I'm going to whine a little, just because I know I can talk to all of you. I have 2 grandsons, perfect in every way, of course. Since starting to quilt, I decided to make quilts for them. Patrick is 3, almost 4, and Ben is almost 2. I'm making Pat's first, since he is now is a twin size bed. He likes construction trucks, and can name all the vehicles. I found some fabric related to construction, so I bought what they had, and have gotten some coordinating fabric along the way, but I don't think I have enough to make the quilt a true twin size. So here's the whining. Most of the fabric out there for little boys is related to sports or dogs. The boys aren't really into sports yet, and they have cats, not dogs. Also, many of the fabrics are more feminine in pattern and color, so I've had a difficult time. I have looked at different stores, and websites, but I haven't been very successful. The fabrics that are the main pieces in Pat's quilt are from Timeless Treasures and Michael Miller fabrics from a couple years ago. but in checking their websites, they don't seem to be making anything along those lines anymore. I just wish there were more designers who would keep little boys in mind, and realize that not all boys are sports minded. Anyway, I''m done whining. I know I'll figure something out, I may have to incorporate his other love, trains.
Julie

Julie,
I have 4 grandsons (ages 1-9) and one little granddaughter. I've made them all 'little' quilts for using in front of the television for for curling up with when reading a book with grandma. :wink:
For two of the boys I bought fish fabric, for another grandson the fabric was a jungle print with lots and lots of animals and leaves and the other grandson got monkeys. I used colors from the focus fabrics and just did a simple nine patches and alternated them with blocks of the focus fabrics. Then I bought the wildest fabrics I could find to put on the backs of the quilts. The quilts were bright and cheery and are well loved!

Some magazine, I can't remember which one now, had patterns for trucks to piece. They made a cute quilt. Hmm. Which magazine were they in? I'll look but I think they got tossed during a recent cleaning frenzy here. I don't know if this helps at all or not. I still want to make the bug jars for one of those boys. Have you thought of having your grandson draw a picture of some trucks and incorporating the drawings into the quilt? There are a lot of possibilities out there. Design your own trucks. After all a truck is just a rectangle with some circles for wheels. Add another square up front for the cab. Keep looking and don't give up.
Check out the children's coloring book too.

http://209.200.122.122/detail.cfm?pid=5636&CFID=19984&CFTOKEN=43724505

Check the above out. Truck pattern. I knew I'd seen it somewhere. Enjoy!

Julie ... are you handy with clip art? If you are, you can find several different CDs, at any store selling computer software, that are loaded with clip art - usually for under $10 per CD. Softkey, in particular, puts out some pretty good collections.

point being that you're bound to find trucks and other equipment in those collections. you can resize them and print them to cut apart as applique templates.

as time goes by, you'll probaby find yourself going back to the same CD(s) over and over again to make templates of other things, too.

What about changing it a little to a :trains, planes, and automobile theme??

Thanks to all. Yvonne, went to the website and I love that quilt. I have gone about this quilt the wrong way and now I know what to do. Patrice, my 23 year old son is impressed that I am even using the message board, since he thought I only knew how to check my e-mail. He's not too far wrong. And bbwalkup, I think I am going to bring in his other loves too. Happy quilting!

Julie,
Check out Virginia Quilter fabrics. Look under Kids fabrics. They have some really cute stuff there.
I'm glad you've got a plan. I hate to make decisions. But once a plan is in place look out! Remember to post a picture. We're all anxious to see what you come up with.
Yvonne :wink:

Let me know if you'd like me to make you some pages you can print and cut up for templates. wouldn't take me very long. i could post them here so anybody else who wanted them could have them, too.

Patrice, If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I would certainly appreciate it. Thanks.

Patrice is so right, applique is the way to go. I've blocked my head with crazy one way thinking so often. It's great we have somewhere to come to now to find other solutions and for inspirational ideas, isn't it? I have 2 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, and 1 great grandson, so I know exactly where you are coming from.

One of the places where I've been able to find some good novelty prints for boys AND girls is the nicer church sponsored salvage or flea market stores. I found a wonderful blue background with lttle guys in different occupation hats to describe all the ways they could find jobs. lol lol

Sharon

Sometimes there is a better selection of kids novelty prints in the flannels.