when i made my grandson's quilt (before he was born) i took my daughter in law the my lqs, and let her pick out the pattern, and the main fabric. then i picked the rest of the fabrics, and bought enough to make the bumper pads to match.
she loved it..and he drags it around behind him (he's 2) that is my new system for gift quilts...then i know the receiver will love what they get, and will use it.