I agree with parents input on pattern .Grandma will be putting a lot of work into this quilt and she wants them to wrap grandmas love around him especially since they live so far away.

Good points ...

I think they would love this!

Iphone Quilt
Go to http://www.gfcquilting.com/iphonequilt.html

what about a bargello pattern?

What about a simple large scale zig zag? It would look great with the fabric you describe and wouldn't involve a lot of time piecing. Add some solid fabric in their chosen colors and you have a modern looking quilt.

Sounds like my grand-daughter who would not use anything that even seemed a bit traditional. Her burp cloths were camo and a racing car material. The quilt I made for the baby turned out to be a from a material with a racing car pattern and some fireman motif(homage to grandpa), but almost all NASCAR stuff. Not a suggestion, but an example of what new, non-traditional parents are using. The traditional gifts to the baby went bye-bye. I would definitely get the parent's approval before I spent the time and money or it may end up at Goodwill.

If she's really concerned that her DIL will not use a quilt becasue it doesn't suit the decor, I'd opt for the Baby's R Us registration they probably have and be done with it. Or come right out and ask if they would like her to make the baby a quilt. Then involve them in the design and colors.

Amen. that's what she's trying to do. She's asked them if they even WANT a quilt from her and they said yes...so she just has to nail them down on a pattern.

How about asking them to choose the pattern they would like you to use??????

Please remember that infants and babies can choke on things like fringe, loops, buttons, bows, prairie points, tabs, beads, jiggle eyes and most other adornments on a quilt and remember Safety First!

If the parents are that fussy, then give them a gift certificate to a LQS and say pick the pattern the colors and then let me help you put it together.

Meant just the little taggy kind not big loops just 1/2 inch maybe so babys can feel the texture. Most babies love tags on toys and such.

I think I would ask the couple before putting all that work into a quilt and then they don't like it. They can pick the pattern and not see the finished project till the shower/birth, would save a lot of 'hurt feelings'.

How about a small bogello (spelling???) or trip around the world quilt with the same colors? Don't know how easy that would be, but that could fit the abstract. Actually I would agree with some of the others and just chose 5 patterns and ask the parent which one they like or just make a quilt for her to keep at her place. Hope all turns out good with whatever she decides.

Have her make something she loves and keep it for use at her house when the baby is there.

Maybe search online and find the exact room decor the new parents are planning to use. There will be coordinates available of all kinds. Copy one of those for ideas for her quilt.

Words of warning: Many parents these days are particular as to the style of their nursery. If something doesn't go with their theme, they will not use it even in the car or another room.

Save your friend some heartache and have her work with the parents on this. Trust me.

I agree, I would show parents the type of quilt pattern you plan to use - I can tell you from experience with my DIL

Check with the place where they are getting their wallpaper from. It might have fabric you can buy to match the wallpaper. Then incorporate it into the quilt. Jan

I thought that as well! Jan

In my opinion, if they are that fussy and might shove it in a closet, I'd give them a gift certificate and wouldn't waste my precious time on someone who might hate what I make. I'd save my talent for someone who doesn't have the luxury of being that particular.

If they are so fussy about returning presents, just give them the money to buy one - it will probably save a lot of time and heartache.

I am expecting my first grandson any day now and I, too, have wanted to make a special quilt for the baby. I have some special baby blue fabric for several years thinking that I would make an Heirloom quilt to be passed down to thenext generation. Now, the problem is that professioals are now telling new parents that babies are not to have ANYTHING in the bed with them - no pillows, blankets or anything else - babies are put into blanket sleepers and placed on their backs in the crib - so I have decided not to make my special quilt for "Billybob" (they aren't telling the name until he gets here) -

Your friend may want to go the the nearest Joanns and look up patterns for blanket sleepers - I'm thinking about it - no use putting all that time and effort into something that on't be appreciated -

I agree.

If you have a quilting program like EQ or Quilt Pro on your computer that you could scan the fabrics in and play with designs using the fabric colors they sent to you. then it would really help in choosing what patterns you like best with the fabric they have.

Also this would be a great way to show the parents many different designs that you could do with the colors. Have them choose at least 2 so they will not know which one you will make and it will still be sort of a surprise to them.

I think I'd take the mother-to-be shopping and let her choose the fabric.

Maybe BFF should ask the parents what design they would prefer ... she could show samples of tumbling block, circles, or any other curvy design that you find that you wouldn't make making.

That might be the safest solution, rather than have it tossed in a closet ... ahem, yes they sound rude and unappreciative.

Daisy, you might consider still making the baby a quilt .. not for the crib but to put over the baby in a car seat etc or lay on the floor on his back or when baby is old enough to hold up his head and look at it ... that kind of thing

Don't deprive yourself of the joy of making your first grandson a wonderful quilt from his gramma.

How about if you let the parents pick out the fabrics? Sounds as though they won't appreciate all the love and effort you put into it.

no answer for your question but when my son had a baby they used a Monkey/jungle theme. Being the stubborn and old fashion grandma to be I made a traditional baby quilt with pastels (baby girl) and Baby Bunting pattern. I figure maybe someday when GD is older SHE will appreciate it - esp if she tires of Monkey themes. Seems like all new parents to be are going with themes. When I had my kids I like anything babyish - lambs, teddy bears, etc - a variety. But things do change (just like all the new baby names that I can't even spell half the time) LOL

I have a friend who did baby quilts [http://quiltwalktalk.blogspot.com/20...-finishes.html]for a new little one since she had not had new grandbabies for a while. take a look maybe it will give you some simple ideas. The baseball one could be done in modern colors and would be pretty simple.

I would not bother to try to match the decor they planned, I would go with a learning quilt like I Spy, alphabet, etc.

Send a "store bought" quilt in the right colors now and when the child is older and has his own opinions make something that he wants and he will know that Grandma made especially for him because that is what he wanted.

I sure would show those finicky people what I was thinking of doing before I made it!

That would be a good solution but they don't live very close to each other. They only see each other maybe once a year, so my friend will never be able to babysit.

Update---
My friend just called me and said she's given up and will knit some booties etc instead. Just too much stress to keep the parents happy about a quilt.
Thank you for all your ideas.

One thing I did was I took receiving blankets (that could match the decor), cut them up and use them for your material for a
quilt. Mine turned out so cute, just did D9P, and quilted it
with pearl cotton with a big running stitch, really turned out cute.
Just for thought.

How about making a quilt specifically for the car and travelling in the carseat? Maybe adapting it for use with the seatbelt or something?
Not to offend anyone, but seems like the first thing someone needs to give those two is a good swift kick in the patoots!! I sure hope they learn to loosen up or that little baby is in for a tough time of it later on!! Where will he put his rock collection, and his dead bugs? gosh!!!

I agree!

Love tumbling blocks. I think it might help balance the curves.
Aren't they in for a shock when baby comes along to mess up and untidy their picture perfect space

:-D :-D :-D