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Elm Creek Quilts #15
A Quilter's Holiday
The Elm Creek Quilters are home for the holidays in this heartwarming Christmas story from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini.
For the Elm Creek Quilters, the day after Thanksgiving marks the start of the quilting season, a time to gather at Elm Creek Manor and spend the day stitching holiday gifts for loved ones. This year, in keeping with the season's spirit of gratitude, Master Quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson Cooper is eager to revive a cherished family tradition. A recent remodeling of the manor's kitchen unearthed a cornucopia that once served as the centerpiece of the Bergstrom family's holiday table. Into it, each Bergstrom would place an object that symbolized something he or she was especially thankful for that year. On this quilter's holiday, Sylvia has invited her friends to continue the tradition by sewing quilt blocks that represent their thankfulness and gratitude.
As each quilter explains the significance of her carefully chosen block, stories of love and longing for family and friends emerge—feelings that are also expressed in the gifts they work on throughout the day.
As an early winter storm blankets Elm Creek Manor in heavy snow, the quilters find new meanings in their best-loved traditions and new reasons to be thankful. A Quilter's Holiday is a story of holiday spirit, in its truest, most generous sense.
For the Elm Creek Quilters, the day after Thanksgiving marks the start of the quilting season, a time to gather at Elm Creek Manor and spend the day stitching holiday gifts for loved ones. This year, in keeping with the season's spirit of gratitude, Master Quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson Cooper is eager to revive a cherished family tradition. A recent remodeling of the manor's kitchen unearthed a cornucopia that once served as the centerpiece of the Bergstrom family's holiday table. Into it, each Bergstrom would place an object that symbolized something he or she was especially thankful for that year. On this quilter's holiday, Sylvia has invited her friends to continue the tradition by sewing quilt blocks that represent their thankfulness and gratitude.
As each quilter explains the significance of her carefully chosen block, stories of love and longing for family and friends emerge—feelings that are also expressed in the gifts they work on throughout the day.
As an early winter storm blankets Elm Creek Manor in heavy snow, the quilters find new meanings in their best-loved traditions and new reasons to be thankful. A Quilter's Holiday is a story of holiday spirit, in its truest, most generous sense.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2009
142 people are currently reading
2147 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Chiaverini
78 books5,240 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 305 reviews
April 24, 2010
I'm either getting a bit tired of the Elm Creek series or Chiaverini is getting a bit tired of writing them. Much of what is in this book is in several of her past novels; and I'm not sure this book even qualifies as a novel. There was some new stories about some her characters, but not that interesting or enticing. If you hadn't read the previous books,this book would not entice you to read another and if you have read the previous books this one was more often boring than not.
Personally, I'm close enough to having read the complete series to date, I'll finish them. I know that #16, The Lost Quilter is good, because it's the book that got me into the series in the first place, there is hope for #17, the Aloha Quilt.
Personally, I'm close enough to having read the complete series to date, I'll finish them. I know that #16, The Lost Quilter is good, because it's the book that got me into the series in the first place, there is hope for #17, the Aloha Quilt.
May 3, 2014
This is book 15 in the Elm Creek Quilters series, and I really like how Jennifer changed things up from some of the previous books. This one takes the focus away from Sylvia and puts it on the ladies that come to the manor to quilt.
I loved everyone's stories. Gwen, Gretchen, Diane as well as the new cook, Anna, who we met in The Quilter's Kitchen get to shine. All of these women have something to give and we learn that as we see what brought them to Elm Creek Manor. Oh and we also get more of Sarah and Matt, who are expecting twins now!
Chiaverini lets us see some marital issues, as well as people trying to hold on to traditions and making new ones through past actions. Each woman has a special story and you really will come to love them. I think I loved Gwen and Gretchen the most. Gwen made her mistakes but was able to overcome those and we hear how one woman really influenced her life. Then there's Gretchen who has a wonderful ability to give of herself.
Sylvia also gets some good news in regards to her cousin Elizabeth's family. That really brings a tear to your eye, because Jennifer Chiaverini really drives home how much Sylvia loved this cousin in most of the books.
This book was set on the days following Thanksgiving. Almost all of the Elm Creek books revolve around the year end holidays. I loved the discussions of food for the pot luck lunch that the ladies have for their special get together after the holiday.
This was such a sweet cozy read. I always look forward to reading about the quilting ladies.
I loved everyone's stories. Gwen, Gretchen, Diane as well as the new cook, Anna, who we met in The Quilter's Kitchen get to shine. All of these women have something to give and we learn that as we see what brought them to Elm Creek Manor. Oh and we also get more of Sarah and Matt, who are expecting twins now!
