Patrice is so right, applique is the way to go. I've blocked my head with crazy one way thinking so often. It's great we have somewhere to come to now to find other solutions and for inspirational ideas, isn't it? I have 2 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, and 1 great grandson, so I know exactly where you are coming from.
One of the places where I've been able to find some good novelty prints for boys AND girls is the nicer church sponsored salvage or flea market stores. I found a wonderful blue background with lttle guys in different occupation hats to describe all the ways they could find jobs. lol lol
Sharon