Grandma's Quilts | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Grandma's Quilts | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gloria Turowski
04/30/26
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Grandma said quilting brought her closer to God. She’d spend months on one quilt, handcrafting the individual panels into something colorful and mesmerizing, like Joseph’s coat of many colors. Isadora often sat and watched in amazement. Her grandma sometimes let her stitch rows. Grandma would often have to redo the work. Isadora let the memory wash over her as she sat in her quilting class. Grandma had died three months earlier, and the new class was the result of guilt. Isadora wished she had spent more time learning the craft while her grandma was alive.

The instructor held up her sample quilt and began to stitch. “Okay, ladies, let’s try using the hand quilting method. You’ll need to use a needle and single strand of thread to create a straight-line stitch, so the design’s layers stay together. Look how I go straight across the fabric.”

Isadora watched as the teacher made the stitches look perfect. My lines are crooked. I wish I’d paid attention to Grandma when she tried to teach me, Isadora thought.

She couldn’t help but think of Grandma reading her Bible and talking about how God put us all together for His purpose, like her quilts were put together. Even when mistakes were made, there was a way to fix them, just as we were perfected through God’s grace.

Isadora thought of the beautiful Jacob’s ladder quilt grandma had made her years ago. It was her prized possession. It was in pristine condition, packed away in her cedar chest. What a waste, she thought. Maybe she’d go antiquing this weekend and buy a quilt ladder. Displaying Grandma’s work would allow Isadora to remember all the good times quilting and talking about God.

The instructor walked around examining everyone’s work. “Keep practicing the hand quilting method on your sample, then we’ll move on to the hand-typing method, which is more intricate.”

Grandma would say, "Let’s keep it simple, like God’s love is for us. Don’t make it complicated; remember, He is there." She had the best advice and made quilting seem like a way to worship God.

The instructor showed us the hand-typing method, and after trying a few times, Isadora pricked her finger, and the sample quilt was a mess.

"Don't worry, you can fix your mistakes. Remember, this process takes time and patience," the teacher said.

Isadora thought of God’s patience with her as she walked step by step to please Him, often faltering along the way. She knew she’d never be a great quilter like her grandma, but at least she’d have the memories along with the advice to remember God’s patchwork in her life.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.