Chiaverini lets us see some marital issues, as well as people trying to hold on to traditions and making new ones through past actions. Each woman has a special story and you really will come to love them. I think I loved Gwen and Gretchen the most. Gwen made her mistakes but was able to overcome those and we hear how one woman really influenced her life. Then there's Gretchen who has a wonderful ability to give of herself.
Sylvia also gets some good news in regards to her cousin Elizabeth's family. That really brings a tear to your eye, because Jennifer Chiaverini really drives home how much Sylvia loved this cousin in most of the books.
This book was set on the days following Thanksgiving. Almost all of the Elm Creek books revolve around the year end holidays. I loved the discussions of food for the pot luck lunch that the ladies have for their special get together after the holiday.
This was such a sweet cozy read. I always look forward to reading about the quilting ladies.
November 25, 2025
The Quilter's Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini is the 15th book in the Elm Creek Quilts series. This installment in the series takes place the day after Thanksgiving, "a quilting holiday." The Elm Creek Quilters come together at the Elm Creek Manor with their quilting materials and Thanksgiving leftovers to quilt, share stories, and enjoy fellowship with friends.
I read this book for the Cozy Cottage Book Club. It is the first book that I have read in this series, and I thought it was a charming, easy read; perfect for November. Each chapter focuses on a different quilter (Sarah, Diane, Anna, Gretchen, Gwen, and Sylvia) and their point of view. I like that the women are of varying ages and backgrounds. While the novel has a cozy atmosphere (snow, quilting in front of a crackling fire, Thanksgiving leftovers, etc.), it does drift into some serious topics, such as teen pregnancy, illness, loss, change, fears, and longings. It is a reflective novel with an emphasis on traditions, family, sharing one's talents, crafting, community, and gratitude. I might have to read the next book in the series to see if Sarah's situation gets resolved and Sylvia gets more answers concerning a long-lost family member. A Quilter's Holiday was a 3.5-star read for me.
I read this book for the Cozy Cottage Book Club. It is the first book that I have read in this series, and I thought it was a charming, easy read; perfect for November. Each chapter focuses on a different quilter (Sarah, Diane, Anna, Gretchen, Gwen, and Sylvia) and their point of view. I like that the women are of varying ages and backgrounds. While the novel has a cozy atmosphere (snow, quilting in front of a crackling fire, Thanksgiving leftovers, etc.), it does drift into some serious topics, such as teen pregnancy, illness, loss, change, fears, and longings. It is a reflective novel with an emphasis on traditions, family, sharing one's talents, crafting, community, and gratitude. I might have to read the next book in the series to see if Sarah's situation gets resolved and Sylvia gets more answers concerning a long-lost family member. A Quilter's Holiday was a 3.5-star read for me.
March 21, 2022
When I finished the first chapter, it was about Sarah, I thought this book has loads of potential to be very entertaining. Mid way into the third chapter, I lost hope, just carried on reading.
December 23, 2009
I used to like this series of books, but they have become too predictable as the series has gone on. I grabbed this book from the library thinking, "Hey, it's a Christmas book and I'm in the Christmas spirit." Well, thankfully, I'm actually in the Christmas spirit because otherwise I wouldn't have finished the book. The basic plot is that it is the day after Thanksgiving and the Elm Creek Quilters all meet to start/finish/continue their Christmas projects. Each of the quilter's has her own thoughts about why she is making her individual project and, of course, they all get snowed in together in a freakish early storm. The plot is a classic set up of back flashes and memories, but I was only marginally interested in each of the stories. I think that I will give the Elm Creek Quilters a rest for a while. I wasn't even captivated by the cliff-hangers--I think that I can already figure out what will happen.
December 1, 2018
This was the Christmas special of a series that I don't read, so it was surprising in many ways. I was looking for a very low stakes holiday story (the quilters have to block a beautiful prize to save the church fair, perhaps), and this was not that. Instead, there were snow storms, car crashes, long lost family members, cancer battles, teen pregnancies, and more drama than you'd imagine fitting in less than three hundred pages. That said, this was a rather charming group of women coming together on the day after Thanksgiving for a delightful holiday tradition.
I particularly liked the Jewish man and the Catholic woman flirting by exchanging holiday stories. He made it clear that Chanukah is not equivalent to Christmas and she told the stories of La Befana, the Italian Christmas Witch, who is my favorite not!Santa.
Overall, this is a very charming story, though I don't know if it was enough to tease me into the rest of the series.
