My mom used to do this, I remember she did one (it came in a kit). The reason they are not square, is someplace this lady should have had a large center panel. The blocks you have would have been the drop down the sides part of a coverlet. In between each block you would have had blank muslin block (the blank blocks would have been over sized). The only reason I remember is it took a couple of years to finish, because of the center being so large.
These blocks are great, your friend will be very happy with anything you do. Candle Wicking is old, what about doing a crazy quilt in tonals for the center (do wider than long and not as crazy JMHO). Good luck