Teaching a child to quilt...what's next?

My 7 yo grand daughter quilting. SHe is loving it! Last weekend we made a animal theme quilt..forgot to take a picture of it...but I just did a panel in the center of cheetahs and then using animal print charms...just did a row around the panel and then binding. It was about 24x24 give or take and she said she wanted one for her larger dolls, but ended up loving it so much she said she'd use it herself!

She did great sewing the charms together, remembering the 1/4th allowance and I also had her using thread heads to start the stitching. We didn't have alot of time...but we did it in about 3-4 hours,

Now..what's next? She wants to make a big one for herself, I am guessing little smaller than a twin size. I won a contest for some fabric and I am going to let her choose what fabric...but I am wondering what design/pattern I should have her do. What is the next step from just straight sewing charms together? I figure I can cut the fabric to 3" squares so there is more of a pattern option than just charms, and I thought HST's but I think that might be pushing it. She catches on quickly and likes it but seems to get a little distracted cause it is like..."i've done that, now bored with it..so can we please move on?" kind of thing. She wont' leave the machine, but fiddles with things while I was doing the pressing and asking "what's next?".

Anyone got any suggestions on a pattern that is more than just sewing charms/squares together but not so complicated that we dont' have enough time to finish it in say maybe a weekend. She loves it but I dont' think she'll sit at the machine for hours on end like I and we can!

Only one I can think of is maybe a log cabin. But..I also have to have something that will go with the fabric she chooses. I don't know about that yet, I asked her mother to let her call me and she hasn't bothered yet so I dont' know if she will choose cutesey, formal, cartoons, strawberries or what.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Why don't you let her do a disappearing 9 patch? My 8 year old grandson was fascinated with that idea!

I JUST finished watching one of Jenny's tutorials on quilting with kids! She did it with her grandaughter and I think it's a snowball??
It was very cute. Here is the link:

http://quiltingtutorials.com/all/qui...nowball-block/

Great idea Jean -- it's still sewing the 1/4" to reinforce that and will give the wow factor. You are a great grandmother helping here learn a life-long skill of sewing. I really like hearing that the kids are getting into this.

(((Jean your 8 year old Grandson too)))) Good for you! I will try with my 13 year old when he comes in from Mexico, Missoui for spring break and give it my best to entice him too.

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

Why don't you let her do a disappearing 9 patch? My 8 year old grandson was fascinated with that idea!

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That's what I was thinking, Jean. I explained this technique to an OB Doc at work. She was blown away by the DP9! Like a 'magic trick' blown away!
I can't wait for my 4 month-old GD to get to this age! I SO envy you, Cheri!
And when she's seven, I RETIRE. WOOHOO!

D9P is good, or you can have her go around charms with JR strips. Either way, you are well on your way to getting her hooked.

I agree with the DP9...should keep her attention where it needs to be...and watching what happens when it is cut and sewn back together might fascinate her enough to keep her attention from wandering too far!

My son (8 Yrs old) started a couple of weeks ago with a mug rug. He is now working on sewing together strip sets with a 1/4 foot for the piece out pattern in Jenny's magazine. We are making that for Dad. He is very proud of himself. He sews for about 20 minutes then leaves. He is using my good machine so I stay close by, OK right next to him and he hates that. I usually don't hover but I can't seem to help it.

This is all very mysterious because we are working on it in secret. This is going to be a big surprise for Dad. We are thinking Easter, or Father's Day but planning on his birthday in July. It just depends on how long it holds his interest.

why not a sampler quilt and then she won't get bored? a Log cabin, DP9P, square within a square etc etc. A couple each of those blocks and she will have a quilt top

the crafty gemini is teaching her 3 year old son to sew and quilt he asked for a sewing machine for christmas. His also making a quilt for the local quilt show he asked vanessa to show him how to quilt coz he wants to enter into the show and she said there isnt any winners all the kids are given ribbons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8nDd...drFdA&index=10

I like Divine Daisy's idea! No room for boredom and very simple blocks to make.

My granddaughter and I are going to use this easy tutorial. She has picked out her bandanas and we are ready to roll!

http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/photos.../img_7201.html

I love that. My son has been collecting fat quarters so this is the perfect thing for him to make his first by himself quilt.

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Originally Posted by Carolyn23

My granddaughter and I are going to use this easy tutorial. She has picked out her bandanas and we are ready to roll!

http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/photos.../img_7201.html

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Originally Posted by WendyI

I JUST finished watching one of Jenny's tutorials on quilting with kids! She did it with her grandaughter and I think it's a snowball??
It was very cute. Here is the link:

http://quiltingtutorials.com/all/qui...nowball-block/

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Hey, that tut said they were going to show the finished quilt with Annie when it was done. Do you know where it is?

My mom taught me to sew block pillows and other block stuff when I was 5. I would sit in her lap and she would help me guide the material

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Originally Posted by Lissau

the crafty gemini is teaching her 3 year old son to sew and quilt he asked for a sewing machine for christmas. His also making a quilt for the local quilt show he asked vanessa to show him how to quilt coz he wants to enter into the show and she said there isnt any winners all the kids are given ribbons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8nDd...drFdA&index=10

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That was so adorable! I subsribe to her channel and she has lot's of great tuts.!