Fivepaws, check out Sharon Schamber's method for squaring up blocks - she takes a block that is 1/2" out of square on one side and makes it perfectly square - without any cutting! She's using an applique block in her demo. This would preserver your mom's handwork :)

http://sharonschambernetwork.com/Cla...h-A-Block.aspx

<no affiliation, just a fan>

Thanks so much Linda, to you and to the many who have made suggestions . Hopefully, I will now feel confident to tackle this with vigor!