I particularly liked the Jewish man and the Catholic woman flirting by exchanging holiday stories. He made it clear that Chanukah is not equivalent to Christmas and she told the stories of La Befana, the Italian Christmas Witch, who is my favorite not!Santa.
Overall, this is a very charming story, though I don't know if it was enough to tease me into the rest of the series.
January 2, 2010
Don't get me wrong....I love the ladies from Elm Creek. They feel like old friends and for the most part I enjoy visiting them. What I don't like is rehashing OLD stories that we're already familiar with.....boring!!!! Sometimes these small holiday books feel very formula to me and end up rubbing me the wrong way! There was one character though that I really enjoyed in this book-Gretchen. I'm a die-hard fan so I'll read the next one but I'm hoping that it isn't another "let's feel good but not talk about anything substantial" book!!
February 12, 2016
This was very disappointing. I used to enjoy this series. This book seemed like a rehash of previous books. Plus a couple of the characters were so nasty to each other, it became unpleasant to read. I still have a few of these books on my shelves left to read. I am seriously debating whether or not to just give them away and not waste my time. I haven't decided if the author is just gotten complacent in her writing or my taste has changed to the point where these books just don't interest me anymore. This book didn't help win me over.
March 9, 2019
Nice, easy reading. Every chapter is set from a different character's perspective.
This book shows wonderfully how quilting can bring together people from all walks of life. It doesn't matter your skill level, all that matters is the meaning behind the quilt.
Will definitely read some of the other books in this series.
This book shows wonderfully how quilting can bring together people from all walks of life. It doesn't matter your skill level, all that matters is the meaning behind the quilt.
Will definitely read some of the other books in this series.
December 5, 2024
This is the best fictional Thanksgiving book that I've read in years, maybe ever, because it talks both about gratitude and about the darker side of the history of Thanksgiving. So many light-hearted Thanksgiving books don't even really talk about gratitude, just the trappings of the season, the food, etc.
I liked the creative way they celebrated the Thanksgiving season, by each symbolically preparing a quilting square of what they'd been grateful for in the year. It would've been time-consuming, and I can't imagine families with children attempting this, but I enjoyed reading about their creations and what they symbolized.
I'm not sure which of the stories touched me most. They were all good in different ways.
One reviewer thought they talked about too many serious topics for a Thanksgiving read, but other reviewers found it too saccharine-sweet, which made me laugh. There is a middle ground, and you can't please everyone. I thought it was about right for a holiday read, but I'm not much into saccharine-sweet reads.
One reviewer said that the story sounded like too much whining. I didn't take it that way at all. These are the sorts of things that chaff us in real life, and it doesn't detract from gratitude to acknowledge them and puzzle our way through them.
My mother-in-law likes to make turkey tetrazzini with turkey leftovers, and that's delicious, but I prefer a hot brown. I've heard of some of these other leftover recipes, too.
Although this is book #15 in the series, I didn't have a hard time following it. Some other reviewers complained that they'd already heard the stories before, so it may be a compilation from the series in some fashion.
Also, each chapter tells the same events from a different perspective, so we do already know some of what will happen with one scene and what other characters are thinking. Although it was repetitive, the focus was so different from character to character that I didn't mind. Each chapter had its own story; it just happened to intertwine with the rest.
Some of it seemed unrealistically to end too nicely, but some of it was left unfinished, so there was a balance.
I found it funny that Diane said she could drive in the snow because she came from Pennsylvania. That's exactly what my husband and in-laws say, and they have done a more-than-fair share of it.
The Abiding Savior Christian Outreach ministry sounds a little like the Step by Step ministry to unwed mothers locally.
"... taking parenting classes to learn what they had probably been unable to observe in their own childhood homes." Parenting classes aren't just for those who had a rough upbringing. Sometimes there is unexpected wisdom, something that helps with long-range goals, or a simpler, easier way of doing something that even those in emotionally healthy households can benefit from. Even just a reminder of our end goals can lift our spirits and help us see how far we've come.
It was interesting to me that one of the characters is pregnant, because the last fictional book I read also had a pregnant character. (Anne Canadeo's "Death on the Argyle.")
One reviewer said that in this book of the series, the author returned to being non-offensive. I'll agree that there wasn't anything offensive in this book, but it does make me wonder what was offensive in the prior books?
But that same reviewer didn't seem to follow the time-line very well, which made me think that perhaps the offense was just confusion as well.
Diane had planned a Thanksgiving Eve lasagna, which her family hadn't appreciated.
Thanksgiving had been the next day.
