Welcome to the world of quilting and quilts! There are so many choices to make and directions to go. You will find some great advice and help here on this board. No matter what you decide to do quilting really requires few rules since every time you turn around someone is doing it different. However accurate cutting and sewing 1/4" seams are a must. Then pressing your seams no tucks or folds every thing must be perfectly flat. I like rail fence as a first timers pattern. There are lots of tutorials and u tubes available for that. I wish we lived closer I would love to quilt with you. Make sure your sewing machine is clean and in good working order with a new needle. Hope to see pictures of your progress posted here. My grand daughter is 13 as well and she has made 2 quilts so far. You can always hand piece until you get a sewing machine. Draw your sewing line on the fabric and do a very short running stitch. Good luck!