Help Choosing Quilts
 

My son is VERY involved with a lady that has three kids. They are almost 14, just turned 12 and 6.5 years old. I would like to make each a quilt for Christmas, but I have no idea what kids these ages like. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

I am retired, so I think I can get them done before Christmas if I start right away. But I am stumped.

I'd ask your son what each one likes or is interested in. Do the have any hobbies or favorite activities? You might also ask about favorite colors. This should give you some idea where to start.

When trying to purchase Christmas gifts for my cousin's children when they were young, I used to go to toy stores and find kids about my cousin's kids ages and ask them what they'd like for Christmas. I worked pretty well.

Boys? Girls?

You definitely need to ask your son or the mother of the kids regarding their interest. For little boys I would say you cannot go wrong with Star Wars. Or if the 6 yr. old is a girl - Disney Princess usually hit the mark. But you don't really know until you ask. My eldest daughter was never into pink when she was little - she isn't now either - but she was in to Disney and she loved sports, so I made her a Charger quillow when she was in the 6th grade and she was thrilled. So you don't know until you ask.

Oh sorry, boy (14), girl (12), girl (6.5).

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...w-t283907.html


http://www.modabakeshop.com/2016/10/...ows-quilt.html


The dissapearing pinwheel could be to much to fiddle around with in my opinion. Because you are a bit pressed for time. Check out the moda bake shop, different skill levels different items, not just quilts.

God bless your heart for such wonderful consideration and care. You can do it!

http://tatteredgarden.blogspot.com/2...-tutorial.html


Snappy bags are always appreciated and easy to do. Watch the tutorials from the Gourmet quilter I like her teaching.

I made three boys about the same ages a tied fleece quilt of their favorite sport team logo and colors. The youngest got race car prints. They are almost grown and still use them. I found the wide fleece online. Boys are not that into quilts other then on their bed but a big blanket they will use and take with them to campouts and such. Girls love the fleece quilts too.

I made my grandson who os 14 a zipper quilt from MSQC and he loved it, I used really bright colors and black for the background. The quilt was really easy and fast to make.

I agree with joyce blint ask your son what the kids are interested in and go from there..Maybe they like a certain color that you could use in a quilt for them.. Good luck..

Don't go it alone! Definitely ask Mom b4 you shop, then you gift will be loved. I like the fleece idea.

check out MSQC's Big Wonky Star--it's in one of their BLOCK books (Fall, ??) it's very quick to make using layer cakes and a bit of a solid for the star & points and binding. And would be easy to quilt on DSM. I timed myself doing it at about 4 hrs. to piece cause was working with beginners making it. Even they got it done in one day. MSQC also sells the pattern as a seperate pattern for $5. Think you could make ones that each would like using layer cakes that match their interests/colors

I, too, second the motion for fleece. Quick and easy and very appropriate for kids those ages. I received the JoAnn's flyer yesterday and they are going to have it 70% off with the Christmas sales coming up. You can do the double layer with the edges tied or use a single layer and utilize the punch rotary cutter and crochet around the edge. Lots of choices on the bolts of fleece and probably will be just as appreciated by kids. Mom will appreciate the easy care.

Starting with a panel in something each is interested in would be an idea. Or maybe a scrappy quilt made with 5" squares in their colors.

While novelty fabrics are fun, kids may outgrow them. For the boys I would suggest solids or geometric fabrics and the girls you can go a little more femine if you want. My son seldom uses his quilted throw at home but when going to camp this summer wanted to take it with him. A little love to take along��

How about jelly roll quilts? They are fast and pretty. I have several!

I'm a Double Slice Layer Cake lady myself - they go together so quickly and it works equally well with big and small prints. Check in with Mom to see what their favorite colors and themes are, and pick layer cakes (or fabric collections you can cut down yourself) that suit their preferences.
https://youtu.be/jxC-0T5lXw4

Retired bus driver here, those fleece quilts are always a hit, maybe their school colors or favorite sports team, I see them all the and kids like things that can snuggle up with

I made 5 quilts for the kids of one of my water aerobics teachers. The kids are ages 5-18, 2 girls and 3 boys. I asked her their favorite colors for the younger 4. The 2 girls like purple and green, the 2 younger boys like blue. For the older boy I used a darker palette of batiks. They all loved their quilts and they use them every day according to their mom.

