Here are some free patterns for patriotic quilts:
http://www.bomquilts.com/Free-Patrio...t-Patterns.php
Click on "details" to get to the pattern you want. I think the flag pattern is really nice and looks easy but it is really, really small.
Rag quilts are easy to make and this one is really cute:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index...515#msg2831515
You can do a search on the forum for "rag quilts" and also Google for instructions on how to do this.