First Quilt
 

2 of my daughters are coming to spend a week with me in Feb. to learn how to quilt... I am so excited that they want to learn their mothers hobby. Any suggestions for a beginners quilt that will be easy yet not look to simple. I was thinking maybe Turning Twenty or something along that line. Want them to learn how to match corners etc. But not so hard that it would discourage them... Thanks for any help.

I am sure you will get tons of replies . I would suggest looking at the many videos on MSQC . Jenny doan makes it so fun . She shows her patterns using precuts , however if cash is an issue you could cut them all yourself . The BQ by maple island also has complicated looking patterns that are very easy .

Rail Fence!

Warm Wishes – it's so easy and looks complicated, plus the whole quilt goes together quickly.

Disappearing 9 patch

I love the disappearing nine patch. Missouri Star Quilt Co is wonderful for quick easy quilts. Best wishes and lots of Fun!

warm wishes might be an easy beginner quilt, or log cabins always look more complicated than they are. My first was a rail fence and then a log cabin

I really think a rail fence would be a good first project since it would give them lots of practice on 1/4" seams and not so many corners to match. That would give them something that they could complete fairly quickly and successfully for a first experience.

It depends on whether they have a sewing machine. My first quilt was a 9 patch - all hand pieced, both sides of a queen sized quilt. It took 5 yr to finish. I don't suppose people have that much patience today, so hopefully, there's a sewing machine.

Some other quick blocks include snowball - could do a snowball alternating with 9 patch; pinwheels; ....

Rail fence, DP9 patch and warm wishes are all great ideas!!!!

I'd go for a Rail Fence as well.

I would have them start looking at ideas and then run them by you to see if they are "beginner " patterns or not , a lot may depend on the fabrics they may choose as well . I love to plan so I had to chip in again lol
Be sure and let us know how it goes and of course take lots of pics for us !

I like all the BQ patterns. They look complicated but are easy to do. The blocks are good sized, they'd get practice in sashing and matching corners. Because of the big blocks, it goes together quickly.

A simple, small sampler using Rail Fence, Log Cabin, and a Nine Patch--making 3 of each and putting them together their own way would be fun.

Yellow Brick Road is a great beginning pattern.

Double Irish Chain is easy and makes a beautiful quilt, or a Churn Dash block, each one in a different colorway, but with same back ground fabric.

If they aren't real confident sewers... just buy some charm packs and sew scrappy style, or no particular order. That way they can get the feel of the process and go through all the steps. If you have a stash of some yardages that look nice... they can cut their own. Bigger pieces are more forgiving than small. If they are up to it Yellow Brick Road is a great beginner quilt.

http://www.incolororder.com/2011/08/...-tutorial.html

I'm in the middle of this one, I am adding boarders to it in order to make it a queen size, but the basic star goes together in no time and is easy to cut and sew for beginners.

Daughter did a Quilt-in-a-Day quilt from a book the same title when she was eleven (she preceded me quilting by twenty years!). I do not remember if "in a day" including the cutting of the pieces. It was beautiful. And very adult.

How old are your daughters? Age will make a big difference in your choices. If they're young then precut and simple is the way to go, if older then ask them what they would like. Maybe talk to them in advance to make sure you have fabric in the colors they like available (more time sewing and less time shopping) and maybe pick a few beginner patterns to have ready for them to choose from.
Rodney

Don't discount the jelly roll race quilt pattern. It can be quite striking and it's very easy for a beginner.

Turning Twenty, Yellow Brick Road and Just Can't Cut It have been firsts for me... I guess it would depend on each of their tastes... as far as patterns go.

I realize that this comment reflects the teacher in me. The real question: Do they want to learn to quilt or do they want to make a quilt? If they want to make a quilt (in the time available) then select a pattern that is straight line sewing and joining that requires no points or special combinations. That gives the opportunity to do 1/4 inch seams (and is very forgiving) pressing, sandwiching and simple straight line quilting. A very simple binding technique would be to bring the backing fabric to the front and stitch it down. Now, if the goal is to 'learn to quilt' perhaps a sampler type quilt is in order. Provide them with a book with lots of techniques and squares using those techniques. If buying books is too costly, make one of your own by downloading information that is readily available on the internet. Have them construct small quilts, sandwich them (don't forget Elmer's school glue) quilt in a simple manner and teach them to bind in the traditional manner. This is a n opportunity for fun and fellowship sans frustration. Meet them 'where they are' and whet their appetites for a life-long passion. It sounds like you already have it.

