When I set out to make quilts for my nephews' graduations last year, I tried to work with what interest I knew they had. My brother's son,is a country boy through and through. He loves the outdoors, hunting and fishing, so I found a quilt kit using a older fabric line from Moda- Henry's fishing lodge, or something to that effect. I used Minnesota fabrics,others that had that 'up north' feel to them and blenders that had a masculine feel to them.
My brother's step son, however was raised in the city, plays electric guitar and all things 'edgy'. His quilt had skulls, guitars, flames and some Beatles fabric I happened to have in my stash.
Both quilts suited the recipient.
Sometimes, however, when I'm making a quilt, I find I can't stop thinking about a certain person, or I realize I need a nice gift for someone at that point in time. That's how many of my quilts find a home.