I have two patterns that are my standbys:

9 patch furrows
and
D9P

3 patch http://www.straw.com/equilters/libra...ick-quilt.html

I had been doing a lot of crumb blocks. But I'm so tired of crumb blocks, they sit in my scrap bag and taunt me, making me feel guilty for not using them when I do decide to cut something from my huge stash.

What are your favorite patterns that is your old standby for quilts?

Both soldier and kids

Oooh, nice quilt. My go to block seems to be pinwheel, sometimes alone, other times combined with other blocks. I like variety and trying new and different patterns so I generally don't really have a standby. All of my quilts go to charity though.

I really like that. The colors are great and the layout gives lots of additional pizazz to it. Since I've made a lot of kits for Quilts for Kids, I've tended to use their patterns, even when it is from my own stash.

This is the pattern from the Quilts For Kids website. I love it because the larger block is 8 inches. You can use a cute novelty fabric without it getting lost into small pieces. I can make this start to finish binding in 5 hours.

Kids love bright colors so I try to use red alot.
Soldier quilts we make as a group so mostly we make stars in red,white,and blue.
Keep up the good work your quilts will be loved.

As long as we're on this subject what is good for preteen and teen boys? I'm having a hard time coming up something and right now that is what places want.

That is definately a problem we have also. The group we donate to is requesting larger quilts suitable for teenage boys.

I'm not even sure what types of quilts that age group likes.

Those of you with teenage boys-what do they like?

I use pinwheel and rail fence alot for my charity quilts. Can use a big variety of color and design. I have no idea about teenage boys.

We did have a request from a Mom who teenage boy was facing serious surgery. He loved racecars and bright purple hearts. The gals did big blocks of dif racing material w/bright tonals and backed in purple heart fabric. It turned out really nice.

I think for the teen and pre-teen boys the fabric is more important than the pattern -- and it is better to do twin sized quilts than the lap size.. For older boys I do more solids or men oriented themes like sports, tools, planes, etc. I also do plaids and avoid florals.

For older boys, I do quilts in blacks, whites, and brights. Actually works for anyone~
Soldier quilts-r/w/b D9P, stars, irish chain, Atkinson Designs patterns :)

I make DP9, 10 minute block, and strip quilts.....fast, easy and a great way to use up scraps. I make quilts for kids using brights and flannels, adding 3D pinwheels wherever possible (the kids love em and is ok with the hospital). For adults, I tend to use natural colors like greens, browns, yellows and oranges.

Quilts for Kids requested quilts for boys awhile back and recently for "teens". I got some fabric with footballs - I think that would work for any age boy. Haven't made it up yet, but I also found some with Spiderman print - red on black.

Yes, avoid the florals and use either sports oriented fabric like bikes, skiing, skateboarding, soccer/football or animals like wolves, bears, deer, or camping fabrics, camo, or any favorite sport, like baseball, basketball, balls, food (pizza, hamburgers), etc. My dad likes John Deere, so I made him a John Deere lap quilt. It turned out great and he was thrilled!!!

I'm focusing now on working on more "boy quilts"...I've definitely left them out of my charity quilts... as I've made mostly girly stuff.

I just did a google on teen boys quilts and found this site. It is ready made bedding but some good ideas. One is camo which I never would have thought of but boys would like it. Here's the link:
http://www.justboysbedding.com/produ...n-boys-bedding

Teenage Boys seem to like black and white quilts.
Younger ones like whatever thier interests are, sports,cars etc.

My go to pattern is Warm Wishes (link on the Project Linus website) I can make it start to finish in a weekend for a large baby quilt.

Can anyone tell me the names of some charities ya'll make quilts for and how to contact them? Thank Ya'll.

Project Linus.org you can search there for local chapters near you.
Birthright.org provide support to pregnant women. Our local group supplies quilts to them which are given to the new moms

Great topic! I'm always looking for quick, easy patterns for donations.

I agree that rail fence is a good pattern for boys and men, as long as you avoid floral patterns and the colors pink and lavender. I can imagine a fun quilt using a camo print and some coordinating fabrics.

While it's a little bit more work, I encourage you to try the hexagonal One Block Wonder idea. Because the design becomes so cut-up and rearranged, all that matters is the colors of the fabric. (You never need disclose the pattern of the "original fabric.")

