I run a charity group that make quilts for children in the care of The Children's Aid Society. It seems like everytime we send our quilts in , we're short of quilts for boys aged 8-14!!!! I just delivered quilts and we were severely lacking in these. Can you suggest a line of fabric or something that might really work, sport novelty has been used, but everyone has a different passion. I'm thinking maybe a black and white that looks like a strips of differnt fabrics. Got any great ideas? Price IS important, can't spend huge amounts. Thanks so much.
Ruth

Black and white quilts are always beautiful, no matter what age the recipient is :D Most scrappy quilt patterns would work well, chinese coins for example. Or other more contemporary styled quilts maybe? :D:D:D

How about cars? Teenage boys usually like cars. Or space?

8 yr old boys love building things. I made a Lego quilt for one grandson. Real eassy use bricks 2"x5 or 6". Lots of red. Original legos red, now lots of different colors.

Anything with wheels is always good. Star Wars. Skateboarding. Wild natural animals - bears, penguins, moose etc. Whales. Music

Good luck & Thank you for giving back to those who need

I always think very basic patchwork done in homespuns are boy friendly like a Log cabins, D9P, warm wishes or just simple squares and rectangles sewn together. I like to go to thrift stores for mens shirts for homespun fabric, can't get much more inexpensive then that!

Designs like Buckeye Beauty or Jacobs Ladder look great done in all blues or browns and tans also make me think of boys quilt. For the younger set of boys, I bet there are panels in whatever is popular for boys at the time, like the movie Cars, Transformers, Yu-Gi-Oh (or however it is spelled), comic book super heroes or perhaps something based on a popular video game. Then you can add patchwork borders ala round robin style to build it out to quilt size. You need to find members in your group with male relatives that age and ask for their input.

These are two quilts that I recently made for nephews of various ages. and the third was for an uncle, mostly it is the colors and the prints that you use that make it better for a male.

I would definitely look at thematic prints at walmart. With my big boys I made dragon quilts. Walmart has dragon, fish, fire, cars, fire department, millitary etc. prints. something all my boys like too is camo.

I like novelty fabric - cars, motorcycles, dogs, airplanes, etc. Rather than cut into pieces for blocks, I like to have a piece about 36 X 42 (something like that, or even larger). Use that as a panel and build around it.

Other then floral or pastel colors, any fabric would be just fine for a boy. Boys like bright colors and contrast.

for pre-teen, you will want to stay away from cartoony looking prints. Go for camo, brights, darks, stripes, wild patterns. wildlife prints would also be good, remember these are young men, not little boys anymore.

Hunting, camping, outdoor things.

I'd try an "I Spy" quilt with 6 or 8" blocks featuring trucks, trains, planes,
sports, animals, etc. etc.

I would go scrappy. Maybe darker colors or black and white, or blues. That should make teen boys happy. And just about any bright scrappy colors for the younger ones

Boy, you guys have given me some wonderful ideas...sometimes it'd hard to think of new things, Some great ideas there, will spread the word to the girls, I think we get stuck on trying to come up with something new!Thanks so much everyone!

I made a Bug Jar Quilt for my great-grandson and it was a big hit.

i would make strip or string quilts for the boys, just leave out the pinks. the strips are small enough, usually no more than 2inch finished, to really tell they are girly.

go to
www.quiltville.com

Bonnie has instructions, stashbusting.. too!
i do use a muslin foundation piece, usually about 1 or 2 inches bigger than i want, then trim it/square it up to size when done.

the half string half solid piece is quick!

I made a red, white and blue log cabin for my son when he was about 11. He is now near 30 and still uses it. (I've patched it a few times).

I just finished a rail fence in browns and blues and a puzzle quilt for two grandsons graduating from High School.

Sewlmatesister. Luvin Quilting has some beautiful quilts that can be made for boys. They are bright and cheery. They look like they would be quick and easy to make. They are in the Pictures section. Enjoy!! Eiltcoq.

debbie mumm has a line of fabric that is fishing and another of ducks and wild animals that seem very "manly" they might like a quilt with them since they are getting to be "too old" for more childish prints. just a thought.

I am also making a quilt for my 1 year old son. I want it to last him for many years and one that he could take to college if he wanted so i made it out of outer space fabric and and the world fabric that watterside used in the second pic. as for patterns that would be good. star patterns are always good for boys. Jinney beyer has some and you could always go with the hunters star. hope this helps.

Our quilt group makes quilts for children who are taken from their homes and families. We use the Churn Dash pattern, using a fussy cut of a child's theme as the center block. It's an excellent way to use up scraps in a positive manner. Your quilts will be loved no matter how they're made.

i would love to see a picture of your lego quilt my sons love legos

when i make boys quilts to donate to charities i go to walmart you can get many difft fat squares there with designs for boys . they have pirates , dogs, cars, diferrnet colors, fish,crossbones and sculls , bandana material too mant to list and the also have cars the thing to do is go to the sewing department and ask them to bring out there stash because they fill the racks but dont put up all of what they have in their shipment. they cost $1.00 and you could make up so many different designs and they children will love it if you need help with this let me know okay

How about some computer fabric ? Any child is into computers ....

Hello,

I have a couple of 1 yard pieces of a fabric called "Best Friends" that features teenage girls. If you will send a PM with your are address information, I will send it to you for the kids.

I meant name and address (sorry)!

Wild animals, robots, cars, tractors, skulls (ugly but boys love them), aliens, spaceships, airplanes, horses, cowboys, tools...many fabric lines available with all of these themes :)

i just went threw my stash and found some mix and match boys material you are more than welcome to it please send you address and i will ship it out to you maybe this will help you out

I would think that action figures, superman, batman, ironman, dirt bikes,muscle cars,etc would work well for that age group along with sports themes would be good.
Hope that helps you.

you guys have been so sweet, I thank You all....some great ideas out there. Just wanted to let you know I'm going away for a few days and don't have access to the net...so if I don't answer it's not cause I don't appreciate all the comments, I just won't be back till Tuesday night!!

denim is great for boys, too--it wears well, and gets softer with each wash. and if you ahve acces to worn out jeans, you can get squares from the lower legs, and use the patch pockets from the back as squares, too. it's fun to "hide" the "hot wheels" in them--or stuff a paperback book into one.

work bandanas would be nice as a top, or applique, too. and there are harry potter prints and panels out there, as well.