The World's Fair Quilt

(Paperback, Large Print Edition)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A timely celebration of quilting, family, community, and history in this latest novel in the perennially popular Elm Creek Quilts series from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini.

As fall paints the Pennsylvania countryside in flaming colors, Sylvia Bergstrom Compson is contemplating the future of her beloved Elm Creek Quilts. The Elm Creek Quilt Camp remains the most popular quilters retreat in the country, but unexpected financial difficulties have beset them and the Bergstrom familys stately nineteenth-century manor. Now in her eighth decade, Sylvia is determined to maintain her familys legacy, but she needs new resourcesfinancial and emotional.

Summer Sullivana founding Elm Creek Quilterarrives to discuss an antique quilt that she wants to display at the Waterford Historical Societys quilt exhibit. When Sylvia and her sister Claudia were teenagers, they had entered a quilt in the Sears National Quilt Contest for the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition, also known as the Chicago Worlds Fair. The Bergstrom sisters quilt would be perfect for the Historical Societys exhibit, Summer explains.

Sylvia is reluctant to lend out the quilt, which has been stored in the attic for decades, nearly forgotten. In keeping with the contests Century of Progress theme, the girls illustrated progress of valuesscenes of the Emancipation Proclamation, womans suffrage, and labor unions. But although it won ribbons, the quilt also drove a wedge between the sisters.

As Sylvia reluctantly retraces her quilts story for Summer, she makes an unexpected discoveryone that restores some of her faith in this unique work of art, and helps shine some light on a way forward for the Elm Creek Quilts community.

Reviews

Chiaverinis twenty-second Elm Creek Quilts novelis like a strong cup of teacozy yet hard-hittingand will appeal to current fans and new readers alike. Booklist on The Museum of Lost Quilts

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first novel in her extensive Elm Creek Quilts series, Chiaverinis latest installment is rich with detail...telling the tale of a particular womans motivation to design and craft a particular quilt. Whether inspired by love or grief, the resulting artwork is described with astonishing attention to design, workmanship, and symbolism. Chiaverini also explores how the practice of her craft transforms each womans emotional life, each stitch bringing her closer to a sense of peace A warm portrait of women bound by craftperfect for fireside reading. Kirkus Reviews on The Christmas Boutique

Enchanting. The host of different characters offer their own points of view to enrich this heartwarming tale of friendships explored and history retold. New York Journal of Books on The Christmas Boutique

This is an outstanding series of novels about a fascinating craft. Quilting, in the hands of Chiaverini, allows us to explore human relationships in all their complexity. Booklist on the Elm Creek Quilts series