I have has a similar reaction several times. It has made me very reluctant to give quilts as gifts. Lately I have been offering to make quilts if they select the fabric and pattern. Then they have input, and if they don't like the results, well, it is what they picked out. So far (based on 7 quilts) this has worked well for me. Plus, they certainly appreciate the money involved, when they bought the fabric.
Well, okay, I bought the fabric for two of them. One was for my SIL, and the other was for a life-time friend. The others were quilts for friends from work, friends, but not run-around-with friends.