The Quilter's Holiday was the day after Thanksgiving, and that is when the bulk of the story takes place, except for remembrances here or there.
I think the reviewer might've confused the Thanksgiving Eve lasagna with the Quilter's Holiday, because of Diane's ponderings of it, and then that reviewer wondered whatever happened to the Thanksgiving? Presumably, the characters had spent it with their own families between the two events.
Favorite quote:
"Tis the season for giving. Not just the giving of gifts, but of our time and talents."
I liked the creative way they celebrated the Thanksgiving season, by each symbolically preparing a quilting square of what they'd been grateful for in the year. It would've been time-consuming, and I can't imagine families with children attempting this, but I enjoyed reading about their creations and what they symbolized.
I'm not sure which of the stories touched me most. They were all good in different ways.
One reviewer thought they talked about too many serious topics for a Thanksgiving read, but other reviewers found it too saccharine-sweet, which made me laugh. There is a middle ground, and you can't please everyone. I thought it was about right for a holiday read, but I'm not much into saccharine-sweet reads.
One reviewer said that the story sounded like too much whining. I didn't take it that way at all. These are the sorts of things that chaff us in real life, and it doesn't detract from gratitude to acknowledge them and puzzle our way through them.
My mother-in-law likes to make turkey tetrazzini with turkey leftovers, and that's delicious, but I prefer a hot brown. I've heard of some of these other leftover recipes, too.
Although this is book #15 in the series, I didn't have a hard time following it. Some other reviewers complained that they'd already heard the stories before, so it may be a compilation from the series in some fashion.
Also, each chapter tells the same events from a different perspective, so we do already know some of what will happen with one scene and what other characters are thinking. Although it was repetitive, the focus was so different from character to character that I didn't mind. Each chapter had its own story; it just happened to intertwine with the rest.
Some of it seemed unrealistically to end too nicely, but some of it was left unfinished, so there was a balance.
I found it funny that Diane said she could drive in the snow because she came from Pennsylvania. That's exactly what my husband and in-laws say, and they have done a more-than-fair share of it.
The Abiding Savior Christian Outreach ministry sounds a little like the Step by Step ministry to unwed mothers locally.
"... taking parenting classes to learn what they had probably been unable to observe in their own childhood homes." Parenting classes aren't just for those who had a rough upbringing. Sometimes there is unexpected wisdom, something that helps with long-range goals, or a simpler, easier way of doing something that even those in emotionally healthy households can benefit from. Even just a reminder of our end goals can lift our spirits and help us see how far we've come.
It was interesting to me that one of the characters is pregnant, because the last fictional book I read also had a pregnant character. (Anne Canadeo's "Death on the Argyle.")
One reviewer said that in this book of the series, the author returned to being non-offensive. I'll agree that there wasn't anything offensive in this book, but it does make me wonder what was offensive in the prior books?
But that same reviewer didn't seem to follow the time-line very well, which made me think that perhaps the offense was just confusion as well.
Diane had planned a Thanksgiving Eve lasagna, which her family hadn't appreciated.
Thanksgiving had been the next day.
The Quilter's Holiday was the day after Thanksgiving, and that is when the bulk of the story takes place, except for remembrances here or there.
I think the reviewer might've confused the Thanksgiving Eve lasagna with the Quilter's Holiday, because of Diane's ponderings of it, and then that reviewer wondered whatever happened to the Thanksgiving? Presumably, the characters had spent it with their own families between the two events.
Favorite quote:
"Tis the season for giving. Not just the giving of gifts, but of our time and talents."
December 18, 2023
It's been a couple years since I revisited the Elm Creek Quilter series, though it wasn't hard to remember the characters and how much I've enjoyed reading these books. A great holiday read, with a pleasing ending and likely promises of a family reunion book of Sylvia us family.
November 20, 2023
I loved it. Laughed and cried... it made me think about how much I have to be thankful for.
January 26, 2011
This series has so many ups and downs. While this one went back to the original characters and storyline, I didn't find it as charming as the others. That's not to say it wasn't any good, it just wasn't as expressive as some of the others. Since there are so many books in the series before this one I'm not going to recap them as it would be way too lengthy.
This book involves the "Quilter's Holiday" which is a day when the Elm Creek quilter's get together near Thanksgiving (more on this later) and enjoy leftovers and quilting together. A lot of this book focuses on different things that are happening in the quilter's lives.
Sarah is preparing for the arrival of her twins but learns that her husband has different plans for their last few months before they are born. While she would like him to stay at Elm Creek Manor to help her and go to Drs. appointments with her, he has decided without talking it over with her to go help his father with his business. While she understands why he wants to, she can't help but think his priorities are a little misplaced.
