Quilts for teen boys

I want to make a twin bed size quilt for my 14 year old grandson who loves gaming, computers, rollercoasters and anything to do with Boston. He is in an engineering focused middle and HS program intending to major in engineering in college. Very bright boy who reads fantasy, loves learning about the weather, watches the weather channel and discovery channel like most kids watch cartoons.

Now my question is this: For those of you who have made quilts for teen boys, what kind of quilts have you made? What kinds of patterns and fabric themes have you used?

Ladyslipper 2

Ladyslipper, I think it depends on the age... my little guy is only six and his last quilt was pirate fabric... I have done monsters and some just bright boy colors.... I just did one for a friend with deer fabric and pattern with stars.... any pattern you enjoy doing will work ...

I have three sons and have made each of them a quilt.

The first one is called crosswalk and is my middle son's.



The second one is my youngest son's. This is a nine patch variation.



The third quilt I made for my oldest DS college graduation. It is calked Oklahoma twister. Those HST were a pain!



I hope this gives you some ideas. My oldest DS shares many of the same interests. I liked the block because of the movement.

Anita N: Those are all nice and masculine---but I really love number 3----the movement is terrific. Do not think I have ever seen the pattern before. I keep thinking something like that or geometic pattern might work. I looked some for fabrics that have historical scenes that relate in particular Boston but so far none. I will keep looking and seeking ideas until the right one comes up. But like I said, I love that twister one---reminds me of rollercoasters. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

Yes, it does remind me of coasters too! That son is a coaster firnd. His fiance is too! They were talking about getting married at an amusement park for a while. That block is on quilterscache.com and was featured in Quilt magazine a few years ago. She sells the pattern now.

Good luck on your search!

Anita M. wrote:

Yes, it does remind me of coasters too! That son is a coaster firnd. His fiance is too! They were talking about getting married at an amusement park for a while. That block is on quilterscache.com and was featured in Quilt magazine a few years ago. She sells the pattern now.

Good luck on your search!

Bet he built them with Knex and designed them on the internet.

You got that right! And he has a site devoted to them or at least he did.

This is the one I made my son back when he turned 18. The blocks were from a swap we'd done

My friend who has made lots for her DGSs generally does simple patterns based around nature themed prints. My grands aren't teens yet, but the oversized stars I made them might do. Those were on the previous version of the album, but the pattern is here.

Same pattern, redone for my SiL.

There are some really fine "weather" prints out at the moment, which could be a basis. I just saw some that were realistic racing sailboats, lighthouses and coasts. IMHO, prints related to gaming are a mistake because the games change so rapidly.

I think sticking to geometric shapes and his favorite colors makes the quilt more timeless. Novelty fabric seems to become outdated too easily. He might like the movement and the "engineering" of a bargello. There are bargellos that really make you feel like you are on a roller coaster.

You can google bargello quilts and come up tons of info on making them and even more pictures for inspiration.

Sounds good to me, although Bargello is something I would rather look at than do.

I would think you'd be able to find applique for the Boston items. Don't hesitate to Google, too. Look at the free clip art online. I have made log cabins, Ohio star, friendship star, and a Take Five for my DGS. Quilterscache and Quiltville might have some free patterns you would like. Just Google and I think you'll find lots of ideas.

I'm thinking of using this for the Silly Billy & his finacee's wedding quilt. If you don't need it right away, you could get some of this. Otherwise, you could just wait and use some for a pillowcase later.

http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=58795191917135879&Store_id=499&page_id=23&Item_ID=73719&Parent_Ids

Silly Billy is the dude who has all the same interests as your 14 year old GS.And oh yeah....he's Anita's oldest son.

Still not sure exactly what I'm doing for B&B, but thinking some kind of signature quilt. The roller coaster fabric in there would be cool for a border or backing though.

Found several interesting patterns on quilterscache. I am not in a huge hurry because I am working on 2 for DGD right now. So I can take my time and make sure when I do choose something it will be just right. Thanks for all the good suggestions and ideas.

I like all 3 of Anita's quilts, but the 3rd one is wonderful. I'd love that one for a grandson.

Thanks, Luvs!