I do not surprise people (even family) with quilts for this exact reason. Even if we think they will LOVE it, you never know! I personally always hated it when people would buy me clothes or decor items, even when I specifically asked them NOT to, because I am so picky. However, with that being said, I agree the young lady really was quite rude.
If it was me and she had said something along the lines of being so sorry, she didn't care for the colors, but that she greatly apprciated the time etc. that went into it and wanted it to find a home where it would be used...I would have been disappointed but not offended. (Yes it has happened to me, although not with a quilt!) And I would have appreciated the honesty instead of having my hard work stashed in a dark closet somewhere.
So I don't do surprise quilts! Well I take it back- I am doing ONE surprise quilt, but I don't have any qualms about it because if he doesn't love it he still has to sleep next to me!