If it were me, I would take the primary colors in these " themes " and use those to make a quilt.

For Hello Kitty I would use different light / bright / hot pinks, white and black

For Monster University I would go with bold primary colors

Then for the label I would put something like " Hello Childs Name " and " For My Little Monster " or something like that !

I have done this different ways... I have started with my nieces in mind and worked just with that.. then others I have no real idea what I am doing. Then later get inspired who to give it to

thank you...those are good ideas! I have some Hello Kitty and Monster fabric and thought I'd use some of that on the back

Most of my quilts are made because the pattern caught my eye. I also take quite a few classes at the LQS. Usually when someone (my children or grandchildren) see a quilt and like it, they ask for it. I usually only give quilts to family, and once they are gifted, I don't know what happens to them.
Sue

I have always had these questions too and what I do is make what I want to make and then later if someone likes it give it. I will make someone a quilt if they tell me the color they like and that is it. I like to make the quilts I want to gift and not be given an exact thing to replicate.

What a great attitude!!

I had to laugh when I read that part, because I ALWAYS take my finished quilts to my Grandmothers house to show them to her when they are done, and she ALWAYS likes them all, so she would be overwhelmed with quilts LOL , not that she would mind that either !

I generally only make quilts for family. I try to notice what colors they wear. If I am in their home I notice what colors of bedspreads, carpets, wall décor, etc. they have and try to figure out what sort of décor and color they like. If they don't seem to care for quilts, I make something else such as pillows, dish towels, mug rugs, maybe a throw or something I think they will use. If I know they don't care for quilted stuff I may make jelly or seasoning mixes, cookie mixes, etc. If you are around them very much you usually know if they would treasure a quilt or not.

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.

If I am making a quilt for one of my grandkids I let them take part in the planning of it. The last one I made my granddaughter for her 9th BD was a special request by her. She wanted an I spy quilt...."NO PINK!" in it. So I made it with everything she likes, sports, etc. It was tough making it girlie with no pink, but she was thrilled with it. I have taken them along to choose some of the fabric, and then work around it to make it something really special. I mostly make charity quilts that are given to tornado victims, etc. So those are just made with my love put into them. If a family member shows no interest in quilts, they will not be getting a quilt from me. I want them to appreciate it and all the love and work that went into it. Most people have no clue.