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Elm Creek Quilts #18
The Wedding Quilt
The New York Times bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series continues, with a novel that celebrates one of America's most romantic and enduring traditions.
Sarah McClure arrived at Elm Creek Manor as a newlywed, never suspecting that her quilting lessons with master quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson would inspire the successful and enduring business Elm Creek Quilts, whose members have nurtured a circle of friendship spanning generations.
The Wedding Quilt opens as the wedding day of Sarah's daughter Caroline approaches. As Sarah has learned, a union celebrates not only the betrothed couple's passage into wedlock, but also the contributions of those who have made the bride and groom the unique people they are. Thus Sarah's thoughts are filled with brides of Elm Creek Manor past and present-the traditions they honored, the legacies they bequeathed, and the wedding quilts that contain their stories in every stitch.
A wedding quilt is a powerful of sisterhood, of community, of hope for the future. The blocks in Caroline's wedding quilt will display the signatures of beloved guests. As the Elm Creek Quilters circulate amid the festive preparations with pens and fabric in hand, memories of the Manor-and of the women who have lived there, in happiness and in sorrow-spill forth, rendering a vivid pastiche of family, friendship, and love in all its varieties.
Sarah McClure arrived at Elm Creek Manor as a newlywed, never suspecting that her quilting lessons with master quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson would inspire the successful and enduring business Elm Creek Quilts, whose members have nurtured a circle of friendship spanning generations.
The Wedding Quilt opens as the wedding day of Sarah's daughter Caroline approaches. As Sarah has learned, a union celebrates not only the betrothed couple's passage into wedlock, but also the contributions of those who have made the bride and groom the unique people they are. Thus Sarah's thoughts are filled with brides of Elm Creek Manor past and present-the traditions they honored, the legacies they bequeathed, and the wedding quilts that contain their stories in every stitch.
A wedding quilt is a powerful of sisterhood, of community, of hope for the future. The blocks in Caroline's wedding quilt will display the signatures of beloved guests. As the Elm Creek Quilters circulate amid the festive preparations with pens and fabric in hand, memories of the Manor-and of the women who have lived there, in happiness and in sorrow-spill forth, rendering a vivid pastiche of family, friendship, and love in all its varieties.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
261 people are currently reading
2843 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Chiaverini
78 books5,233 followersJennifer Chiaverini is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-three novels, including acclaimed historical fiction and the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series. She has also written seven quilt pattern books inspired by her novels. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago, she lives with her husband and two sons in Madison, Wisconsin. About her historical fiction, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes, "In addition to simply being fascinating stories, these novels go a long way in capturing the texture of life for women, rich and poor, black and white, in those perilous years."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews
December 30, 2011
I have a feeling that you will either love it (having not read the other books) or dislike it based on the JUMP in time and the recapping of all the loose story lines out there. I got the feeling that this was closure to Elm Creek Quilts-- without telling the fans who have read all 17 books that this was happening. I would have rather read a book about the Aloha Quilt Camp and experience the wedding first had. I would have rather read a book about how Sylvia found her California relative and the story there. I got the feeling that Jennifer Chiaverini was tired of the story lines and just closed them in a few paragraphs of remembering. And the twins, it would have been fun to follow them through their growing up and explore the relationships of a daughter not interested in quilting and son who was. Sigh, I will await what is next, but, I really would like to know Jennifer's thinking on this one.
November 23, 2011
Initial thoughts (186 pages read) - I wonder why this novel was written almost entirely as a recap of the past 20 years. It is set in the future, with Sarah and Matt's twins grown up and the daughter getting married. Instead of the novel focusing on the wedding, or the events leading up to the wedding, it is telling the story of every single Elm Creek quilter over the past 20-30 years. It's an odd way of telling the story.
Final thoughts - My initial opinion still stands. Way too much flashback, very little plot connecting the thread of stories. It was an ok book, just not good. I found myself skimming, trying to get back the actual wedding. If these stories needed to be included in the series, they should have taken up several additional books instead of cramming 25 years of back story into one novel.
Also, the inclusion of future details was odd. It sounded like, in only the next 25 years, the US will have adopted universal health care, much increased pay for teachers, completely rechargeable cars, and survived a huge environmental crisis. These details were interjected into the story and played no relevance to the plot, but they weren't elaborated on. Too much of a teaser. The story could have been set in 2011 without the mention of these futuristic changes.
I'm bummed. I was the fifth or sixth person at my library to read this book. I wanted it to be all about quilting, sharing more of the intimate lives of some of my favorite characters. Sadly, those two aspects were completely lacking.
Final thoughts - My initial opinion still stands. Way too much flashback, very little plot connecting the thread of stories. It was an ok book, just not good. I found myself skimming, trying to get back the actual wedding. If these stories needed to be included in the series, they should have taken up several additional books instead of cramming 25 years of back story into one novel.
Also, the inclusion of future details was odd. It sounded like, in only the next 25 years, the US will have adopted universal health care, much increased pay for teachers, completely rechargeable cars, and survived a huge environmental crisis. These details were interjected into the story and played no relevance to the plot, but they weren't elaborated on. Too much of a teaser. The story could have been set in 2011 without the mention of these futuristic changes.
