Two of my friends and I teach 4-H quilting to 4 children ages 9-12. They have mastered stitching a straight line on paper, accurate 1/4" seam, hand stitching a binding, and making a 4-patch. We cut and trim all their fabrics as needed. Their use of a rotary cutter doesn't come until the 3rd or 4th year of quilting. They each have named their ripper, ie "Jack the Ripper" and "My BBF". Can't wait to see what they name the rotary cutter. We love what we do with these wonderful kids. Our 9 yr. old even won 3rd place in the Moda School Quilt Block Challenge sponsored by the Paducah Quilt Museum!!

I am a firm believer that 12 - 15 year olds can rotary cut and 6 is not a huge number to manage. That being said - I agree that the first project ought to be "pre-cut" kit type of project if it is only a one lesson sort of thing. They will want to feel as if they accomplished something and will want to go home with something in their hand. We recently did Pillowcases with 12 Girl Scouts and the pillow cases were all pre-cut and ready to go. They did great and all went home with pillow cases.