Diane is feeling a little bit of empty nest syndrome and when a blizzard starts trapping the quilter's at the manor, she becomes determined to get home where her boys are back visiting from college. Despite the snow she starts off and unfortunately becomes stuck on the way. With no one answering the phone, she has to try and make it back to the manor in the blinding whiteness.
Sylvia is in search of long lost relatives. Enlisting the help of some of her researcher friends, she has them look for descendants of her favorite cousin Elizabeth. Although a private investigator had told her earlier that she had no one left in the family, she can't help but believe there must be someone else out there.
Anna is adjusting well to being the cook at Elm Creek. Her biggest frustrations come from Jeremy. A friend of hers and the boyfriend on one of the other quilter's daughter, she discovers that she is falling in love with him. When he leaves to go visit his girlfriend he keeps calling her and she can't help but wonder if maybe he'd like more from their relationship as well.
Gretchen thinks back on her past of helping people. She once volunteered at a home for displaced pregnant teenagers and she reflects on the hardships and joys this has brought her. Now that she lives somewhere else, she hopes to find another volunteer opportunity that gives her as much satisfaction as the previous one did.
Gwen thinks back on a mentor and friend who has recently died. She inspired Gwen to do great things and Gwen in turn inspired her to quilt. In order to help this friend she had also formed a bone marrow drive to help find a match and keep her alive. Despite the match though, she still loses a good friend and wonders what else could have been done.
All the wonderful characters were back and it was so nice to see them continue their story. While I understand Chiaverini likes to branch out, it would be nice if she used those books in a different series instead of combining them with this one. There is one flaw in her characters I do have to point out though. Summer, the daughter of Gwen and girlfriend of Jeremy is becoming extremely unlikeable. While I realize she's supposed to be finding herself, I can't help but think that she treats Jeremy horribly and that it is a total disconnect from what her character is supposed to be.
The writing is back to being unoffensive. Chiaverini barely ever uses harsh words let alone vivid disturbing descriptions. For other descriptions, there are a great many quilts mentioned in this novel but they lack the color and charm that some of her earlier books brought to life. She used to spend great time on colors and shapes, describing patterns and stitches, now we're lucky if they are called "jewel-toned". I also had trouble with something that didn't match up in the book to me. The Quilter's Holiday is supposed to feature a potluck of Thanksgiving leftovers, but then goes on to say the day is the day before Thanksgiving. Perhaps they had a Thanksgiving of their own but it still wasn't very clear to me.
I of course will always continue on with the series. Even her worst is still pretty good. I just hope that she re finds what made the series so charming to begin with. I want to see the character reconnect and picture the quilts so elegantly described in my mind.
A Quilter's Holiday
Copyright 2009
278 pages
This book involves the "Quilter's Holiday" which is a day when the Elm Creek quilter's get together near Thanksgiving (more on this later) and enjoy leftovers and quilting together. A lot of this book focuses on different things that are happening in the quilter's lives.
Sarah is preparing for the arrival of her twins but learns that her husband has different plans for their last few months before they are born. While she would like him to stay at Elm Creek Manor to help her and go to Drs. appointments with her, he has decided without talking it over with her to go help his father with his business. While she understands why he wants to, she can't help but think his priorities are a little misplaced.
Diane is feeling a little bit of empty nest syndrome and when a blizzard starts trapping the quilter's at the manor, she becomes determined to get home where her boys are back visiting from college. Despite the snow she starts off and unfortunately becomes stuck on the way. With no one answering the phone, she has to try and make it back to the manor in the blinding whiteness.
Sylvia is in search of long lost relatives. Enlisting the help of some of her researcher friends, she has them look for descendants of her favorite cousin Elizabeth. Although a private investigator had told her earlier that she had no one left in the family, she can't help but believe there must be someone else out there.
Anna is adjusting well to being the cook at Elm Creek. Her biggest frustrations come from Jeremy. A friend of hers and the boyfriend on one of the other quilter's daughter, she discovers that she is falling in love with him. When he leaves to go visit his girlfriend he keeps calling her and she can't help but wonder if maybe he'd like more from their relationship as well.
Gretchen thinks back on her past of helping people. She once volunteered at a home for displaced pregnant teenagers and she reflects on the hardships and joys this has brought her. Now that she lives somewhere else, she hopes to find another volunteer opportunity that gives her as much satisfaction as the previous one did.
