Donnamarie

I always make my nieces and nephews a quilt for a high school graduation gift. I let them pick out what colors they like and I pick out the pattern (simple). They seem to love their quilts and its so nice to see them on their college beds when I see photos of the kids in their rooms on facebook. I love it because no one else is going to have the same quilt as them. And don't worry about them not using it. All of my nieces and nephews used them in college and continue to use now. Good luck.

Austinite

You're overthinking it, I make a quilt for my nieces/nephews whenever the mood strikes. It's ended up being about every three-five years which is perfect cause they're still growing and their tastes have changed and they're loving them to death so they need new ones. They got their first ones as babies, then slightly bigger ones as toddlers, then as preschoolers they tell me what they're into, in elementary an even bigger size and picking out fabric together...it is worth noting that I don't have a gigantic family and I'm a insanely devoted auntie I can tell you that all three of my college roomies arrived with homemade quilts that were treated like gold and well-loved.

auntdeb

Ditto this for sure.

Wonnie

If it were me, I would go ahead and make them now...no stress, no rush, no time frame. You don't have to give it to them now...wait till graduation if you choose but they will be done. With that in mind, I would choose a clean, symmetrical pattern in neutral colors for the boys and a two color only pattern...white and their favorite color for the girls because they probably already know their favorite one now and chances are it probably will still be their favorite down the road. If I wanted it to be something they held on to into college and marriage I would not choose school colors or sports logos. Like I said.....just if it were me........