I'm bummed. I was the fifth or sixth person at my library to read this book. I wanted it to be all about quilting, sharing more of the intimate lives of some of my favorite characters. Sadly, those two aspects were completely lacking.
October 23, 2011
This is the 18th book in the Elm Creek series.
I have read them all and in order but I will admit when I started this one I was a little lost as so many years had past since the last one. Once I understood that I enjoyedhte walk down memory lane in this book, while learning some new pieces to the puzzle.
Sarah's daughter Caroline is getting married. This is the book of everyone coming back together for the wedding and as we do this Sarah has a few walks donw memory lane. To me it was sort of a remonder book of what has gone on in the past books and really I was grateful. I read a lot of books and as these only coming out yearly, it is hard to remember everyone and everything.
I have read them all and in order but I will admit when I started this one I was a little lost as so many years had past since the last one. Once I understood that I enjoyedhte walk down memory lane in this book, while learning some new pieces to the puzzle.
Sarah's daughter Caroline is getting married. This is the book of everyone coming back together for the wedding and as we do this Sarah has a few walks donw memory lane. To me it was sort of a remonder book of what has gone on in the past books and really I was grateful. I read a lot of books and as these only coming out yearly, it is hard to remember everyone and everything.
November 19, 2011
I believe that this is the worst book that Chiaverini has ever written. I normally adore her books and eagerly wait for the next title to be released.
I will not reveal the plot, but I will say that I did not like the futuristic twist or the flashbacks. I thought that the story was aburd and difficult to follow.
I will not reveal the plot, but I will say that I did not like the futuristic twist or the flashbacks. I thought that the story was aburd and difficult to follow.
June 13, 2012
Ever since I first read The Quiter’s Apprentice I have been a big fan of the Elm Creek Quilt series. I really enjoyed the characters that Chiaverini had created and looked forward to visiting with them in each new book. Then the author detoured into other time periods and began writing about other quilters, most notably Sylvia’s cousin, Elizabeth, who moved to California during the Prohibition Era and their Civil War era ancestors, Anneka and Gerda. At first, even the books that explored other eras also featured the original Elm Creek Quilters (for example when Sylvia discovers Gerda’s memoirs, the book alternated between Gerda’s story and the story of Sylvia discovering and reacting to this new bit of family history and its implications) but as the series progressed, the author neglected her original characters more and more,. I was frustrated by this because A) I loved the original characters so much and B) Chiaverini had left a lot of unresolved plot points dangling in the current timeline: including the integration of several new Elm Creek Quilters, several couples in the process of coming together or growing apart, and Sarah pregnant with twins.
So I was excited to read The Wedding Quilt because we were finally going to visit with my favorite characters and see what they had been up to. And now that I have finished the book, I am sorry to say that I was very disappointed. The book takes place 25 years in the future when Sarah daughter (who we haven’t even met yet before now) is getting married. As a result, the book bounces back and forth between Sarah getting ready for the wedding and reminiscing about everything that has led up to this point. The jump ahead to the future was incredibly annoying. The little futuristic touches that Chiaverini throws in (from the new kind of gaming console that Diane’s son, Michael, invented to the social changes just came across as silly or preachy or –like much of this book – half baked afterthoughts). The story, itself, is presented in a series of flashback and summaries, usually in the same tone and with the same amount of depth and development that the author uses when recapping information from past books. The birth of Sarah’s twins, the passing of several beloved characters (including Sylvia and Agnes) are all glossed over without any real emotional impact which is almost disrespectful to the characters we have come to care for over the series. And Chiaverini rushes through several romantic relationships with a callous “lets-just-jump-to-the-end” attitude that was just completely unsatisfying and annoying.
If the author had run out of things to say about this particular group of characters but was feeling some pressure to wrap up their stories for the fans, I could maybe begin to understand why the author wrote this half-hearted perfunctory book but there were several plot points that easily could been developed into much more satisfying books or Hall integrated with another book to provide a more interest counterpoint between the characters in this timeline and those from an earlier era. (The storyline of Agnes trying to save the historic Union Hall would have made a nice counterpoint to the events of The Union Quilters which told of how the hall was created and would have given the author the opportunity to visit with characters from both the past and the present). All in all, I am beginning to get a little disenchanted with the series and if something doesn’t change in the next few books, I have to say that I am more likely to re-read one of the earlier books than pick up one of the new ones.
So I was excited to read The Wedding Quilt because we were finally going to visit with my favorite characters and see what they had been up to. And now that I have finished the book, I am sorry to say that I was very disappointed. The book takes place 25 years in the future when Sarah daughter (who we haven’t even met yet before now) is getting married. As a result, the book bounces back and forth between Sarah getting ready for the wedding and reminiscing about everything that has led up to this point. The jump ahead to the future was incredibly annoying. The little futuristic touches that Chiaverini throws in (from the new kind of gaming console that Diane’s son, Michael, invented to the social changes just came across as silly or preachy or –like much of this book – half baked afterthoughts). The story, itself, is presented in a series of flashback and summaries, usually in the same tone and with the same amount of depth and development that the author uses when recapping information from past books. The birth of Sarah’s twins, the passing of several beloved characters (including Sylvia and Agnes) are all glossed over without any real emotional impact which is almost disrespectful to the characters we have come to care for over the series. And Chiaverini rushes through several romantic relationships with a callous “lets-just-jump-to-the-end” attitude that was just completely unsatisfying and annoying.