You are very kind to think of making something for the children. I am sure your son will be thrilled that you are thinking of them too. How about a Warm Wishes quilt (which is an easy to make quilt) with your focus fabric in something of each of their interests. I agree with the QB members and maybe ask the children's mother about what they like. Good luck and kudos to you. Keep us posted and pictures too.

Fleece quilts is, I think, a great idea, especially since you are pressed for time. Once you find out what they like you can choose sports or cars or character fabrics for each.

I would seize the opportunity to make a great connection with the mother of these children! It is a great chance for bonding. To ask your son (nice idea) misses the mark. You are to be commended for wanting to do this but the input from someone who will be a part of your family would be a giant step in the right direction.

Jelly roll race 2 would be quick and you could do black grey and white with black squares for the older boy. Same for the older girl, but use bright colors for the squares. For the little girl, use pastels.

Last year I made a D9P with Star Wars fabric for a boy from our church who's family was moving. My husband asked if I had enough of the Star Wars fabric to make a quilt for him, too. Apparently, you can't go wrong with Star Wars, no matter what age the boy is... :)https://www.pinterest.com/pin/535083999453558219/

I recently have fallen in love with Villa Rosa Quilt patterns. I made 3 of them, at a weekend retreat. Cloud Nine went together really quickly and is great for working from your stash. And the patterns run between $2-$4 each, depending on where you buy them! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/497155246345518729/ It would be great for the older girl.

The little girl will likely love something with princesses, so buy a panel if you can and make it easy on yourself.

How about quillows? They fold up into a pillow when they aren't being used as a cover. I think there may even be a tutorial on Youtube. Good luck with your project.

I have the same thing happening at my house. My daughter's significant other is bringing his two children for the Christmas holidays. 5 & 7 I'm not as ambitious as you, I'm making them one I Spy quilt. This dovetails with the ISpy book my daughter is getting one of them. It helped that rbweise was having an ISpy swap and 80 different 5" squares are showing up at my house any day now.

Ask, Ask what they would like. Think twice about using blue and pink. Many kids aren't thrilled with that.

I'd do the fleece this year for a quicky....and save making a quilt for when you have more time, and know them better, and for a special occasion.

For the older ones, unless there is something that they are over the top involved in (fishing, a sport), I would say stick with a favorite color. If the 14 year old is a boy, a pretty safe bet is blacks and greys or the chocolate brown shades. I would do them in a very linear type pattern. This will still be appropriate as he gets older (my kids took their quilts to college with them). The youngest may have a favorite disney or marvel character you could build around. I would do them in throw size so they are 'portable'.

I have 2 DGS's one loves Star Wars and the other Cars. I would ask. At the age of 14, boys (girls, too) can be very picky. Also colors to match their favorites is a good idea. Better get that machine warmed up. Only a month before Christmas. Hope you reach your goal. I think that is a very good idea. A quilt is something they can use forever.
Sue

I'm doing the same thing.. Jelly roll race is fast and fun, then I put their name on with applique or enbroidery,
My 13 year old grandson saw what I was doing and said he wanted one too!

My 8 & 5 yr old grandsons and their 12 yr old male cousin like the superhero. There are some great panels available with matching fabric. Panels are fast and easy. If the younger one is a girl, anything girly. And again panels are a great fast fix. Check out the panels on equilter.com and other fabric sites. There are tons available.

Thanks everyone. I love all your suggestions. I will ask their mom when they get back after Thanksgiving. Also, as I do have a time crunch, someone suggested I just make pillow cases. I thought that might be a good way to go this year and maybe the quilts for next year.

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How about a large tumbler block quilt? I just finished one for a Christmas donation for a family and it went together pretty quick. I put fleece on the back so its really snuggly.. sorry the picture isn't better