It is the week after Thanksgiving and a number of quilting guests from across the country have arrived at the beautiful Elm Creek Manor in Pennsylvania. They are there for a free week of luxury lodgings, delicious food, and the fellowship of quilters. In happy exchange, they will all donate their labour of love -- finished quilts for Project Linus - sure to be put to good use in hospitals or given by police or fire departments to children needing the comfort of quilt in a time of distress.

During this special Quiltsgiving week, Master Quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson Cooper will welcome them and lead the quilters, beginners or advanced, though some very special Elm Creek traditions that will help them look into their own hearts and reflect on their lives. In addition, one of the Manor's faculty members, Gretchen, will lead a special instructional class on a new pattern for the Linus quilts.

As the scissors cut, sewing machines hum and the quilts take shape, the background stories and reasons for being at Quiltsgiving emerge in conversations and stories. These stories focus on the trials and occasional triumphs of five of the guests: Linnea, Pauline, Michaela, Jocelyn and Karen. They range in age from Michaela, a young outwardly cheerful college student who is on crutches from an injury that has the potential to dash her life's dream career to an older Linnea, a Librarian from California, whose community had been hard hit by the economic situation. Her library's future is uncertain as they face severe budget cuts and the threatening action of media hungry agitators. Interwoven in these background stories are instructions for quilt making and for life decisions. Will their week together strengthen them for what they need to face when they go back home?

THE GIVING QUILT is the 20th book in best-selling author Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilts novels. As the book primarily revolves around the lives of the five new guests and instructions for making a new quilt pattern, it can easily be read as a stand-alone book for readers new to Chiaverini or be enjoyed as delightful eye candy for her numerous fans.

One of the best features of the book for me is Garcia's adeptness in developing the characters and how they gain their insights for changing their outlook on their personal issues of concern. The dialogue between the characters is realistic and humorous as they talk about their joys and losses, their families, and their paths to healing. I also appreciated learning more about the culture of quilters and their various organizations. This is a wonderful seasonal treat to curl up with (under a lovely quilt, of course) and to enjoy the stories and reflect on what new patterns in design and in life that you might think about choosing! A treat both for quilters and wannabes alike!