If the author had run out of things to say about this particular group of characters but was feeling some pressure to wrap up their stories for the fans, I could maybe begin to understand why the author wrote this half-hearted perfunctory book but there were several plot points that easily could been developed into much more satisfying books or Hall integrated with another book to provide a more interest counterpoint between the characters in this timeline and those from an earlier era. (The storyline of Agnes trying to save the historic Union Hall would have made a nice counterpoint to the events of The Union Quilters which told of how the hall was created and would have given the author the opportunity to visit with characters from both the past and the present). All in all, I am beginning to get a little disenchanted with the series and if something doesn’t change in the next few books, I have to say that I am more likely to re-read one of the earlier books than pick up one of the new ones.
September 8, 2012
I've faithfully read every one of the Elm Creek Quilts books in order. And this is the latest installment. While a lot of these could be read stand alone, I think too much background information is lost to read it that way if you plan on reading the entire series. Although, it seems that with each book Chiaverini gets further and further away from the comfort of the first books.
It's several years into the future and Sarah McClure's daughter is getting married. As she prepares for the wedding at Elm Creek Manor, Sarah reminisces back over the previous twenty five years to when the twins were born and certain events that happen during those years. Most notably, a lot of time is given to the saving of Union Hall from development and it's place as a historic building on the register to protect it. The Elm Creek Quilter's were a big part of that and she goes on to describe how it happens. There is also a long sequence on the birth of the twins and little snippets of other stories here and there interspersed with greeting guests for the wedding and working on a surprise quilt for her daughter.
Even though I knew all the characters in this book, I have to say, they just didn't feel like themselves. Sarah has always been a bit standoffish to me but in this book she completely didn't seem herself and more like a stranger. Her husband Matt was even worse as I couldn't bring myself to like him at all. Sylvia was absent, what with it being twenty five years in the future and her an old lady in even the original books, and many of the other characters were departed or unable to attend due to age. It was rather depressing actually. Sarah's children I felt no connection to as we were rushed through most of their childhood and only got glimpses of them in this book. So I really didn't care about the wedding at all since I didn't know the character. While some of the old characters were glimpsed in the flashbacks by Sarah, those were the only times that I really felt connected to the book and they weren't near long enough.
Because of all the flashbacks the book was terribly hard to sink into. It was jarring to read and I would have preferred that Chiaverini actually take the time to take all these events and make their own book. Starting this far in the future made it seem as if she is done with the series and that's all fine and dandy if she is, except that I know there's another book after this one. So it will be interesting to see what that contains since everything else is wrapped up in this book. At the very least it may signal that she's done with this particular set of characters, which will be disappointing as I didn't care for her historic forays in the series that much and that seems to be what will be left in the series. There was very little about quilting in this book as well and while a sub plot was started up about quilting, I never actually saw the ending too it, although it could have been lost in the confusion of the subplots I suppose. I wanted so much to like this book in spite of the ending of my favorite characters, but even the writing style left much to be desired.
Just not the book I thought it was going to be. Depending on the next book in the series I may choose to discontinue reading these books as I become more and more disappointed with each one. Authors have a right to choose to write about something else, but as a reader I have the right to continue not to read if that does happen. I can only hope Chiaverini somehow gets back to the characters I love after this one.
The Wedding Quilt
Copyright 2011
321 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2012
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
It's several years into the future and Sarah McClure's daughter is getting married. As she prepares for the wedding at Elm Creek Manor, Sarah reminisces back over the previous twenty five years to when the twins were born and certain events that happen during those years. Most notably, a lot of time is given to the saving of Union Hall from development and it's place as a historic building on the register to protect it. The Elm Creek Quilter's were a big part of that and she goes on to describe how it happens. There is also a long sequence on the birth of the twins and little snippets of other stories here and there interspersed with greeting guests for the wedding and working on a surprise quilt for her daughter.
Even though I knew all the characters in this book, I have to say, they just didn't feel like themselves. Sarah has always been a bit standoffish to me but in this book she completely didn't seem herself and more like a stranger. Her husband Matt was even worse as I couldn't bring myself to like him at all. Sylvia was absent, what with it being twenty five years in the future and her an old lady in even the original books, and many of the other characters were departed or unable to attend due to age. It was rather depressing actually. Sarah's children I felt no connection to as we were rushed through most of their childhood and only got glimpses of them in this book. So I really didn't care about the wedding at all since I didn't know the character. While some of the old characters were glimpsed in the flashbacks by Sarah, those were the only times that I really felt connected to the book and they weren't near long enough.
