I would think vintage would be the two toned ( blue and white or red and white etc.) designs. But vintage could be anything from the 30's to the 50's. I agree with the opinion that old fashioned would be the " goose and hearts" period, but then again, it's all subjective. If you really want to make this couple a quilt, I'd sit down with them and a few quilt books and pin them down on a more accurate description.