oh, how sad for your friend
about perfection - it usually doesn't happen - do the best you can with what you know now - and that is as good as it's going to be right now
how big is this quilt going to be? if it won't be overly large, it might be simpler to just piece it and then layer it in the usual way and do stitch in the ditch quilting or tying it.
i've seen some very lovely, useful, comforting quilts that were tied
sometimes simple and done is much better than fancy and not done (says she who has many WIPS in the basement)