I would google to get as much info before I start. There are certain colors which mean a lot to them for certain occasions.

I am Chinese. I can understand what you are saying and what you are trying to do. I have made several quilts for my very Asian thinking mother and sisters. There are so many things that can offend them or are considered bad luck. I also am thinking that you really don't want to do serious research either. Since you are "white American" you can get away with a lot more than people like me that are American raised. Most traditional American patterns will work. A few things to avoid:

1)Asian fabrics because not only are the Characters don't make sense but they are mostly Japanese as well as the prints. My mother still have nightmares about the Japanese treatment of her and her village during their occupation. Plus I have seen many things people have done using Asian fabrics and half the time the fabric is sewn in upside down or sideways.

2)No white or black. Traditionally white was associated with death but black has become the more modern way to mourn. Most of us would wear a band of black around our upper arm now. I haven't heard of blue being bad.

3)Use very little yellow because it is the color of the Emperor. I think this is more out of respect. Now a days yellow is usually added to attract wealth.

When I make something for my family I don't surprise them. I had to make sure they are okay with the Asian fabrics first. Bright colors is an excellant idea. Red for luck is very good. Chinese people, except for me, likes fancy. They don't like plain. Something to consider when you quilt it.

I hope this helps. You know that what ever you make they will love because they are good people. Just make sure you tell them that you would like them to use it and not keep for display. Everytime I hear plastic my back go up. I think of the many of my parents' friends houses I been to where their furniture is covered with plastic.

Sounds like a bright promary colors quilt would be the perfect thing to do!

How wonderful that you have friends in another country. We lived in Europe compliments of Uncle Sam and made many friends that we still keep in touch with.

Just make a quilt from your heart and you can't go wrong. Perhaps a novelty fabric with baby animals or the Baby Einstein fabric?

Keep it American and bright colors or the pastels. I'd like to see what you come up with.

I'm sure your husband's friend and his wife would love a quilt, especially if you explained that it was a tradition in your culture. On the other hand, even many modern Chinese are still very superstitious and I believe that it would not be polite to give them something that represented bad luck or was offensive to them. White is the colour of death and would be particularly inappropriate for a baby. Do not even wrap the gift in white (or black which represents times of the unknown). Red is by far the luckiest colour. Blue-green is good for longevity and harmony.
Animals-- as others have said, tigers would be good since this is the year of the tiger, also tigers are considered protective and would sybolise guarding the child's safety. Koi fish are also very lucky, especially red, orange, or yellow. Rabbits represent hope and turtles represent longevity. NO owls since they bring death. Bears (especially pandas) are strong male symbols and butterflies are more female. Dragons are very good animals and many Chinese parents will try to time the birth of their child so that it will be born in the year of the dragon. There are quite a few cute childrens' fabrics with dinosaurs in bright colours available now.
Numbers-- eight is the luckiest number, four is good, and the number two doubles the meaning of a good symbol. Most odd numbers of things should be avoided.
I hope this gives you some good ideas to start with.

It is a gift that speaks of caring. Jan, you are making a family heirloom! No pressure there.

Sabrinaquilts, thanks for sharing the information. (I know what you mean about plastic!)

make what quilt you want, but be careful of the colors. I think they would be very happy with what ever the pattern is. You are a very wonderful lady for doing this for them. Good luck and God bless. Penny

OK this is what I came up with. There is this cute fabric I found called Bazooples. It's very bright primary colors with lots of baby animals. It does have some black and yellow in it. I haven't ordered it yet. The co-ordinating fabrics are very bright colors also.

Do you think this is okay even tho it has some black in it? I've been all over the fabric sites and this was my and DH's favorite.

I hate to keep asking you all these questions but even after researching the various sites you have provided me with the most info. I need to order the fabric next week then I promise no more questions-I'm just going to do it.

Thank you thank you thank you!! This is a community project now thanks to all of you!!