As for colors, I find that men are most comfortable with browns, greens, blues, grays, and black. Most other colors (tho not pink and lavender) are very acceptable as accents. White and beige are also very acceptable and can be used liberally - as long as they don't dominate.

I sew with a local group that donates to Quilts for Kids
http://www.quiltsforkids.org/ and Quilts of Valor http://www.qovf.org/ You can check the websites to see if there is a local group you can join. And we also have a lady who makes pet beds for her local animal shelter from our shreds and trimmings. So nothing goes to waste.

Local women's shelters can always use quilts and tote bags, local police can sometimes use stuffed animals and quilts to use for children. If you have a veterans hospital, Birthright, nursing homes-check and see if they have a need for quilts. It's very sad that there is such a need, so much pain and suffering, even in our own areas.

Pre-teen and teen boys like all sport...you'd be safest with baseball or football or a print with a mixture of sports for Americans. Camo, outdoor themes like hunting, fishing and wildlife. Since we don't know the boys I'd stick to camo, outdoor scenes and wildlife. They also like either bright colors or manly looking quilts with stripes, plaid etc.
Good luck with your donations!

I made several for Quilts for Kids for teenage boys. I used baseball theme, skateboarder, hockey, motorcycles. I am trying to find time to make a monopoly one. There are finally quite a few prints for older boys now, flames and skulls, etc. I usually audition the fabrics for my grandsons to give me an opinion. Soccer right now is a popular one too.

9-Patch Pizzazz is always a hit, and the 4-Patch Furrows is another, IMHO

Quick question.....What is 9 patch furrows? Sounds interesting. Glenda
Edited to ask....What is 9 patch pizazzzz?

Newbie here - I'm learning so much just lurking! Anyhow, just finished two Quilts for Kids for teen age boys. One was a Warm Wishes quilt using antique car pillow panels for the focus fabric. I find that the warm wishes pattern can be made up in one day for me. The other was a shadow box type quilt using a panel of BMX racers. I have a couple more cut out as kits - a warm wishes using sports theme fabric and the pattern from their site that alternates 4 patches using muscle car fabric and one with hot air balloons.

I don't think I have a "stand by" pattern. I like to make different ones. I Love trying out new patterns.

For teenage boys make jeans rag quilts. Ask for donations of worn out jeans. You would be surprised regarding the replies. Heard one guy drove from Phoenix AZ to Prescott AZ to deliver a bunch of old jeans.

Right now I am hooked on D4P and D9P but that three patch quilt looks real intriguing and I am going to try it....but my all time favorite is to just scrap a whole pile of flying geese units and then at some point piece them into the any number of patterns they will make.

squares with sashing, it is easy, u can use theme fabric and i can make more of them in a year......

Turning Twenty works well for FQs. The pattern book has directions for several different sizes. Plaids, stripes, camo, sports-themed fabrics work well for teenage boys. Also a scrappy 4 patch with bright colors works well.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-130110-1.htm
This is one I did as a quickie, it was 6 hours cut to binding. I like it for kids. Did one in red white and blue with red and blue stripes a while back. Also a good starter for beginners.

9 patch furrows is a 9 patch with 3 colors in a specific way

In the one I posted I used orange, a print and green

imagine a square here:

orange, orange, print
orange, print, green
print, green, green

Actually I did a tutorial, if I can dig it up I'll see about posting it later. It's a pretty fast and cute quilt.

I agree with gramajo - I love the Turning Twenty pattern. I've used it for several quilts.

I do 4 patch alternate with a plain block. Sports fabric is appealing to the teen. Plaids work well too.

Thanks for the ideas

I make a lot of baby quilts and appreciate the pattern suggestions you all have sent. Gives me a chance to make something a little different, thanks

I`ve made several log cabin quilts for boys and they seem to love them.

I find the pattern isn't what makes a difference to me. I always try to use bright "happy" colors as my charity quilts go to those who need "comfort" and happiness in their lives.

I've been making quilts for Quilts for Kids. I love the alternating 4 patch with a focus fabric block....then a 1" border followed by a larger border. Simple, quick AND attractive!!