This can be looked at 2 ways. Old fashioned as in fabric or in pattern. Lots of star patterns come to mind Ohio star, friendship star, Lemoyne star. How about a dresden plate in 1930's fabrics? A simple 9-patch or 4-patch done in the right fabrics would give the "old fashioned" feel you are looking for and be easy to make, maybe even more than one!
Good luck to you and your cousin.