Go to the Phillips Fiber Art website. Cheryl Phillips has Rings that Bind and she also has Simple Curves pattern and template as well. I love her rulers and her videos to show how to use them. Rings that Bind book comes complete with the template that you use to make the blocks. It is also a quilt as you go pattern.You make each block and quilt it as you are contructing it. So when you are done making the blocks, you are done quilting it. When using Cheryl's method you do use a lot of fabric, but, keep in mind you are making both the top and the back at the same time.
I wish you luck and I hope that you can achieve the closeness that desire with your sister.