Gwen thinks back on a mentor and friend who has recently died. She inspired Gwen to do great things and Gwen in turn inspired her to quilt. In order to help this friend she had also formed a bone marrow drive to help find a match and keep her alive. Despite the match though, she still loses a good friend and wonders what else could have been done.
All the wonderful characters were back and it was so nice to see them continue their story. While I understand Chiaverini likes to branch out, it would be nice if she used those books in a different series instead of combining them with this one. There is one flaw in her characters I do have to point out though. Summer, the daughter of Gwen and girlfriend of Jeremy is becoming extremely unlikeable. While I realize she's supposed to be finding herself, I can't help but think that she treats Jeremy horribly and that it is a total disconnect from what her character is supposed to be.
The writing is back to being unoffensive. Chiaverini barely ever uses harsh words let alone vivid disturbing descriptions. For other descriptions, there are a great many quilts mentioned in this novel but they lack the color and charm that some of her earlier books brought to life. She used to spend great time on colors and shapes, describing patterns and stitches, now we're lucky if they are called "jewel-toned". I also had trouble with something that didn't match up in the book to me. The Quilter's Holiday is supposed to feature a potluck of Thanksgiving leftovers, but then goes on to say the day is the day before Thanksgiving. Perhaps they had a Thanksgiving of their own but it still wasn't very clear to me.
I of course will always continue on with the series. Even her worst is still pretty good. I just hope that she re finds what made the series so charming to begin with. I want to see the character reconnect and picture the quilts so elegantly described in my mind.
A Quilter's Holiday
Copyright 2009
278 pages
November 27, 2015
This might seem an odd read for a non-quilter, especially since this is the fifteenth installment in the series and I haven't read a single one! I simply picked this up at a library book sale and decided it looked like a delightful, easy Thanksgiving read for a busy Holiday.
We follow a bunch of sweet ladies who meet each year at Elm Creek Manor the day after Thanksgiving, which coincides with the first day of quilting season. They sew all weekend and catch up on each other's lives. This story is rich in cozy detail. From the intricate stitching detail on the gratitude quilt blocks, the descriptions of food, and the stories of the women as they talk about their year, this book is like a giant blanket. It also felt like I was watching a Hallmark movie, with perhaps a bit less cheese.
I had fun with this and liked that it was exactly what I expected. It made me want to take classes at my local JoAnn Fabrics! There was an interesting section about how most people who take up the hobby quickly realize that it is more than a frivolous venture. The mere act of creating does the mind good, but the collaborative effort with other people is enriching as well and has substantial benefit for health and happiness.
I'm sure I would have a bit more context if I'd read some of the other books, but that didn't seem to matter as everyone was introduced adequately. In my opinion, you could read this as a standalone and it would be fine. I don't know how this book compares to the rest of the series, but if you like quick, enjoyable, and heartfelt books about friendship, food, and quilting, this seems like a good choice.
We follow a bunch of sweet ladies who meet each year at Elm Creek Manor the day after Thanksgiving, which coincides with the first day of quilting season. They sew all weekend and catch up on each other's lives. This story is rich in cozy detail. From the intricate stitching detail on the gratitude quilt blocks, the descriptions of food, and the stories of the women as they talk about their year, this book is like a giant blanket. It also felt like I was watching a Hallmark movie, with perhaps a bit less cheese.
I had fun with this and liked that it was exactly what I expected. It made me want to take classes at my local JoAnn Fabrics! There was an interesting section about how most people who take up the hobby quickly realize that it is more than a frivolous venture. The mere act of creating does the mind good, but the collaborative effort with other people is enriching as well and has substantial benefit for health and happiness.
I'm sure I would have a bit more context if I'd read some of the other books, but that didn't seem to matter as everyone was introduced adequately. In my opinion, you could read this as a standalone and it would be fine. I don't know how this book compares to the rest of the series, but if you like quick, enjoyable, and heartfelt books about friendship, food, and quilting, this seems like a good choice.
November 22, 2009
This was a wonderful book. I have liked all of the Elm Creek series and I figured this would just be a typical "holiday" book, a quick read, not much content. I was totally wrong. This book gives quite a bit of backstory to many of the characters. It also left quite a few "cliff hangers" for future books. I don't think I would recommend this book for someone that hasn't read the rest of the series; I'm not sure a "new" reader would be able to pick up at this point (this is the 15th book in the series).
November 20, 2017
I have always said there are three sides to every story; Side A, Side B, and the truth.
I enjoyed how she wrote the same story from the perspective of everyone at the retreat. It was the same event, but everyone experienced it differently. I found the character development rushed, but then again this is a series of books and i only read the one, so many i am missing a great deal by not having read the other books.