Because of all the flashbacks the book was terribly hard to sink into. It was jarring to read and I would have preferred that Chiaverini actually take the time to take all these events and make their own book. Starting this far in the future made it seem as if she is done with the series and that's all fine and dandy if she is, except that I know there's another book after this one. So it will be interesting to see what that contains since everything else is wrapped up in this book. At the very least it may signal that she's done with this particular set of characters, which will be disappointing as I didn't care for her historic forays in the series that much and that seems to be what will be left in the series. There was very little about quilting in this book as well and while a sub plot was started up about quilting, I never actually saw the ending too it, although it could have been lost in the confusion of the subplots I suppose. I wanted so much to like this book in spite of the ending of my favorite characters, but even the writing style left much to be desired.
Just not the book I thought it was going to be. Depending on the next book in the series I may choose to discontinue reading these books as I become more and more disappointed with each one. Authors have a right to choose to write about something else, but as a reader I have the right to continue not to read if that does happen. I can only hope Chiaverini somehow gets back to the characters I love after this one.
The Wedding Quilt
Copyright 2011
321 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2012
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
June 29, 2012
STruggling to get through this book. It is set in the future, but you only get an inkling for this with very subtle clues. No particular date has been mentioned yet. Very dry and slow moving. I feel like I am reading through molassas! I loved some of the other Elm-Creek quilt books, but this is just slow. I hope it picks up soon.
I'm very disappointed, but I can't read anymore! This story is the story of a women in the future whos daughter is getting married. The author tries to punch the main story line with side stories that happen to be summaries of her other quilting books. While the Author has a very interesting idea for a story, it just doesn't work. The reader ends up losing cohesion of the main story while the author takes these side trips re-telling the other elm creek history through flashbacks. So, we are aquainted with the characters past and present which is also confusing. This story must have been as tedious to write as it is to read. I got through to page 156 . . . I can't fight myself to read anymore :(
I'm very disappointed, but I can't read anymore! This story is the story of a women in the future whos daughter is getting married. The author tries to punch the main story line with side stories that happen to be summaries of her other quilting books. While the Author has a very interesting idea for a story, it just doesn't work. The reader ends up losing cohesion of the main story while the author takes these side trips re-telling the other elm creek history through flashbacks. So, we are aquainted with the characters past and present which is also confusing. This story must have been as tedious to write as it is to read. I got through to page 156 . . . I can't fight myself to read anymore :(
September 16, 2021
Seems to be last book of series and spans 25 years. 😢. It seems rushed and underdeveloped. Would have been nice for her to have written those 25 years in the manner in which it deserved; over multiple books! I’m very disappointed. What the heck happened Jennifer??
I wrote this review voluntarily.
I wrote this review voluntarily.
March 20, 2022
Such an extraordinary conclusion to a book series I have come to truly love! I have listened to the audible versions of all 18 books in the Elm Creek Quilts series over the past several months as I worked on my own quilting. I have felt so connected to each of the characters and the family history that unfolds through the series as the books went back and forth through time as far back as the mid 1800s. I was concerned when I read the summary of the Wedding Quilt, as I was afraid there would be a lot of “missed time,” considering the story was about a main character’s daughter getting married already, as she had just been born in the previous book. On the contrary, the author did a phenomenal job wrapping up the stories of each character and how their lives had evolved over the gap of time between books. Although I was sad to come to the end of what felt like a long journey of friendship, I am so glad I was along for the “ride!”
I highly recommend this series for any that share my love of quilts and historical fiction, as a few of the books were set in the 19th & 20th centuries.
I highly recommend this series for any that share my love of quilts and historical fiction, as a few of the books were set in the 19th & 20th centuries.
March 18, 2020
I just finished reading Book #20 a few days ago and I feel like I’m reading the same book over again!! Some of the descriptions are identical. I’m finishing this one because I’ve read all the others, but it’s a struggle. The flipping back and forth in time drove me crazy and why was it taking place in 2028?
My other gripe is why would you give all the characters names starting with the same letter - Agnes, Anna, Anneke, Claudia, Carol, Constance, Caroline, Diane, Dorothea, Gwen, Gretchen, Gerda, Gina, Joe, Joseph, Jeremy, James, Matt, Michael, Sarah, Sylvia, Summer. There are so many characters it would have helped to have easier names to remember, especially with Sylvia and Sarah.
I’m glad to be finished quilting and I think Ms Chiaverini is too.
I will have to add that her novel Resistance Women is a masterpiece - it’s like she grew up overnight!
My other gripe is why would you give all the characters names starting with the same letter - Agnes, Anna, Anneke, Claudia, Carol, Constance, Caroline, Diane, Dorothea, Gwen, Gretchen, Gerda, Gina, Joe, Joseph, Jeremy, James, Matt, Michael, Sarah, Sylvia, Summer. There are so many characters it would have helped to have easier names to remember, especially with Sylvia and Sarah.
I’m glad to be finished quilting and I think Ms Chiaverini is too.
I will have to add that her novel Resistance Women is a masterpiece - it’s like she grew up overnight!
September 20, 2020
A nice visit (in the future) with the Elm Creek Quilters. Basically a lovely story, but got bogged down in the middle with playing catch up on so many things. Still, I enjoyed spending time with the ladies of Elm Creek.
March 20, 2019
Interesting. I learned a great deal about quilts and the history of Elm Creek Manor. Easy, simple read.
