The Museum of Lost Quilts

Elm Creek Quilts #22

by Jennifer Chiaverini

Jennifer Chiaverini’s beloved and bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series returns with the first Elm Creek Quilts novel since 2019’s The Christmas Boutique.

Summer Sullivan, the youngest founding member of Elm Creek Quilts, has spent the last two years pursuing a master’s degree in history at the University of Chicago. Her unexpected return home to the celebrated quilter’s retreat is met with delight but also concern from her mother, Gwen; her best friend, Sarah; master quilter Sylvia; and her other colleagues—and rightly so. Stymied by writer’s block, Summer hasn’t finished her thesis, and she can’t graduate until she does.

Elm Creek Manor offers respite while Summer struggles to meet her extended deadline. She finds welcome distraction in organizing an exhibit of antique quilts as a fundraiser to renovate Union Hall, the 1863 Greek Revival headquarters of the Waterford Historical Society. But Summer’s research uncovers startling facts about Waterford’s past, prompting unsettling questions about racism, economic injustice, and political corruption within their community, past and present.

As Summer’s work progresses, quilt lovers and history buffs praise the growing collection, but affronted local leaders demand that she remove all references to Waterford’s troubled history. As controversy threatens the exhibit’s success, Summer fears that her pursuit of the truth might cost the Waterford Historical Society their last chance to save Union Hall. Her only hope is to rally the quilting community to her cause.

The Museum of Lost Quilts is a warm and deeply moving story about the power of collective memory. With every fascinating quilt she studies, Summer finds her passion for history renewed—and discovers a promising new future for herself.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Quilting, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Womens Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2024

About the author

Jennifer 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."

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Museum of Lost Quilts is sweet book about, Summer Sullivan, and her struggles to preserve the history of quilting in her community.

This is not the first book in the series, but the first one I’ve read. I was able to follow along without reading any of the others.

Summer is at a crossroads in her life and takes a break to come home and help out with the community quilting camp that she helped found. While she is there,she uncovers some unsettling information about the history of the quilting guilds in the area. Summer ends up having to stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity.

It was hard for me to connect to Summer’s character. I understood her actions but not who she was as a person. There are references to her activities, the food she eats and what people are doing around her but it doesn’t go much deeper. This is probably because I haven’t read the previous books in the series.

I liked all of the quilting references and learning about the history of quilting, however this was not a book I would usually read. I thought it was a mystery and it’s not. Maybe that’s why I ended up not enjoying its as much as I thought I would. I think people who enjoy quilting and like a cozy, warm read will enjoy this book.

[Janice · Rating 1 out of 5]

IMO….this installment of the Elm Creek Quilters was poorly written and not worthy of being included with the other amazing books in this series. Obviously, I was greatly disappointed. I had a hard time pinning down the time frame for this book…was it back in the day prior to the internet and search engines, e.g., librarians predicting that library materials would be digitized and readily available via the “World Wide Web” OR in recent times where there are online reviews and concern over whitewashing past actions. The antagonist is portrayed cartoonish…I expected him to tie Summer to a railroad track and twirl his mustache like villains in cartoons from the 1960s. The author included so much minutia about room decorations and descriptions of clothing that it seemed like she was just trying to add words…did she have a certain word count in her contract with the publisher? I thought the importance of the Elm Creek Quilt camp to the local economy was was greatly exaggerated…. They’ve been in business for 7 years and contributed millions of dollars to the economy? Amazing since they want to keep tuition to the camps low to attract quilters of all economic circumstances. And the author totally forgot about the money troubles of the Elm Creek Quilters and left this plot line unfinished. And if Gwen called Summer “kiddo” one more time I was going to 🤮.

I can recommend earlier books in this series, but this one just missed the mark in so many ways. 🥺

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have followed this series from almost the beginning, devouring the new additions as soon as they came out, so I was excited about this one, despite not liking the last Christmas one. It’s been a while since I’ve had a new one so it makes sense that there would be a little reminiscing and scene setting in this one, but the real story doesn’t start until 20% into the book – that’s too much! I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to get a new story. When it finally does start, it gets interesting, with the histories of the various quilts but it felt like an information dump all centered around a not-so-interesting character. Summer took forever to get to the conclusion we all immediately figured out and it got old. I wish I had liked this one more.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer is back at Elm Creek Manor, having failed to complete her dissertation at University of Chicago. She is still trying to finish, but is also working to create a quilt exhibit at historic Union Hall, which a greedy developer wants to tear down. The quilts and researching them reveal a lot of local history, not all of it pleasant, and some residents don't want to be reminded of bad things that happened in the past. Summer's research leads to not only new friendships, but also an exciting job offer and a new romance. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.

