my DD requested a king-sized quilt in camo for her wedding quilt -- didn't think that I could ever work with that but it really turned out to be one of my very favorites -- and she loved it

Been there. I had to push myself to finish the quilt. I vowed never to be in that situation again.

Nope. I must say that I could never be commissioned to make anything for someone else. Family and friends tell me I could make a lot of money making and selling my work. I say BAH! My work is a labor of love not to be replicated. If I make a quilt for someone else, I am making it knowing that person. To me, it's the same thing as this: DH says, what do you want for your birthday. I say, I dunno, pick me something. He picks me a hot pink sweatshirt with grey kittens and sparkles all over it. Excuse me? Do you KNOW me at all. My point is that if I am going to put forth all of that labor, I know and love the person I am creating for...they WILL like it unless they are shallow and materialistic.

I can relate to this question, however, you are making a quilt for someone who believes you can make them a beautiful quilt with "their" favorite colors/fabrics. I once was asked to make a quilt for an elderly friend of mine, who had sewn strips from all her past sewing projects over the years. Besides all the wild colors and fabric designs, she asked that I sash the strips with RED. I divided the strips into equal lengths and widths, then cut the red sashing. equal size, similar to a coins quilt. Many years ago I saw a quilter on a quilt show whose house and quilts were all in bright primary colors and she explained that she used red as a neutral color in all her quilts. While I was making the quilt, my mantra was "red is a neutral", "red is a neutral", and when it was finished, my husband and son told me it was a great quilt and she was thrilled. Remember, it is her quilt and when it is finished you may be surprised that the quilt has "grown" on you. Happy quilting.

A baby quilt in pink and brown. This was a couple of years ago, and I could not imagine the brown with the pretty pink, but that was the mother's baby colors. It turned out pretty nice, and she loved it, which is what it is all about!

I know how you feel. I don't quilt for others (except gift) but I've made wedding cakes. Sometimes the bride's (and her mother's) idea is not what I would select, but if it's what they want and what they are paying for, then I do my best to please them. Sometimes I will be honest and tell them that this or that might look awkward ,but if it's what they want, I will do my best. I also try to give other ideas that may work also. And I agree with the one who said that if you give it time, it may grow on you (not sure if those were the words, but you get my drift).

I guess that is why I cannot make quilts and let the people pick out fabrics. I have a very difficult time sewing with fabrics I don't like. The quilt would probably never get done.

I know just what you mean, it's hard to get excited about it when you don't like the fabrics, but sometimes you get a nice suprise when it's done. You just have to keep plugging away at it.

just work thru getting it done knowing that as soon as you get it done you can work on d=something you will enjoy