January 12, 2012
I was pretty excited to get this book, but it immediately became apparent that I wasn't getting what I was expecting.
What I expected: First of all, at the end of "The Aloha Quilt", Bonnie came home and Sarah had had her twins, so I expected to hear the birth story and their names. At the same time, there was the unresolved storyline about Sylvia contacting some of her California relatives - I expected the title of this one to refer to Elizabeth's lost wedding quilt and a search for that.
Instead, it's 25 years in the future. The two events referenced above are told in long, boring flashbacks. The whole "will Sylvia change her will" storyline is just annoying because we know from before the flashback that Sarah is living in the manor with her family and Melissa is not. So however it's resolved, it turns out OK for the McClures and the Elm Creek Quilters. There's also a lot of repeated information, par for the course in this series, including a 10-page recap of Jeremy and Anna's romance. I think it's obvious that the series is winding down and this book failed to deliver the "book candy" feeling I've gotten from so many of the previous books. Bonnie's wedding was dealt with briefly, and that didn't bother me, but the fight to save Union Hall also could have been written out in it's own book, especially since its creation had a book all to itself. And how self-absorbed are Sarah and Sylvia that they didn't know the subject of Jeremy's book? That was really a disappointment.
For the few things I like in this book,there's something else I dislike even more, even in the small details. For example, the idea of an "aughts" party is cute and I cannot wait for my kids to go to one someday. But the fact that "date night" is rare - Why? You live with two couples who wish they were grandparents but aren't, as well as a young couple who have a child. What is preventing Sylvia or Gretchen or both from watching the children? Or taking turns watching each other's children with Anna? Especially once the twins are 3 (when the remark about date nights being rare is made)? I can see that it would be difficult during the "on" season, but not in the "off" season.
I realize that this is longer than my normal reviews and sort of rambling, but I have to add that I was glad that the sections on politics and video games were kept blessedly short and I did really enjoy the ending. Not the secret engagement, the other ending. Almost gave it 3 stars for that but in the end I couldn't do it. This book was more a series of essays than a real story.
UPDATE: I checked her website (elmcreek.net) and learned that the next book will be set in California and that ends her current contract. She says she has a verbal contract for 3 more books after that, it will be interesting to see where the series goes after that.
What I expected: First of all, at the end of "The Aloha Quilt", Bonnie came home and Sarah had had her twins, so I expected to hear the birth story and their names. At the same time, there was the unresolved storyline about Sylvia contacting some of her California relatives - I expected the title of this one to refer to Elizabeth's lost wedding quilt and a search for that.
Instead, it's 25 years in the future. The two events referenced above are told in long, boring flashbacks. The whole "will Sylvia change her will" storyline is just annoying because we know from before the flashback that Sarah is living in the manor with her family and Melissa is not. So however it's resolved, it turns out OK for the McClures and the Elm Creek Quilters. There's also a lot of repeated information, par for the course in this series, including a 10-page recap of Jeremy and Anna's romance. I think it's obvious that the series is winding down and this book failed to deliver the "book candy" feeling I've gotten from so many of the previous books. Bonnie's wedding was dealt with briefly, and that didn't bother me, but the fight to save Union Hall also could have been written out in it's own book, especially since its creation had a book all to itself. And how self-absorbed are Sarah and Sylvia that they didn't know the subject of Jeremy's book? That was really a disappointment.
For the few things I like in this book,there's something else I dislike even more, even in the small details. For example, the idea of an "aughts" party is cute and I cannot wait for my kids to go to one someday. But the fact that "date night" is rare - Why? You live with two couples who wish they were grandparents but aren't, as well as a young couple who have a child. What is preventing Sylvia or Gretchen or both from watching the children? Or taking turns watching each other's children with Anna? Especially once the twins are 3 (when the remark about date nights being rare is made)? I can see that it would be difficult during the "on" season, but not in the "off" season.
I realize that this is longer than my normal reviews and sort of rambling, but I have to add that I was glad that the sections on politics and video games were kept blessedly short and I did really enjoy the ending. Not the secret engagement, the other ending. Almost gave it 3 stars for that but in the end I couldn't do it. This book was more a series of essays than a real story.
UPDATE: I checked her website (elmcreek.net) and learned that the next book will be set in California and that ends her current contract. She says she has a verbal contract for 3 more books after that, it will be interesting to see where the series goes after that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2011
In Jennifer Chiaverini's The Wedding Quilt, the story of the Elm Creek Quilters seems to be coming to a close. This is a wonderful series, of which I have read almost every book. The story begins with the invitation to Sarah and Matt's daughter Caroline's wedding - about 20 years after the last book was set. As Sarah waits for her daughter to arrive at Elm Creek Manor, she remembers the day Caroline and her twin brother James were born.
This pattern continues throughout the book. The current wedding story line is interwoven with stories from the past. It is a good way for readers of the series to catch up with their favorite quilters with glimpses into their lives for the last 20 years. Readers are also able to learn some items that we didn't know - for example, how active Agnes was in the community and why she had attached herself so deeply to Waterford.
