I have an 11 year old that is learning to quilt as well, and one of the most exciting things for her is to pick out her own fabric. Since you have a JoAnn's nearby, I'd suggest taking her there and picking out a fat quarter bundle or 5-6 single fat quarters that she likes. An easy pattern that turns out super cute is a simple 4-patch and then have her sash them in whatever color she wants. It turns out super cute. Good luck!