Start with something simple...something she likes...you want her to finish her first project to feel successful and want to go on to make more quilts. There are many simple patterns to choose from. Maybe even start with a table-runner or wallhanging/table-topper so it is a smaller project that will get done sooner and not take too long to complete. Second project could be a quilt.

Remember to have some chocolate and all will perfect - especially if she is working with her favorite colors and her selected pattern. Are you taking her shopping first?

Do a sampler quilt. Pick out 6 different easy blocks and have her do each one. She might get bored doing the same block over and over. The beginners quilt classes at our LQS do a sampler quilt with 4 blocks. I thought that was too little. 9 would be even better. You have some good ideas above, choose some and have her do them. She'll know quite a bit when her quilt is finished instead of knowing only one block.

I taught a friend to quilt. We started with a wall hanging size, she wanted a Christmas wall hanging and I had a pattern for an applique (simple fusible applique). So she learned to use steam a seam, blanket stitch around it, and then add a border. Then she was able to do a simple quilting around it and then bound it. Done in one day (she stayed up to finish her binding she told me!).

so she learned a lot that first project and had a finished piece in one day. Really motivated her to keep going. Next we chose a sudoko quilt...again simple squares and then she was able to learn sashing. and she quilted it again herself and voila! Done.

Keep it simple and small for the first thing, what if she finds she doesn't like quilting and has a whole project to finish? something that can be done in one day or two is perfect. Wall hanging, table runner.

Have fun!!!!

Oh I should mention that she immediately then went into a Kaffe Fassett quilt and finished it up in one weekend. She is hooked!!!!

This was actually the way I learned!! It was a 4 block wall hanging but when I went so crazy over piecing the teacher expanded it to 6 blockes. Each block taught a different technique ! I thought we would shop for fabric first then start with simple blocks!! Might have to hunt up my very first quilt!! Lol.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas!! Please keep them coming!!

Is she familiar with her sewing machine? I start all my true sewing beginners on string blocks. They are forgiving on seams (until there is a BIT more confidence...then you don't have to be a task master to start). I taught 3 children from ages 6-12 this summer and we made string blocks till then end. By then they were ready to move on and made pillowcases. They even mastered my serger!

One day when my sister and I were just playing around with her sewing machine, I taught her to make half-square triangles. She was thrilled, and we practiced making several, then arranging them in different designs. That is all it took to get her hooked on making quilt tops. So far, though, she isn't interested in doing the quilting part, except for very small items.

If she has sewn before, she will have the basic consept. So if it were me I would make sure it was not a big quilt to start with. A lap size would be good. Any simple pattern would be good.

When I took lessons, we did a sampler quilt, too. Can't remember whether we did 9 squares or 12.