I made my girls care bear quilts when they were little. The quilts went with them to college. So I guess I would make what they like. I do like the idea of reverseable though.

I never make baby quilts except for my embroideried ABC quilts for grand kids. All the rest I use regular fabric that they can use for a long time.

In the end I found a digger panel on eBay (i'm not sure what words I was using to search the first time, there were loads when I looked again!) It had some blue around the edges with various "digger" words. I then found some fabric that was clearly from the same range as it was blue, with words and little pictures of diggers all over it! Couldn't have been more perfect! Although I am now considering using the fabric as the backing as then he could have it whichever way up he fancied at the time!
I've never used panels before but I can see how they make a quick and simple quilt, that will look fabulous! Maybe I will make more child quilts!
Also, i'm not too worried about them growing out of the characters/theme. I'm 26 and if someone had taken the time to make me a little mermaid quilt, I'd still love it!
As always, thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions :-)

When I need a certain idea for a design I want, I just go to a search engine and type "line drawing of ______" and find a starting point if not exactly what I want. Try "line drawing of steam shovel"?

Thanks for posting this link! I was wondering what on earth a digger was, and my google result was 'a group of Protestant English agrarian socialists'. :D

Katier825 had a good idea going to bugfabric.com for fabric. I once made a twin size quilt for a friend's grandson, and he wanted trucks. I believe I either used my standard 6 1/2" square alternating with a 9 patch, it's fast, easy and looks good whatever the fabric you're using. Also Warm Wishes come to mind, you can get the pattern on line, just type in Warm Wishes on your search - it's another easy but nice looking quilt you can make in many sizes.