30% of men are color blind so I try to find out if they are (DH is) and put colors in they can see true but do not eliminate florals. Men like flowers too. If I don't know the potential male recipient or recipient hasn't been identified I put plenty of blue "pops' in the scrappy. A good gender and taste style crossover scrappy is something that has lattices or connectors (don't know what to call them) that are neutral to any taste and the insides whatever. A geometric design over floral and everyone likes it. Ideas:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k5gQMJ0eP...+Quilt+011.JPG
http://milliesquilting.blogspot.in/2...py-quilts.html
And this scrappy log cabin will appeal to both, usually as their is an overall design for the guys (the big picture and end outcome) and the many pieces, or smaller pictures for the gals which is all the different fabrics.
http://blueisbleu.blogspot.in/2013/0...aby-quilt.html Except on this one there is too much aqua/turquoise for most guys to grab onto. Also, for a pattern/design make one piece the same color in all blocks; not necessarily the same fabric, though.
And the one time I completely let it go and just randomly picked, everyone loved it and wanted. I have analyzed the colors and noticed their are no browns or antique-y colors. All are bright and vibrant with leanings toward primary colors popping everywhere, not the decorator mauves, retro greens, washed out shades. Other observation I have made (seven guys in house at times) is they see the designs and are drawn to something that has structure in the chaos. And nothing where the design itself resembles feminine (does not matter if fabric is girly if the design is not).
A plaid border or solid one brings a highly floral pieced quilt back into the guy zone.