There's a little bit of drama throughout the book, in various story lines, that keeps the book moving. There's also sadness. I came to the conclusion about 1/3 of the way through that this was probably the end of a series I really liked. According to Jennifer's website, this is not the last book in the series - that there is probably 1 more book to go. Even with the feeling that it was drawing to a close, I enjoyed this book. It brought closure to several story lines from other books, and it's a nice book-end to the first book, when Sarah arrives at Elm Creek Manor to work for Sylvia. I wonder where she will take the quilters next and who the next generation of Elm Creek Quilters will be?
I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This pattern continues throughout the book. The current wedding story line is interwoven with stories from the past. It is a good way for readers of the series to catch up with their favorite quilters with glimpses into their lives for the last 20 years. Readers are also able to learn some items that we didn't know - for example, how active Agnes was in the community and why she had attached herself so deeply to Waterford.
There's a little bit of drama throughout the book, in various story lines, that keeps the book moving. There's also sadness. I came to the conclusion about 1/3 of the way through that this was probably the end of a series I really liked. According to Jennifer's website, this is not the last book in the series - that there is probably 1 more book to go. Even with the feeling that it was drawing to a close, I enjoyed this book. It brought closure to several story lines from other books, and it's a nice book-end to the first book, when Sarah arrives at Elm Creek Manor to work for Sylvia. I wonder where she will take the quilters next and who the next generation of Elm Creek Quilters will be?
I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
December 15, 2024
Not my favorite of the series, but interesting to revisit previous stories intermingled with new tales.
September 4, 2012
Let's just get this out of the way right off the bat...I am a huge fan of Jennifer Chiaverini. She is from my home state of Wisconsin and I have seen her twice now when she has come to California to research and promote her books. With that being said...
The Wedding Quilt held great expectations for me as I was finally going to find out the identities of Sarah and Matthew McClure's babies. I was so excited to begin reading then quickly found out that the story actually takes place light years ahead at the wedding of daughter, Caroline to her beau, Leo. Wow! I was completely stunned and actually felt a little cheated out of all those years that I missed and were only touched on through reminiscing passages in the
book. However I happily continued reading.
The story actually takes place the week of the wedding and walks through some of Sarah's memories of years gone by. It brings to light more details of where some of the characters are after all these many years and what is to become of the future for them.
Overall I would have to say that this probably wasn't my most favorite book of the series. But in all honesty, I think I need to start over and begin to read them from the first book forward so I can capture some of the details that I have lone since forgotten and probably glossed over the first time through.With this being said, I am going to give this book a low rating for now until I can come back and re-read it again. Maybe my mind will change, but I was left with a sad disappointment that this book really wasn't what I had thought it would be.
The Wedding Quilt held great expectations for me as I was finally going to find out the identities of Sarah and Matthew McClure's babies. I was so excited to begin reading then quickly found out that the story actually takes place light years ahead at the wedding of daughter, Caroline to her beau, Leo. Wow! I was completely stunned and actually felt a little cheated out of all those years that I missed and were only touched on through reminiscing passages in the
book. However I happily continued reading.
The story actually takes place the week of the wedding and walks through some of Sarah's memories of years gone by. It brings to light more details of where some of the characters are after all these many years and what is to become of the future for them.
Overall I would have to say that this probably wasn't my most favorite book of the series. But in all honesty, I think I need to start over and begin to read them from the first book forward so I can capture some of the details that I have lone since forgotten and probably glossed over the first time through.With this being said, I am going to give this book a low rating for now until I can come back and re-read it again. Maybe my mind will change, but I was left with a sad disappointment that this book really wasn't what I had thought it would be.
December 4, 2019
It's no secret that I love this series, so my reviews show a certain bias. The Wedding Quilt is set 25 years in the future and that's a bit hard to pull off, so I was skeptical at first, but I really enjoyed this one. Sarah & Matt's daughter is getting married, their son is poised to take over Elm Creek Quilts, Agnes & Sylvia have passed on, and through flashbacks we get the story of each of the Elm Creek Quilters over the 25 years in between the last book & this one.
Chiaverini doesn't try to write a futuristic story, even though there are some of those moments (cars are fully electric, apparently), she actually stays with the personal stories that made me fall in love with the series. As Sarah is greeting guests & preparing for the wedding, she recalls how each of the Elm Creek Quilters has influenced her life & the life of her daughter. It's a sweet and completely natural storyline that brings back some of the characters who "moved away" in earlier books. I couldn't put it down, and yes, there were a few tears and lots of heartfelt "AWWWs". If you're a fan, you won't be disappointed.
One thing -- I would not choose this one as your first ECQ book. It could stand alone, but the emotional impact of each of the storylines will be so much more if you have already met the characters and feel some connection.
Chiaverini doesn't try to write a futuristic story, even though there are some of those moments (cars are fully electric, apparently), she actually stays with the personal stories that made me fall in love with the series. As Sarah is greeting guests & preparing for the wedding, she recalls how each of the Elm Creek Quilters has influenced her life & the life of her daughter. It's a sweet and completely natural storyline that brings back some of the characters who "moved away" in earlier books. I couldn't put it down, and yes, there were a few tears and lots of heartfelt "AWWWs". If you're a fan, you won't be disappointed.
