Elm Creek Quilts Set (1-3)
by Jennifer Chiaverini
Elm Creek Quilts (Collections and Selections — Omnibus 1-3)
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Three Complete Novels, The Quilter's Apprentice, Round Robin, and The Cross-Country Quilters, from The New York Times Bestselling Author, Jennifer Chiaverini Here's where it all began -- the three novels that first made beloved friends of the Elm Creek Quilters, who stepped out of Pennsylvania's idyllic Elm Creek Manor and into the heart of America. The Quilter's Apprentice: Master quilter Sylvia Compson shares the secrets of her creative gifts with her young assistant, Sarah McClure. During show more their lessons, the intricate, varied threads of Sylvia's life begin to emerge. It is the story of a young wife living through the hardships and agonies of the World War II home front; of a family torn apart by jealously and betrayal; of misunderstanding, loss, and a tragedy that can never be undone. As the bond between them deepens, Sarah resolves to help Sylvia free herself from remembered sorrows and restore her life -- and her home, Elm Creek Manor -- to its former glory. In turn, Sylvia helps Sarah confront her own troubled past. Out of their shared triumph is born a lifelong friendship and a fledgling business called Elm Creek Quilts. Round Robin: To celebrate the beginning of Elm Creek Quilts, Sarah, Sylvia, and their circle of friends name themselves the Elm Creek Quilters. As a gift to Sylvia, the others have begun a round robin -- a quilt created by sewing concentric patchwork to a central block as it is passed around a sewing circle. As each woman makes her creative contribution, she adds her story to the history of Elm Creek Manor. Resplendent in green, blue, and gold, the quilt serves as a symbol of the complex, lasting ties that unify mothers and daughters, sisters and friends. As they stitch together the sometimes harmonious -- often discordant -- scraps of their crazy-quilt lives, the Elm Creek Quilters learn that friendship is a most precious gift and that even in the darkest of times, love illuminates the way home. The Cross-Country Quilters: Five women arrive at Elm Creek Manor, hoping to find in their quilting lessons an escape from the problems they have left at home. This far-flung group becomes fast friends who pledge to complete a "challenge quilt" -- symbolic of each woman's personal goals -- in one year's time. Although the Cross-Country Quilters share a common creative goal, as the year goes by, their bonds are tested by the demands of daily life. But despite differences in age, race, and background, the friends' love for quilting and affection for one another unite them in a patchwork of caring and acceptance. The quilt they make reminds them of an everlasting truth -- friends may be separated by great distance, yet the strength of their bond can transcend any obstacle. "Endearing characters and pleasant vignettes render this series as charming and cozy as a favorite blanket," said Publishers Weekly of the Elm Creek Quilts books. Jennifer Chiaverini is at her heartwarming best in these three novels that launched a bestselling phenomenon. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This hefty book is actually 3 books in 1, the first three books in the Elm Creeks Quilts series. The first book, The Quilter's Apprentice, sets the stage for the series by introducing the characters instrumental for forming a quilting retreat center. The manor was to be sold by the owner Sylvia, who has to face her past as it is being cleaned by the young couple, Sarah and Matt. Sarah learns to quilt from Sylvia and in turn comes up with the idea of a retreat center. Old friendships are healed, and a quilting group from the small town joins in to help and work at the center. The second book, Round Robin, centers on members of the quilting group who have to deal with various issues in their lives. The problems come quickly in this book, show more and while you know that it will all work out in the end, it is not always easy to follow the back-and-forth from one character to another. In the last book, The Cross-Country Quilters, the focus is a group of very different women who get to know each other at the retreat and vow to stay in touch and meet again. Again, each woman has an issue that must be handled, and her new friends help her through the challenges.
I am thinking that the other books in the series probably follow roughly the same format as these first three. Women have to handle issues in their individual lives with the support of new and old friends who come together to quilt. The characters are all likable, the plots are predictable, and all will be well in the end, but the books are well-written and interesting. I enjoyed learning about some quilting terminology that I didn't know. The quilting serves as the thread that ties it all together, both literally and figuratively. show less
I am thinking that the other books in the series probably follow roughly the same format as these first three. Women have to handle issues in their individual lives with the support of new and old friends who come together to quilt. The characters are all likable, the plots are predictable, and all will be well in the end, but the books are well-written and interesting. I enjoyed learning about some quilting terminology that I didn't know. The quilting serves as the thread that ties it all together, both literally and figuratively. show less
Stuck in the house with a nasty cold, this thick volume of three novels was a perfect companion. Intergenerational stories, strong friendships, and the binding pleasure of a treasured craft define the common themes of these three different but similarly strong stories. I enjoyed the Sampler thoroughly -- it made me feel much less lonely in my contagious isolation! (It made me want to quilt too...)
I really liked these three stories, but I love quilting and have a pretty good idea of what is involved and what the blocks and patterns mentioned in the book look like. It is great that someone has written about more than just romances. This book is about the women and their relationships with one another more than anything else.
Great entertainment for quilters who like to read the stories are about quilters and their lives and how they help each other forming a lasting bond through their quilting.
10/09 Pippin Rubin
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69+ Works 19,429 Members
Jennifer Chiaverini is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago. She used to be a writing instructor at Penn State University and Edgewood College. She is the author of the Elm Creek Quilts series and four volumes of quilt patterns inspired by her novels. She is also the designer of the Elm Creek Quilts fabric lines show more from Red Rooster Fabrics. Among her most recent works, is the New York Times bestselling novel, Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker. (Publisher Provided) Jennifer Chiaverini is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago. She is an American quilter and author. Her books include the Elm Creek Quilts series as well as five collections of quilt patterns inspired by her novels. She designs the Elm Creek Quilts fabric lines from Red Rooster Fabrics. She was also a writing instructor at Penn State and Edgewood College. Jennifer is also the author of bestselling novels Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, The Spymistress and Mrs. Lincoln's Rival. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Elm Creek Quilts Set (1-3) (1-3)
- Alternate titles
- An Elm Creek Quilts Sampler
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Statistics
- Members
- 275
- Popularity
- 117,831
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (4.16)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 2
