Why can't you ask them to look at some patterns you suggest and select one. I'd also ask what colors they would like incorporated and perhaps share some examples with them.

I have a daughter who is exactly that picky about quilts. I would make them pick out the quilt pattern and the fabric. Why go through all the effort of making a quilt that they probably will not even like much less ever use? In fact, the DIL-to-be may, when she has been in the family long enough, put the quilt in a garage sale. Many DIL's have done just that. That fact that you are making a quilt is no secret. You want it to be well received if not loved. Let them pick a pattern - the internet has thousands to choose from. Let them pick the fabric. If they don't live near you, they can send the name, manu. etc of fabric to you or use your credit card, buy it and mail it to you. Why go through the agony of choosing something when they are so picky and the choice seems doomed to failure?

I agree with TanyaL. I would make them a part of deciding which pattern and what fabrics to use. If they live near you, take them to a quilt shop or two. Or spend some time on the internet with them. I would definitely get visuals of what they have pictured in their minds.

Exactly what I was thinking. My daughter is 23 and she would say 50's - 70's would be vintage.

Vintage now adays means 1960. Classic is about25 yrs ago. Ck with them...you dont want to make a dresden plate of thirties when they wanted tie dye.

I would show them some patterns and ask them to pick their favorite. That way you will be making just what they want. You can even ask them what colors the prefer. I like to ask and then I know for sure what they want. Good Luck! They will probably love whatever you make them.

I asked my Generation X daughter. Vintage is 1930's prints, old fashion is gold and avocado. Vintage is grandma's stuff, old fashion is Mom's.

When my kids (in their 20's) talk about "vintage," they're usually referring to something second-hand. Going by that, I would think a "vintage" looking quilt would be in muted, "worn" looking colors. Not pastels, though. Unfortunately, the word seems to mean different things, to different people.

I'm 35 and I think of our oldest, civil war-era, scrap quilts as vintage. I think fabric choice makes the biggest difference. Maybe some nice bright 50's colors with a traditional pattern?

Dresden Plate, Double Wedding Ring, Log Cabin..................I've given them all and they are well received. The Double Wedding is "hands down" the most requested pattern

Most requested and also very difficult unless you've done some other curved seam work.

Let them look thru some quilt books to see what attracts them & pick a few patterns. That way the quilt will be a surprise if it is a gift for them. Take them to store (orhave them look at a fabric website) to look at fabrics to give you an idea what what they like or let them pick the fabrics. This way you know they will be happy with what you make for them.

Choose severrtal patterns and then show therm pictures. I'm thinking Irish Chain.

Patchwork... thats definately old fashioned.

Maybe shabby chic???? My dd loves that look, with eyelets, pastel/faded fabric, lots of cotton and linen, etc. Just a thought.

Be safe. Ask them exactly what they mean.

This seems to be the bottom line. Ask them.. My daughter 37 thinks vintage is the 50's , the 60's is hippie, the 70's disco and the 80's big hair. LOL For me 1950's and before is vintage , when we hit the 1920's that's hitting the antique mark. The 60's is my childhood. lol

Make a string quilt with 30's, 40's reproduction fabrics. That ought to be vintage enough! froggyintexas

I would think that vintage may just mean something from the 1800's to very early 1900's - Civil War, Williamsburg look, or Victorian Era. Getting their ideas is the safest way to go. The cost in time and materials is way too high to create something they will not value.