One thing -- I would not choose this one as your first ECQ book. It could stand alone, but the emotional impact of each of the storylines will be so much more if you have already met the characters and feel some connection.
June 27, 2013
I have to say, I was disappointed. I have read all the books in the series up to this one, and was excited to revisit familiar characters... instead I was just left annoyed. Way too much of the book recaps story lines from past installments in the series, which I have to think is not enough information for those unfamiliar to the series, and yet is too much for those who have already read the books. I don't want every previous book in the series summarized for me in this novel!
Then there is the fact that this book is set 25 years in the future... thankfully the "future" part disappears after the first few chapters, because Chiaverini's heavy-handed attempts at sci-fi-esque future details were quite annoying.
But even more annoying was that almost the entire book is set in past-tense, as Sarah remembering what has happened in the last 25 years. It makes it hard to keep the people straight, even for someone who was previously acquainted with them. And it is even harder to care, when it has all been played out already, ending in this rose-colored moment of Caroline's wedding. And really 25 years is too much to summarize in one book satisfactorily (especially when so much time is spent on stories the faithful reader already knows).
So overally, a definite disappointment.
Then there is the fact that this book is set 25 years in the future... thankfully the "future" part disappears after the first few chapters, because Chiaverini's heavy-handed attempts at sci-fi-esque future details were quite annoying.
But even more annoying was that almost the entire book is set in past-tense, as Sarah remembering what has happened in the last 25 years. It makes it hard to keep the people straight, even for someone who was previously acquainted with them. And it is even harder to care, when it has all been played out already, ending in this rose-colored moment of Caroline's wedding. And really 25 years is too much to summarize in one book satisfactorily (especially when so much time is spent on stories the faithful reader already knows).
So overally, a definite disappointment.
June 18, 2013
The 18th book in the Elm Creek Quilts series makes a large initial time jump of 25 years from the prior book, where Sarah was just getting ready to give birth to her twins. We are now approaching the wedding of her daughter. As the wedding nears, we see flashbacks to the preceding years as well as some overlap review of a couple of the prior books. To Sarah's surprise, it is her son, rather than her daughter, Caroline that takes an interest and becomes a quilter. We see both sad and happy moments as the quilters' lives move forward, with both births, marriages, and deaths. The quilters discover the historical importance of Union Hall (as first shown in The Union Quilters). We also see some of the tie-in with Sylvia's long lost family (Quilter's Homecoming), and the more contemporary journey of Bonnie to Hawaii (Aloha Quilt). While it was a little disconcerting to have such a big jump in time, it was interesting to see how the characters grew and changed. While not my favorite book in the series, the author did a nice job of pulling the story threads together into a cohesive history.
April 22, 2012
I think this is the book series equivalent of the Seinfeld finale, with even less of a plot. Almost the whole story is flashback, and each episode either recaps previous books or provides a small addition to them.
I had read the very first book fairly recently, picked up on a whim from the used book sale at the library, and enjoyed it. When I saw this one on the new book list, I picked it up expecting it to be a similarly light and enjoyable read. Instead it was tedious, and now I'm not sure if I want to read the in-between books, since I've basically gotten plot summaries for at least a few of them.
In that way, it was especially similar to my Seinfeld finale experience because I had only watched a few episodes before I watched that, so despite being all flashback, it didn't feel like "just a clip show" to me.
The stories told in this book were all new to me, and I would probably have enjoyed them had I read them as their own books, but if I had previously read all the other books, I doubt I would have given this book even the 2 stars.
I had read the very first book fairly recently, picked up on a whim from the used book sale at the library, and enjoyed it. When I saw this one on the new book list, I picked it up expecting it to be a similarly light and enjoyable read. Instead it was tedious, and now I'm not sure if I want to read the in-between books, since I've basically gotten plot summaries for at least a few of them.
In that way, it was especially similar to my Seinfeld finale experience because I had only watched a few episodes before I watched that, so despite being all flashback, it didn't feel like "just a clip show" to me.
The stories told in this book were all new to me, and I would probably have enjoyed them had I read them as their own books, but if I had previously read all the other books, I doubt I would have given this book even the 2 stars.
November 7, 2011
I am about 3/4 done with this book and had to stop and write a review. I love the Elm Creek Quilts series and was really excited to pick this book up a few days ago. But I must be honest, I'm not loving it. So far, it is my least favorite book in the series. There is not much of a plot and most of the book is simply rehashing events that happened in previous books.
The book far in the future when Sara's daughter Caroline is getting married. The rest of the book fills in some of the missing pieces about what has happened in the 25 years since she was born. However, most of this has been covered in other books and the time gap is just too big for me. It's a nice overview of the series, but you would do better to read the other books leading up to it if you want the full stories. I don't know if I want to finish this book or not, but I do hate to put it down since I've read all of the others.
The book far in the future when Sara's daughter Caroline is getting married. The rest of the book fills in some of the missing pieces about what has happened in the 25 years since she was born. However, most of this has been covered in other books and the time gap is just too big for me. It's a nice overview of the series, but you would do better to read the other books leading up to it if you want the full stories. I don't know if I want to finish this book or not, but I do hate to put it down since I've read all of the others.
