You are not being silly.
We all tend to do a lot of work when we are running out of time, no matter how much lead time we are given.
when I think of a simple quilt, the simple square of differing fabrics comes to mind.
The next block would be a four patch. It is pretty amazing what doing a four patch, alternated with a plain square ... it is pretty amazing how complicated it looks ... I would tie the quilt, using either embroidery thread or cotton crochet thread, size ten.
Fact of the matter is: when you do something that no one else can do, they ARE IMPRESSED! and, what a privilege to be able to gift a new baby with a quilt of its very own. That would be very encouraging to the new mom, too.