[Taury · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Museum of Lost Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini is a heartfelt exploration of history, art, and personal legacy. Through the lens of intricately crafted quilts, Chiaverini weaves a tapestry of interconnected stories spanning generations. Each quilt holds a unique tale, reflecting the lives and struggles of the women who created them. The narrative is rich with historical detail and emotional depth, highlighting the enduring power of art to preserve memory and convey untold stories. Chiaverini's evocative prose and keen insight into the human condition make this novel a touching tribute to the resilience and creativity of quilters. A must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of handcrafted traditions and the narratives they embody.

[C.D. Storiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of the original series and a once avid quilter and former quilt shop owner, I was looking forward to revisiting the Elm Creek Quilter's. The familiarity of the cast of characters along with the descriptive prose reignited a longing to visit the fictional quilter's camp. Entering through Summer's eyes was like the feeling I get when I come home to visit my father and wrap myself in a warm, cozy quilt.

Though truth be told, there were some instances when I didn't get that same warm-fuzzy feeling I used to get with the original series. Which I'll admit has been a while since I've read the series. I devoured the original books when I was running my quilt shop years ago but the shop has long been closed and it's been years since I've read about the quilter's of Elm Creek. Yes, I recognized the characters and even found my stomach growling as I read about Anna's delectable cooking. But I didn't connect with the characters as much this time and I found myself a tad frustrated in Summer's altercations with the realty company and the attempts at shutting down the quilt exhibit.

I also feel that I didn't connect with Summer as much. There wasn't depth in her character, the relationship with Enrique seemed like an afterthought, and the other characters which I'd adored in previous stories were glossed over and didn't shine through. It was almost like attending a party but only getting to talk to someone for five minutes.

Overall, it was a quick and cute cozy summer read with interesting historical aspects and beautiful descriptions of quilts I envisioned. To me, three stars means I enjoyed it, it was good, but it didn't have that WOW factor. Something was missing but it was still an okay read.

[Tiffany E-P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! I’m so glad the series is back! And just as good as ever. I love how past quilts and stories from the series were woven in and I was rooting for Summer to figure out that her place was right there at Elm Creek and working in the archives at Waterford…but there’s still so much to explore with her story and Enrique…
I also appreciate how the author brought in current questions of racism and revisionist politics. It was encouraging to read about how the Elm Creek Quilt members responded as well as the historical society members. Reminds me that there are good and kind people in the world who support justice.

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Our main character, Summer, is rather unlikeable. Whines, feels so sorry for herself despite her enviable life. Reading about her tracking down the imaginary history of imaginary quilts soon got old.

While I’ve enjoyed several of the series this one took too long to get started and contained too much unnecessary information.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delight to have on my shelf, or to listen to this as I bind my latest quilt!

Summer Sullivan is an open-hearted returnee from past books, and she's old enough to quilt independently, intern, attend uni, and have a romance. What group of aging quilters (and yes that is all quilters!) doesn't love that mix?

Add a wicked evil politician pretending to be the savior of local economics. Then add bias and prejudice from town founding families. . .well there you go. Wanna solve some social problems? Go to the museum and find some quilts. (Honestly, finding some quilts (or making them) is the solve for just about every problem.)

Looking forward to JC's next treat!

*A sincere thank you to Jennifer Chiaverini, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #TheMuseumofLostQuilts #NetGalley

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do adore this special series. It’s just like coming home.
These characters are friends, even family. The story can even be a bit predictable. So what. That’s comforting. Isn’t that what home is all about?

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

So boring. Skimmed through some of the details.

[Nancy Klarich · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I always enjoy Jennifer Chiaverini’s historical fiction novels and have read the other Elm Creek Quilts novels, I was a little disappointed. I felt that the antagonist in the story was not explored enough. He was just brought out as a thorn in the main character’s life. The book as a whole was entertaining and an easy read but I was expecting more.

