I would love to have some opinions of what type of quilt pattern/block a teenager would love. Are they into contemporary ? I am unsure a traditional quilt would be appreciated as much as a design a teen would love. Any of y'all out there have teenage granddaughters, or daughters - if so, what do they tell you. Thanks.

We're raising our granddaughter and she's happy with any quilts.

My teen girls are both more interested in the design on the fabric than the actual quilt design so when I get theirs done, it'll probably be very simple. I'm planning to do them with the Fun and Done method so probably just 4 patches with the sashing/backing in between.

My kids (20's) and the teens in the family all prefer contemporary quilts with contemporary fabrics.
Batiks, hand dyes, no florals, but most of anything else will work LOL :D:D:D

It really depends on the teen. I always preferred traditional, even as a teen.

I made a tetris quilt for my sister in her 20's because she loves video games :)

A friends' granddaughter turned 12 in the hospital, being treated for leukemia. She likes bright colors, but NO pink. I found some great brights at Walmart and whipped together a warm wishes. She loves it. It really does depend on the person!

They'll love anything you make them! (because you cared enough to do it!) A lot of teens like the bright modern fabs....I wouldn't go too detailed...just choose a color they like and you can't fail!

My best friend's daughter is 14 and she wants hot pink with zebra for the one I'm going to make her.

My DD wants a quilt in "Harry Potter colors".

Hoo boy.

She's 13. And something tells me that I will not be able to change her mind either! :?

My 4-H students are enjoying the kaleidescope effects. A simple 4 repeat to make a block, with a little sashing, seems to fascinate them. I don't get as complex as the OBW for them. I also try to stay focused on their favorite colors and their hobbies. One of our graduating seniors is into pink. (Even has her pick-up truck is painted pink.) She raises horses and is the teen leader of the horse club. The quilt I have planned for her has pink horses galloping off into the blazing pink/orange/blue sunset. Rabbits for the leader of the Bunny club, musical instruments and notes for the boy who mastered in Band. They are all pretty much individualized. Then, there are the collage prints . . . No GA Tech for the kid who plans to live in the dorm at UGA. Except for the youth who have been close to a quilting family, I find that their eyes do not "see" the complexity of pieced patterns. By keeping it simple, in their colors, with prints which talk to them, they are far more appreciative.

My 15 yr old daughter is really into the zebra print with hot pink.

Kids seem to like t-shirt quilts, denim quilts and most anything nice and bright.

My 16 year old grand daughter loves anything Japanese or Asian. So I am making her a Japanese lantern pattern quilt.

My 11 year old grandson wants 'red, black and white' and 'flames'. That one will be a challenge...but I have a plan!

This is what I made for my 19yr old daughter. she and her friends LOVE it. It's a simple 3 piece 12" block. (My own design) I think I used something like 15 different black and white prints.

Brights and prints are good. My 16 year-old daughter loves hot pink and lime green!

I would avoid traditional quilts. A focus fabric depicting their passion is a good idea....cats, dogs, skating, surfing, Harry Potter, etc.

Thank you so much (Pocoellie, gale, amma, Mattee, Kryssa, Lynn, Chigger Holler, sandraa, Favorite Fabrics, olebat, mbogenpohl, Iclang,cathyvv and gotthebug) you have really been helpful. I know she likes bright colors and I am going to go with that. Her Mom says she likes clothes from "Hot Topic" in the Mall. I went there and there is all sort of themes on T-shirts, hoodies etc. I will check out what theme she is in to and possibly try to find some fabric on that line. Or, stick with contemporary as suggested. THANKS AGAIN! LOVE THE QUILT PICS!

Our teenage nieces and nephews all got traditional, simple patterns using fabrics related to their interests (motorcycles, music, guitars, "retro" ) and they all loved them. We used alternating 4-patch, D9P, Friendship Star, and YBR.

Also tonight I purchased a book at Jo-Ann called "City Quilts." The designs are very modern-looking and use solid or near-solid fabrics. I thought they would make good guy quilts, but I think many teenagers would enjoy them too.

Merry Christmas.