I enjoyed how she wrote the same story from the perspective of everyone at the retreat. It was the same event, but everyone experienced it differently. I found the character development rushed, but then again this is a series of books and i only read the one, so many i am missing a great deal by not having read the other books.
December 26, 2009
This is a favorite series at our library & it's hard to get the books out in order. I did not realize this was #15 in the series. I picked it up because I had read the recipe book, The Quilter's Kitchen, where I met Anna, & thoroughly enjoyed it. I expected it to be a holiday book with not much substance to it. I enjoy it when Chiaverini gives us back stories & weaves the stories together.
June 16, 2018
I've been away from Elm Creek books for awhile, so this was a good way for me to reconnect with the characters and their stories. However, I found myself skipping ahead at times, as it seemed repetitive and slow in a few places.
December 14, 2009
This book is as warm and cozy as the homemade quilt. The characters are multi-faceted.
January 25, 2016
1st one I read and was hooked:)
December 9, 2016
3 may be generous. This was light and fluffy, so for someone who likes a feel-good read this is for you. Easy and fast read, and the author does add some depth to the characters.
May 26, 2023
This is a Thanksgiving Book. Sylvia and 5 of her friends from the Elm Creek Manor Quilters Group in Pennsylvania, spend time during one thanksgiving, The year is sometime before 2012 but nothing more specific.
To be honest, I found this book to pretty much a whine fest.
Diane lives for her religion and expects her sons to continue attending church even though they are now over 18 and attending college. She also nitpicks everyone else quilting choices.
Sarah's father-in-law expects his son Matt to help him in his construction business, located a hefty 3 hour drive away. Sarah is expecting twin babies and was also expecting Matt to help her get through her pregnancy. But it looks like he will abandon his wife and go running back to his daddy.
Jeremy is being torn between 2 girls, Summer Sullivan and the chef Anna del Maso. Anna is at Elm Creek Manor. Summer is in Chicago at University. Her mother Gwen is one of the teachers at Elm Creek Manor. summer appears to be growing more political and away from the traditions. Anna loves the family traditions and she loves quilting too. Who does Jeremy really love?
Sylvia is mostly concerned with finding a lost cousin. One who travelled out to California in the 1920s. Letter writing became intermittent and then disappeared during the Great depression. This chapter I enjoyed the most - for the family history of course.
While stories are supposed to have conflict to drive this story forward, this book has rather too much angst (and negativity) for my liking.
I gave it 3 stars.
To be honest, I found this book to pretty much a whine fest.
Diane lives for her religion and expects her sons to continue attending church even though they are now over 18 and attending college. She also nitpicks everyone else quilting choices.
Sarah's father-in-law expects his son Matt to help him in his construction business, located a hefty 3 hour drive away. Sarah is expecting twin babies and was also expecting Matt to help her get through her pregnancy. But it looks like he will abandon his wife and go running back to his daddy.
Jeremy is being torn between 2 girls, Summer Sullivan and the chef Anna del Maso. Anna is at Elm Creek Manor. Summer is in Chicago at University. Her mother Gwen is one of the teachers at Elm Creek Manor. summer appears to be growing more political and away from the traditions. Anna loves the family traditions and she loves quilting too. Who does Jeremy really love?
Sylvia is mostly concerned with finding a lost cousin. One who travelled out to California in the 1920s. Letter writing became intermittent and then disappeared during the Great depression. This chapter I enjoyed the most - for the family history of course.
While stories are supposed to have conflict to drive this story forward, this book has rather too much angst (and negativity) for my liking.
I gave it 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
For one of the book clubs I am a part of, this was the November pick to read. The fact that it is the fifteenth book in the series had already made me question if I would participate in reading it or not. I do feel like I missed a few important things from previous books while reading this, and that is the main reason for my rating.
This is a story that talks about different women and what they are going through. It involves quilting and a quilting group as well. There are stories about friendship, love, and family. Most of this book is set at Thanksgiving time (glad I read this before it was Thanksgiving).
I liked the story of Sylvia the most, who was looking for a family heirloom quilt. She tells a bit of the history of her family and the history of the quilt.
Each of the characters are creating a quilt block to be made into a single quilt. As a quilter myself, I could understand and comprehend the talk around the quilt (such as applique methods, long arm usage, and names of types of block styles).
Some of the stories of these women fell short or seemed to not resonate enough to my heart while reading it though. Again, it is probably due to me not knowing the story up until this point (and 14 books of stories being missed is a huge portion).
