The Giving Challenge — Extending Grace, Stitch by Stitch
Welcome back to this month’s Giving Challenge! It’s not Tuesday, my usual blog post day, but here I am! I started November with a big list of Charity Quilt Projects to make. At the top of that list are three quilts that have been patiently waiting for their turn in the spotlight—quilts I quilted last month and am now determined to finish and bind. I’m so close, and each one means something special.
Falling Stars Quilt
This quilt has been calling my name for ages. I started this Falling Stars Quilt when I was still testing the pattern, which was first released in Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine many years ago. Now, you can find the pattern in my shop. The colors, the movement, the sparkle—every time I take the project box out of storage, I fall in love all over again.
I plan on donating this to Quilts for a Cause.
Comfort Quilt
I stitched this quilt alongside Amy Ellis during her quilt along, making a few small changes to the pattern along the way. Completing it feels so good! I used a soft yellow minky on the back, and I can already imagine how much comfort it will bring its future recipient.
I think this one will be going to a local foster home for kids in the system.
My Take on a String Quilt
This quilt is extra meaningful because it’s made from charity blocks created by the Do.Good.Stitches group. I designed a free FPP template for this block, and it has been so fun seeing all the ways it can be used. I’ve made a wall hanging, a hanging plant holder, and now—finally!—a full quilt.
This one will be going to Project Linus, where donated quilts are given to children going through cancer.
My Big Make of the Month
The project I’m most focused on right now is turning a stack of I Heart Racing quilt blocks into a finished quilt. These blocks also came from the Do.Good.Stitches group, so this one holds a lot of heart.
I spray basted it yesterday, so it’s ready for quilting! I used my free Scrappy Background Quilt Block pattern to create the back. This quilt might be my favorite Charity Quilt Project of the season because nothing feels better than giving those scraps a new purpose. You can see the image of the quilt back at the top of this blog post.
This one will also be going to Project Linus.
Grace for the Journey
Now for a real-life moment: This month, I am out of town as much as I am home. With all the travel, commitments, and busy-ness of life, something had to give. So I’m extending my Giving Challenge to include December—and giving myself a big dose of grace.
If you’re feeling stretched thin too, let this be your permission slip:
Timelines shift, that’s ok.
It’s okay to adjust goals.
It’s absolutely okay to give yourself patience and acceptance.
Nothing about the heart of this challenge is lost by slowing down.
What’s Coming Up
With this extended timeline, I’m hoping I’ll be able to do some of the little things I’ve been dreaming about:
🎁 A Special Tutorial or Free Pattern
I love making small gifts for you all! I only keep them free for a couple of months, so be sure to stop by the site so you don’t miss the golden nuggets of content.
🛍️ Black Friday Through Cyber Monday
My shop will be fully loaded with deals over the holiday weekend. Don’t forget to check the announcement bar at the top of my website—it always tells you the current monthly special.
And if I can make room on my Charity Quilt Project list, here are the extra projects tugging at my heart:
- Bags for girls—because I deeply believe in girl power!
- Wall hangings for assisted living homes
- Garland for assisted living homes
- Pillowcases for women’s shelters (in my area it’s called Emerge)
- And… call me crazy, but I brought home a set of black and white blocks from my quilt guild! Maybe it’s another Charity Quilt Project to squeeze into December?
There are so many things I want to do, but I’m cutting myself off there. Realistically…I can’t do all the things. And that’s okay.
Now It’s Your Turn
What are you working on for the Giving Challenge? Maybe you’re finishing WIPs, making blocks, sewing donations, or starting your own Charity Quilt Project?.
Share your progress—I’d love to cheer you on. If you email me your finished project photos I will create a special photo gallery for the Giving Challenge 2025.
Here’s to giving, making, finishing, and finding grace in every stitch. 💛