Loved your answer quilterpurpledog. Over the years with friends and nieces, it's been wanting to make a quilt , not learn to quilt. After the first couple of times, I learned to ask that question, It saved a whole lot of time for us both.

I started a quilt with my 11 yr. old GD (before she had to go home over 100 miles away)... and kept the squares manageable... each to be 9" finished. We used her choice of scraps of colors (purples) in my meager stash...

Start with one patch: simple 9.5" square; next is a two-patch: 2 - 5"x9.5" sewn together; next split rail fence with 3 sections; next a 4 patch which now gets into matching corners, but simply... and then you can get more creative... when they see how one patch goes next to another (or get into those sashing strips... ) they will be hooked!!

Of course a smooth running machine(s) and plenty of thread is a must.
GD not only had to learn piecing but measuring, and some cutting and how to run a machine! She caught on very quickly but we still need to put these together and make it a true quilt... in time.

Good luck and most of all, have fun!

They are wanting to learn to quilt so that when I die they will be able to utilize all my stash and notions etc... LOL
They didn't say that is why, that is me talking... Anyway they are 51 and 52 years old... I spoke to them yesterday and we decided that they are going to go to Quilterscache website and pick out 12 blocks and make a sampler. That way they will be able to learn to make HST, Flying geese, log cabin etc. Getting excited for Feb. to come so that I can have this retreat with my daughters... They invited my 3rd daughter that lives in CO but told her if she is not interested in learning to quilt she cannot come... I think she should come so that she can cook and wait on us... What do you think?

I like 9-patch blocks paired with snowball blocks for making simple, fast quilts. Mary Ellen Hopkins always said she made simple blocks but picked fabulous fabrics - it's worked for me. There are so many simple blocks out there, I'd go to quilter'scache.com for ideas, as well as Jenny on MSQC or you tube. The possibilities are endless.

Disappearing Nine Patch or Disappearing Four Patch

Eleanor burns books on log cabins using the stripping method is the best for beginners... !! rail fence is a good one too!! Yellow brick road quilt is another easy quilt pattern...
Have fun with them .... and set up the sewing area with all the supplies needed and of course lots of hugs!!
Enjoy!!
Quiltinmama

I agree with the others that have said a rail fence. And I think a simple quilt of 4 1/2" squares (or whatever size you prefer) is an easy & pretty quilt, too. It's simple to cut & you get the practice of nesting up your seams. Then you can add a pretty border or two to dress it up.

Warm Wishes I would imagine would be a great beginner's quilt. Free instructions on Quiltmaker.com

My daughter came to visit in October to learn to quilt. I had recently bought another sewing machine and told her she could have it. I had bought a jelly roll for her to practice 1/4 inch seams which is IMO the most important thing in piecing quilts. I helped her with that and discovered I did not like the jelly roll sewing. Gets twisted at the ends of the rows. Showed her how to do straght line quilting, how to sandwich the quilt(I use spray basting) and it went a lot easier with two people. Also showed her how to bind (I sew 2 1/2 " strips to the back of quilt and bring it over to the front, all machine stitching) And showed her a few tricks with the machine, like the self threading feature and self cutting. The back stitch button seemed to work better for her. She has since made several quilts at home, sends me email pics on her i pad and we have long conversations about how to do certain techniques. I already told her when I die, she can have the contents of my sewing room. That being said, I don't have to worry about who gets my fabric and I feel no guilt about buying more fabric. You and your girls should have a lovely visit.

9 Patch is so versatile, I love a double 9 Patch for a beginner or an on point 9 patch

My granddaughter currently 12 has been sewing by hand for a couple of years making pillow cases for mu husbands "knee" pillow & wallets ect. Now that Gammy has started learning to quilt she has taken that up too. I have to say I have made 3 quilts from kits so far...but she is on her 2nd little quilt from her own mind no kit, no pattern, she is good. Makes her Gammy look bad lol. She is waiting for me to finally give her my old sewing machine. So I guess I need to break down & start using one of my other 3 old machines and give Ol Faithful to her.

I think rail fence is such an old pattern that if it was me I would choose turning twenty a pattern with straight lines but newer looking.

Warm Wishes is a rail fence, just with solid blocks between. Easy and fast.

Double Irish chain was my first ones and I loved it!!

Disapearing 9 patch is easy, but it looks harder than it is.

I think this pattern is one of the best for a beginner.

Your daughters are a little older than I thought. ;) That's good. They will have the attention span to finish any quilt they start. You just need to concentrate on technique and not worry too much about picking patterns or fabrics for them. I think once they see some of their quilts come together the learning will be pretty quick. Enjoy your visit with them.
Rodney