"Just Can't Cut It" is a pattern that goes together very quickly. Squares are 4 1/2 x 6 1/2; 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 and 12 1/2blocks.

I agree with Artsy Girl - if she likes the style and colors it will be so much more fun for her. It's so much easier even now when I work on something that appeals to me - not that I don't do other things because everyone wants something different.

Rail Fence or Yellow Brick Road would be my input. Both easy , with great learning opportunites. I have taught many a beginner with Rail Fence, but now I would lean toward Yellow brick road... just has a broader appeal.. and more opportunity for great fabric collecting.

I agree with those that have suggested a pattern that she finds interesting. I started knitting with a pattern that was for 'experienced knitters only'. And other than a basic knit/perl stitch am completely self taught. That pattern really appealed to me and that's why I completed it. Same with quilting. Again, completely self taught. I started with a double irish chain. Not difficult but also gave me an opportunity to work on hand quilting which is what I really wanted to do, more than the piecing at that point. Find a couple that she finds appealing and go fabric shopping with her as well to lend some guidance as to color combos, values, etc. After all, that's part of the process as well.

my first quilt was a log cabin and I was totally hooked after that

I'd for sure let her have some say in the pattern----------teacher can judge the difficulty and absolutely have a say in the fabrics.

I taught the daughter of a friend of mine to quilt, and we used this pattern. I had found it free online, can't find it any longer, and didn't it show up in "Quilters' Newletter Magazine"! I'm not sure whether the published pattern was by the same person, or the person who submitted the design just added a border to the free pattern, but in any case, the center is the very same, and was very easy for a beginner to learn. http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/ar...ern_Brick_Wall

Turning Twenty is a good one. Takes 20 fat quarters. Very easy. Turns out great!

Is she wanting to learn the piecing, the quilting, or the whole shebang?

A lady in our guild teaches a beginners class and uses the Churn Dash block. They learn both cutting squares and triangles and how to sew both. I personally like the Friendship Star. My first quilt was a log cabin Eleanor Burns way. There are a lot of 9 patch variations, maybe a sampler of various 9 patches. Large blocks on a small quilt would make it doable and not overwhelming.