Darren

It all depends on the receivers. When I made my biscuit quilt my neices LOVED and wanted it. Then when I was working on my cathederal window quilt they were begging for that one. If you can find out what colors and interests they like, you could incorporate those into to any quilt even traditional. Are you able to let the girl/girls help you pick out their own fabrics and pattern? The more involved they can become the more they will love and appreciate it. My son helped me pick out a pattern and fabric for his quilt and he still wants that one over all my others. You really can't put all teenagers in the same catagory. Some will like traditional and others contemporary. Some will love pink, for instance, and others hate it.

I'll check on that book City Quilts, sounds like something my daughter also would like. She does not like traditional quilt patterns. My Granddaughter wants a quilt to include colors of her bedroom walls - chocolate brown, lime green and a pale blue, 3 colors. Now if they had fabric that represents "texting on a cell phone", that would represent my Granddaughter perfectly...ha..ha..
Merry Christmas to you also - God Bless our Troops!

I'd go with a simple design but really bright and bold colorful fabrics....my son's favorite is not exactly a "real" (pieced/applique) quilt at all----it's a great basketball fabric on the front and a coordinating solid on the back, with just enough quilting to hold it together.

My greatgrandkids love fabrics but their choice one like music si I used music fabrics with some red his favorite color another loves that camouflauge fabric so used that and they think they are great don't worry about the pattern let them pick what they like

My 20 year old who is very stylish, is crazy over Kaffe Fassett quilts and fabrics. She didn't start even liking quilts till I made her one of those. I'm sure any of the contemporary fabrics would be a good choice. Have you seen the Glorious Color web site? I bought a kit which I think is an economical way to go. Now she appreciates most quilts and would cherish any that her momma makes!

Who knows. I have a 17 yr old GD and it changes so fast I can't keep up.

One g.daughter likes purple, pink and wild fabrics. The other wants a quilt with the colors of the college she will attend.

My DGD said ,I sure wish I had been around during Flower Power days, I made a bright fabric big block quilt and then Appliqueed large petal flowers all over it in random spots. She loves it.

I've made several quilts for my daughtet and her friends for graduation gifts. They all seem to prefer more contemporary quilts. I used a lot of Maple Island Quilts pattern. They are really unique and simple to piece.

I'm with Darlene516 check out some of Debbie Bowles designs. Her book Dorm Quilts is worth a look.
http://www.mapleislandquilts.com/quiltingbooks.asp

My 13 yr old would like Sculls and cross bones....but that won't be coming from me! I would make something bright cheery and colors that she wears or are in her room.

One year I took her to the fabric store and asked her what she liked. It was a little overwhelming to her and I didn't get much from her.

What colors does she usually wear? And in what combinations? That is usually a great clue of her favorite colors. Don't get too complicated with the pattern. She'll focus more on the color and color combinations you choose. Good luck!

My teenage daughters and granddaughters all have different tastes. I'm going to say it depends on the person.

I made a traditional for my GS to take to college and he was really pleased with it.

If I were going to do this, I would choose something modern over tradition, maybe in school colors, or in the colors of a sports team. Does this teenager have a hobby? Or a great love? That makes it even easier. Incorporate something that makes it personal to them. I think the last part is more important than the design.

My twelve year old GD chose Josephs Coat in teal,lime and navy with WOW background. Semi traditional.

My 18 year old DD likes funky and/or bright fabric and the yellow brick road pattern. Great easy fast pattern and doesn't take much fabric to make.

If you ask them what they like and show them some of your stash, they will probably come up with some ideas. Also, something that personalizes it such as their initails, picture printed with computer, favorite sport, etc.

This is great - I love it!

My nieces and nephews seem to like potato chip quilts, can't think of the other name. You take a fabric they really like pick out a bunch of colors that go with it and make 9 patches out of them,in pleasing combinations, then make squares and rectangles that are divisional sizes of the nine patches. so if your 9 patch is 6 inches your focus fabric patches would be 6x6, 6x9, 9x9, 9x12, 12x12, 12x15,.... then you lay them out in a pleasing fashion. They always choose this pattern when asked to choose one. They are a lot of fun to make, fast and very easy to quilt.

my oldest is 14 and she likes anything we make her. I think it's all about the thought of them getting something that was specially made for them. Her only request is for her next quilt to have a minkee backing.