Teaching a 12 year old to quilt..need help!

I don't know if you saw my posts about teaching my grandkids to sew this weekend. My DGD is going on 7 and my DGS just turned 8. We did start with charm squares. I marked the 1/4" seam line with a Frixon pen so they could follow a line. First I got her used to the process of putting the fabric in, presser foot down, sew to the end, presser foot up, turn the wheel to release. She picked up on the process quickly. Her brother wanted to do it also. I had bought her a Hello Kitty sewing machine made by Janome, and it was exactly like one I found at Hancock about a year ago for $89. So they sat side by side sewing their charm squares together, it was so cute. They really got the process down very well.

What about a turnover quilt with jellyroll borders around the two sides of the turnover? She could do the pink and black thing. I think MSQC has a sample of this using the black and yellow line (Lemon Tree) somewhere on the website or Facebook posts. And the jelly roll quilts are so fun to make and a little deviation in seam width won't throw the whole thing into a disaster. And I made lots of quilts using 8-1/2" squares made into half square triangles to make any number of designs with the triangles. If you look at my albums, you can see some samples. Good luck with it.

What about a simple purse pattern? She could make a bag that she could carry books in at school, or use as a purse. That way it would be simple sewing, but something she could show off.

I haven't read everyone's comments yet, but I'm working with my 11 YO DGD and one of the most exciting things for her was going and picking out the fabric that she liked. Then I showed her several simple patterns and demo'd the D9P for her on other fabrics and she decided on that one. She also made the decision as to how the pieces would go together (there are several ways) and picked the patterns to go in each of the 9 spots. Believe me, she sounds just like your granddaughter so I think this would work for her, too. Remember - let HER pick out her own fabric.

Oh, and to get her to sew straight lines I had her practice with an unthreaded needle and sewing along the lines on notebook paper. She even said how much easier it was for her than to try it even with the 1/4 inch foot.

I agree with the other ladies about letting her help with choosing the fabric, but then I would insist that she let me do the rotary cutting - but that's just my opinion - you do what's right for you. Hope all goes well and she finds it a blast!

It sounds like you have an exciting summer lined up for both of you! I was thinking of the D9P - where she could piece together the 9 patch and then cut apart and then put together again. Not really too boring and if the seams don't match up it won't be too noticeable.
Let us know how it goes!

I have taught both my daughters to sew and quilt. I have a butterfly quilt that years ago I was watching simply quilts and there was a guest and showed a kid friendly butterfly pattern...I thought perfect! I ran out to get the fabrics and sat with my oldest and we started she got bored by the second block...it sat there til my next daughter who is 8 years younger was old enough she sewed 1 block and was bored. I thought wow two daughters and no quilters wow! Then my oldest 16 at the time spots a charm pack of batiks and asks me if she can make something with them I said sure. She looked at patterns in magazines and books I had and found she loves stars and batiks. She took the charms sewed them into hST mixed with blocks and made a dresser topper with a star illusion. She quilted it and I helped her with the binding. My youngest who is 9 love to quilt small projects she gets board with putting blocks together but loves the decerative stitches. I cut she designs the blocks I sew and she quilts. I learned to ask. I did finish that butterfly quilt last year and I love the story that goes with it!! Happy Quilting and maybe that will help! Never forget to the simple and ask they all know what they like!!