I'm putting together some hand outs for my guild with ideas for simple, beginner friendly patterns to go with the 50 plus kits we packaged up this week from a bunch of donated fabric.  I've got a few ideas (zipper, rail, bricks & stones, simple frame) but I'm sure you guys will have others.  Help job my memory, please.

There is one that is made out of the widths of a focal fabric and a coordinating fabric.  Haven't made one in a long time,but a very easy child's quilt.

Jo

something like the one on the right?

Yes

Jo

There are so many things you can do with the humble 4 or 9 patch. They can be building blocks of some pretty nice designs. They can be made big, small, scrappy or not. Also they make for some great variety of quilting designs. 9 patch is the first Block I learned to piece and still a favorite.

I am cutting up my scraps into three main shapes/sizes, for simple charity blocks:  2.5 inch strips, 5-inch squares, and 10-inch squares.  You can make a LOT of different quilt blocks with those sizes, without having to cut them down, but if you do need other sizes, they can easily be cut out of the 5-inch and 10-inch squares.  I'm hoping to make a serious dent in my scraps with charity quilts we are making for the Pregnancy Help Center and Meals for the Elderly. 

I'm also going to be making a lot of simple "checkerboard" quilts, some with just 5-inch squares (because I have so many of those) and some with squares alternating with 4-patches or 9-patches.  Of course, the most important thing is to use a lot of contrasting lights and darks.    

I like the DOUBLE SLICE quilt that uses 10-inch squares and has very simple construction, but looks more complicated than it really is.  It sews up very quickly.  I have made two small kids' quilts out of one layer cake, but it could also be done with remnants and FQs.  Here's Jenny's tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxC-0T5lXw4&t=480s

I also like this kind of "Confetti Quilt."  That name has been used before for other quilts, but this one is probably the simplest.  She uses charm packs, so hers is "controlled" scrappy and homogenous, but I can see this for I SPY quilts, with novelties in the squares and solids or other contrasting fabrics in the strips.  It would be a very simple I SPY - maybe not complicated enough for you - haha - but would be good for a beginner.  Either charm packs or your own cut pieces, 3.5 X 5 and 1.5 X 5.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7rn10AeJQ8 

Then there is always the "Jellyroll race" quilt, but you don't have to start out with a real jelly roll, you can make your own 2.5 inch strips out of your scraps (or fabrics), and they will all be different lengths.  But it does take a while to get your own strips ready, because a jelly roll of 40 strips at 40 inches long is about 1,600 inches long, or a little over 44 yards - so that would take a little while to get all those prepped.  I have done it that way once, and it was just all scrappy, for a kid's quilt, and it was easy and fun to sew, because I didn't have to think.  To me, it wasn't bad, but I think I am more patient than the average beginner quilter, who may get bored easily with the process.  LOL  Beginning quilters would NEED to think.  haha  It might be better to reverse-engineer it, by first deciding what size quilt you want - baby quilt, doll quilt, etc. - and then figuring out how many pieced strips you need to cover the entire thing from top to bottom, allowing for seam allowances and a little extra for "fudging."   Ah, just forget the whole "jelly roll" thing.  I'm just thinking out loud.  LOL  

My fav simple pattern is Yellow Brick Road. Now it's an "old" pattern, but it's simple and people like the way it looks :) Striking!

I forgot to mention the POTATO CHIP QUILT BLOCKS.  These use up a lot of scraps, and they are BIG blocks.  All you need are thousands of scraps cut to 2.5 by 4.5 inches, or 2.0 by 3.5 inches (for blocks that are a little bit smaller).  All is straight stitching, and for much of it, you don't need to worry about what direction to press the seams.  Here's a video by one of my favorite YouTube quilters - Pola Quilting.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBcAJg3JlE0 

I do plan to make several of these blocks at the retreat, because it's kind of mindless sewing and it shouldn't take up much space, just making a lot of individual blocks.  

I watched that! I'm adding to my list! I think it'd look really great in assorted of one style, too, like batik or flannel or so! :D Thanks, Jonna!