July 18, 2014
I think Mrs. Chiaverini has gotten tired of our Elm Creek Quilters. I didn't enjoy the time jump, but it was the inconsistencies that killed it for me. If you're going to write 20 books with intertwining characters and stories then you should keep notes because we will notice when entire characters go missing or when plot lines don't match. So sad, this is the series that started me on quilting and I'm sad to see that it ended so badly. (This isn't the first book with inconsistencies, but it is the first with glaring mistakes: "Sylvia had once declared that Gerda Bergstrom's apple strudel had never tasted better than when prepared with Matt's apples. That was on the Christmas before Gerda's death, at age ninety-three, when the twins were ten years old." Um, how is it that Gerda died when the twins were ten? Shouldn't that had said Sylvia's death? Just an example of how the author and editor did not really care about this book.)
November 19, 2011
I didn't care for this book nearly as much as her other 17 that I have read. The plot is more about wrapping up a dozen different story lines from previous books, than in engaging us in new characters that we grow to love.
Here is an example of what I disliked about the book (describing Sylvia's passing):
"Sylvia had once declared that Gerda Bergstrom's apple strudel had never tasted better...That was on the Christmas before Gerda's death, when the twins were ten years old."(100)
And two quotes I loved:
Agnes: "One can never have too many librarian friends." (225)
Sarah: "The days were long, but the years were short." (298)
Don't read this if you are unfamiliar with the series already. But if you have read many of the others, and are looking for closure - this will probably work for you.
Here is an example of what I disliked about the book (describing Sylvia's passing):
"Sylvia had once declared that Gerda Bergstrom's apple strudel had never tasted better...That was on the Christmas before Gerda's death, when the twins were ten years old."(100)
And two quotes I loved:
Agnes: "One can never have too many librarian friends." (225)
Sarah: "The days were long, but the years were short." (298)
Don't read this if you are unfamiliar with the series already. But if you have read many of the others, and are looking for closure - this will probably work for you.
November 25, 2011
This book is rather meandering. It is 2028 and Sarah's daughter Caroline is getting married at Elm Creek Manor with lots of friends and quilters together. Sarah is reminded of other events as the wedding day gets closer. The book seems to close some chapters of other books and fills out the endings of other storylines in other books of the series. It was nice to know about the sad demise of Union Hall, which the Union Quilters built and then meet for the quilting bees, and how Agnes and a group of quilters and historians were able to save the building before Agnes passed away. The book ended the tales of Sylvia and Agnes and a few other quilters. Is this the last book of the series? I found it difficult to travel from one time frame to another and yet another time frame with different quilters in each storyline.
February 2, 2012
I read the first in this series many years ago when it first came out. I thought it was dull and stupid, but others have mentioned that later ones got better so when I saw this at the library I decided to give Chiaverini another chance.
Instead of being an exciting story about quilts and quilters, this one is even worse. It is many long flashbacks into the past- apparently a recapping of the other books in the series I missed. The author tries with little success to create some intrigue in each of these side tracks, but it simply doesn't work. This is just empty and petty, not entertaining and a pure waste of time.
Instead of being an exciting story about quilts and quilters, this one is even worse. It is many long flashbacks into the past- apparently a recapping of the other books in the series I missed. The author tries with little success to create some intrigue in each of these side tracks, but it simply doesn't work. This is just empty and petty, not entertaining and a pure waste of time.
March 8, 2012
Wow! Not impressed and I really wanted to be. I was really curious as to what had happened to all the characters, but this book seemed like Jennifer was just totally sick of all of them.
I really thought the "flash forward" 25 years was an awkward time period and the "flash backs" to everyone's lives was too gimmicky and frankly made the book boring.
Hopefully the next one will be MUCH better!
I really thought the "flash forward" 25 years was an awkward time period and the "flash backs" to everyone's lives was too gimmicky and frankly made the book boring.
Hopefully the next one will be MUCH better!
March 31, 2020
I didn’t realize that this was #18 in the book series about quilts when I borrowed it from my library (via kindle) during the Coronavirus stay at home. I was looking for something mindless about the trials of planning a wedding. What I got was a book that kept going from the present back to the past and back to the present. Never made it to the end...I’ve enjoyed Jennifer Chiaverini’s other books, but not this one.
June 10, 2013
This is the book that caused a permanent, forever break between Jennifer Chiaverini and me. Set in the not-so-distant future it brings the reader up to date with the characters of her Quilt Camp.
But ugh, this book is so trite. She's just phoning in the stories now because she knows that her fan base will read anything that she writes.
But ugh, this book is so trite. She's just phoning in the stories now because she knows that her fan base will read anything that she writes.
March 18, 2020
I loved this book. I wonder if the author thought it might be the last in the series as she fast forwards 25 years and we find out how the main characters lives happily evolved (but sadly 4 had died with little explanation. No mention of Joe.) There was one glaring mistake where she said Gerda had died at age 93 when she clearly meant Sylvia. Not sure how that got past editing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2011
I may not finish the book (on page 78). Chiaverini has been drinking too much Gore-ade. The book is about quilting, not sci-fi environmentalism. And it is just a narrative of "this happened and then that happened". Not going far.
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