[Becky Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed revisiting the characters in this ElmCreek Quilts series. I would recommend that a reader begin with the first novel, The Quilter’s Apprentice, instead of reading any book in the series.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book and the continued Quilt series that I always enjoy! The historical family story and the feelings and stitutions keep me engaged and enjoying it from beginning to end!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the most interesting book in the series and leaning pretty heavily into messy political issues. I read Elm Creek Quilt books to escape from the constant strain of the real world around me. I also don’t care to have authors use their books as a platform for political views. I know that it’s the author’s prerogative and a common thing to do but not expected (nor welcome) in a book about a group of quilters.

[Toni Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting a new edition to this series. Summer made a great lead character for this story, and I loved how they did not back down when faced with a bully who tries to bulldoze everyone who gets in his way. Cheers to the author. Her ability to wind history with the present always makes for a good read. 5 stars.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about friendship, community, history, and quilting. The author has a series of these “quilting stories”. This is the most recent one, but you don’t have to read them all to meet the characters or get the connections. I learned a lot about quilting. The only thing that would have helped me would have been pictures of the historical quilts that the author described in detail.

[Ava Koch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow start but smooth sailing as the plot developed. The story had a lot of history woven throughout. I enjoyed the small-town, and woodys feeling.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy to have another book in this series! A pleasant surprise! Enjoyed reacquainting myself with familiar characters and hope there will be another in the series.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer is struggling with a major case of writer’s block and has been unable to finish her thesis, the only thing she needs to earn her master’s degree. Hoping for inspiration, she returns home to Elm Creek and her friends, where she gets involved in organizing an exhibit of antique quilts. While researching the quilts, troubling questions about Waterford’s past – racism, corruption and more – come up, which many local leaders want to keep out of the displays. Will the quilting community save the exhibit cum fundraiser, or will this be the end of Union Hall?

I have read and enjoyed the books in this series right from the start, so I was excited to learn that another book was coming. The books are set near a major university in central Pennsylvania, and while reading the first book, it didn’t take long to recognize the communities around Penn State. I loved living in State College, and even all these years later, I enjoy returning for a visit, so these books feel like home.

The ensemble cast of characters in these books is great, and even though the focus of this book was on Summer, I was happy to see that everyone was included, so we were able to catch up with them. I love the way these ladies – and a couple of men – work so well together, with each of their skills and abilities making it possible for the quilt camps to run smoothly. I liked Summer’s dives into the history of each of the quilts donated for the exhibit, and the way she handled the unpleasant parts of the past that had been previously ignored or glossed over. That seems to be happening a lot lately in real life, but all we can do is keep pushing to get the facts out there.

This did not read like the final book of the series, so I hope there is at least one more book coming, and I will keep an eye on upcoming releases just in case. I would love to read more about the Elm Creek Quilters and what they learn during their quilt camps.

Thank you to Edelweiss, Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a good book, it just wasn’t for me.

This is the 22nd book in a series (wowzer!), and while it can be a standalone book, I could definitely tell I was missing out on backstories and connections from previous books of what seems to be a tight-knit community.

I found the story and characters rather surface level. I don’t feel like we truly got to know Summer, the main character, all that well. She likes morning yoga, is struggling with her master’s thesis, and returns home to where her mom runs a quilting camp. But, beyond that it doesn’t go deep. Some of the conflict felt contrived, like thrown in there kinda out of the blue.

I think someone who’s in to quilting, who may like a bit of something akin to a historical cozy, not really mystery (that’s gotta be a subgenre somewhere) may like this.

[Heidi Busch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book in the Elm Creek Quilt Series. I liked the premise of the book. I think the idea of a quilt display makes sense and the author’s explanation at the end of the novel help clarify some odd gaps in time.

[Maria Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book l’ve read of this series and it really kept me interested throughout. I enjoyed hearing about the research methods and the characters were believable. It has encouraged me to read the first book in the series. The story is about Summer who is studying for her masters and has come home to cope with a writers block she has with her thesis. Once she is home she gets caught up in all the familiar Quilter’s retreats that are hosted by family and friends and once again resumes her role in classes and helping. Whilst home she is asked to become curator of the Historical Mueums Quilt exhibition. Being an old town with lots of history and the usual mix of people, Summer has many challenges ahead of her and some important life decisions to make. The support of family and friends and community is so strong in this book you really are caught up in story immediately.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable plot, so-so characters, but great info about quilting. Not the caliber of many of her other books.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

Review of the audio book, read by Christina Moore.

This is my first Elm Creek Quilt novel, imagine my surprise when I discovered there are 21 books before this one! Thankfully, you can read it as a stand alone.

