I also agree that a disappearing 9 patch is a quick and easy quilt for either your mom or soldiers. It's very easy to cut out and goes together real fast and looks complicated, but is easy. I'm making one in purple rigth now and my sister has decided that she would like one as well.

I completely agree about the red/white/blue. However, these colors can be put together without appearing to bold with the use of shades and values of the colors. I have read that some soldiers don't want these colors because they remind them of more difficult times. I recently worked with a group who had been given panels that while in the usual colors were very muted into beige, dusty blue and red. We added beige and red with some black to it.

As to mothers quilts. You have certainly set yourself a goal to make a large quilt in the time. Hope nothing interferes with your progress. I would suggest as others have said the Disappearing Nine Patch.

For soldiers - use rail fence. Very easy and quilt. Easy to piece one in a day (without interruptions, of course).

I think any kind of star patterns are a good choice for the soldier's quilts, especially if you're doing them in patriotic colors.

I think it`s nice to make red-white & blue lap covers, not all of course, but there are some are very willing to let people
know how they feel about their service. I`ve seen them in air ports. They can some how tell another soldier, and have a coin that they give to another soldier or retiree. Shake hands, and say "What division were you in? Thank each other and
move on. Brings tears to your eyes.

I agree with the other poster. Don't feel like you need to make red/white/blue. My BIL said a lot of the guys like any guy type subject - football teams, hunting, fishing, computers.

My sister made a bunch of patch pillowcases for the VA hospital using my leftover flannel scraps and they really liked having choices of football, wildlife, etc.

As far as pattern, 9 patches, Irish chain, log cabin (E. burns method) all go together quite quickly.

I got a quilt when I came home from Iraq it was done in pinks and purples. It's been 9 years and I still have it and use it in my daughters room. I think a fence rail quilt would look great but you don't have to use only patriotic fabric although there are some really awesome ones out there. Maybe you could mix the normal red white and blues with cammo not just the traditional cammo but also hunters cammo, desert cammo and digital cammo too it would create a unique look.

You don't say in your post if you're making the quilts for soldiers at the VA or where you're going to deliver them. I'd like to suggest you call the place you want to donate to and ask them what they think the military members would like. You can also check out Quilts of Valor (just google it.) It's a national organization of quilters that make quilts for wounded service members, and not just those with physical wounds but those with PTSD too. (As a Marine and the mother of a Marine infantryman, Iraq war vet, I'll keep my opinions on the red, white, and blue issue to myself.)