If you are new to quilting, check out the free online tutorials at Missouri Star Quilt Company.
http://quiltingtutorials.com/
The directions are simple and most of the quilts go together quickly. They use mostly precut 2.5 fabric strips, 5 inch and 10 inch blocks, but I'm assuming you are going to use fabric your mother already has. You can take that fabric and cut it to the sizes in the videos. Investing in a June Tailor Shapecut ruler could speed that up, but it's not mandatory. Take a look at the Tube Quilt Tutorial and Summer in the Park, which use the same technique. These blocks go together fast. Also check out the beginner quilt block series, with the 9 patch and hour glass blocks. Also they posted a recent single Irish Chain video, which is just 9 patch alternated with a solid fabric block, easy. Since you have to make so many quilts so quickly you may want to use just a 2 or 3 quilt patterns and repeat in different color ways. That way you won't have to master a new pattern every time.