I really enjoyed the history of each of the quilts, even those that couldn’t be found. Maybe that’ll be another book in the future. It did take a bit for the story to get some traction though. I admit, I wasn’t paying 100% attention in the beginning so I know there was an issue with Summer’s thesis but what that issue actually was…I couldn’t tell you.

I got bored of hearing Summer’s daily routine. Okay, okay, she woke up, did sunrise yoga, had a delicious breakfast, maybe worked on her thesis/went to the library/Union Hall. Wash, rinse, repeat.

The point that I really found annoying was after 80%. Summer is hanging a new quilt in the gallery and there is a woman looking around. As the woman leaves, she thanks Summer telling her she is so glad that she didn’t listen to the reviews. Summer is confused because the exhibit isn’t actually open yet, there are no reviews. The woman must be mistaken. This is not the first thing that has happened and it certainly isn’t the last, but it’s a “early warning sign” that was missed. I was honestly yelling at the speakers in my car during this part because it made me so angry.

Overall, it was a good book and I liked it well enough. I made me wish I knew how to sew/quilt. I might pick up another of the books one day.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely return to a series that the author planned to be finished years ago. It was like catching up with friends you haven’t seen in a long time. The author’s note at the end of the book explains that she had purposefully written a final book in the series several years ago and that some of what is in the new book may conflict with that one.
This book focuses on Summer who had been at the University of Chicago working on her masters with the intention to go straight into doctoral studies. She has hit a snag in writing her thesis and comes home to finish it over the summer. She is asked to curate a quilt exhibit for the historical society while she is home.
She is apparently an excellent researcher but there are a few times when I felt she was being oblivious and could have discovered the antagonist’s plot much sooner with a few clicks on her laptop that was always with her.
I felt like the antagonist story fizzled in the end but the story of Summer’s finding her path was a fun read. I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story and would love to go to a quilt retreat as they are described in the book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional. Poignant. Beautiful. That's the only way I know how to describe the memories of the years reading this series have brought back in this book. Following Summer has been a whole journey for us. Starting from Sylvia and Sarah and leaving off at Summer leading the younger generation of quilters feels so perfect.

I love how Jennifer Chiaverini included a brief story of each of Elm Creek Quilts from her other books after each chapter - like meeting old friends in the characters AND the quilts! The ending had me tearing up a but, as well as the authors acknowledgments at the end.

Just want to say THANK YOU, Jennifer, for loving your fans so much. Your series has been a special place in my life and has given me so many dreams for my own quilting journey and story (a now librarian and self-taught quilter turned quilt teacher!). 🥰🥹

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to love about a novel that includes quilts, historical research, architectural preservation, & libraries? This book has it all, so I'm all in. It's fun to have a new Elm Creek novel & the author's note at the end says that the events of "The Wedding Quilt", meant to be the final book of the series tying up all the characters' stories, should now be considered a dream sequence or alternate universe. I love this because it was my least favorite of the series, so it's out the window & let's get on with more stories of the Elm Creek Quilters! This one involves Summer coming home in crisis over her master's thesis & becoming involved in the research for a quilt display that tells stories significant to the Valley. As she works on the display & discovers details of the past, not all the residents are happy about her research. How it all gets resolved is a great story & there are many references to the quilts from the historical books in the series.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading the Elm Creek Quilters books for years and have never been disappointed. Jennifer Chiaverinni's writing is like fine wine and only improves with age. Every page is so full of descriptions that I can not only see in my mind's eye the characters, the setting and the quilts, but I can smell and taste every food or beverage that she describes. The story describes the journey of a conflicted Summer trying to find her place in academia. She is faced with a choice of living up to her mother's expectations (in Summer's mind) or forging her own path. Mixed in with that is the development of a historical society and a new quilt exhibit that challenges the Summer and the community. I look forward to more Elm Creek Quilters books!

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story! The setting, an old, historic farmhouse, located in an apple orchard, with fireplaces and three floors of rooms, one of which is a library, always makes me want to nestle in to observe the activity. Quilters, busy at a week long camp creating and conspiring, to learn new techniques and accomplish an original quilt to take home for loved ones. Brings back memories of the quilts made by my grandmother with her talented hands. This story talks about community quilts, dating back to the Civil War and Underground Railroad era. The plot focuses on finding and gathering these treasures for an historical town museum.