This is a story that talks about different women and what they are going through. It involves quilting and a quilting group as well. There are stories about friendship, love, and family. Most of this book is set at Thanksgiving time (glad I read this before it was Thanksgiving).
I liked the story of Sylvia the most, who was looking for a family heirloom quilt. She tells a bit of the history of her family and the history of the quilt.
Each of the characters are creating a quilt block to be made into a single quilt. As a quilter myself, I could understand and comprehend the talk around the quilt (such as applique methods, long arm usage, and names of types of block styles).
Some of the stories of these women fell short or seemed to not resonate enough to my heart while reading it though. Again, it is probably due to me not knowing the story up until this point (and 14 books of stories being missed is a huge portion).
December 16, 2021
I am starting to remember why i dropped these stories. First i don’t quilt generally and it makes me wish i did and i don’t need another hobby. But also to keep these stories stand alone even though they are written sequentially she starts quoting herself in each characters backstory whole passages. I find that tedious. I felt the same when Lilian Jackson Braun started doing it with her Cat who books. It seems like filler. But i will reserve these (and finish them as audio) because Byron loves walking and i can’t stand just staring at the same trees and houses.
This is the book where Jeremy breaks up with Summer and Anna confesses her love. Matt tells Sara he is gong to work weeks with his dad rather than comfort her through the pregnancy and he really has no plan to tell his dad no.
Holiday boutique is mentioned in passing (which will be a later book) as well as Bonnie who moved to Hawaii, so we get her adventures and she deserves a good turn after the double drama of marriage and business. I feel like i read about the California cousin at some point. But there is always more depths they can pilfer for melodrama.
This is the book where Jeremy breaks up with Summer and Anna confesses her love. Matt tells Sara he is gong to work weeks with his dad rather than comfort her through the pregnancy and he really has no plan to tell his dad no.
Holiday boutique is mentioned in passing (which will be a later book) as well as Bonnie who moved to Hawaii, so we get her adventures and she deserves a good turn after the double drama of marriage and business. I feel like i read about the California cousin at some point. But there is always more depths they can pilfer for melodrama.
February 16, 2023
Not a huge fan of the Quilters series, I nevertheless pulled “The Quilter’s Holiday” off the (top!!) shelf of the library and plowed into the story. The characters in this series are loving and family oriented, and they highly value their friendships. Black Friday is the date of the story, and the quilting women gather for their annual quilt-fest to finish their Christmas gifts, quilt and enjoy the fellowship. This year, each is to bring a quilt square that represents what they’re thankful for (and a dish to pass that includes Thanksgiving leftovers). The book breaks into a patchwork (sorry!) of its six major characters, each of whose story is featured in a chapter; the women are quite varied in their personalities and situations. "A Quilter's Holiday" is a feel-good book, and happiness is never in doubt. The situations seem forced, predictable and trite. It’s a good diversion, but not the sort of book that sticks with me; I had read a previous book in the series, and I can’t recall if the characters are the same or not.
November 14, 2023
I had not read any books in this series before (hadn't even noticed it was from a series when I got it from the library), so I don't have the complaint of some other readers that it's a rehash of stories told previously. I had read one or two other books by Chiaverini which were OK but not great, so all I was looking for was a nice story, which this was. I'm not a quilter so I enjoyed learning a little about quilting, and there wasn't so much detail as to be off-putting for a non-quilter. (I do like arts and crafts and I've done some sewing, including once a sort of baby quilt but not the kind of quilts with separate squares that have to be sewn together.) My only complaint in terms of the writing is that most of the characters' stories are told by them remembering things from the past, so there's relatively little that actually happens in the present - but enough that it's still a good story. I like the focus on family and other relationships and the importance of holidays and other rituals.
November 19, 2023
The Quilter's Holiday is a gathering of ladies, the day after Thanksgiving Day. They gather to start working on gifts for Christmas gifts and the Christmas Boutique. Sylvia is the owner of Elm Creek Manor and has made her childhood home a quilter's place of learning and friendship of a group of ladies. Beside Sylvia gathering that day, there is Sarah (She helps at the Manor and her husband, Matt, is the caretaker), Diane, Anna 9she is the cook of the Manor), Gretchen (she and her husband. Joe, live at the Manor), Gwen. For lunch that day per Sylvia's request they each make a dish with Thanksgiving leftovers.
They help and advise each other when they need help with their projects. Each and every quilt has a theme of its own for the recipient getting the Chrtistmas gift. I so enjoy Jennifer Chiaverini books. I look forward to finishing the Quilt series. This is all history which I tyhroughly enjoy.
They help and advise each other when they need help with their projects. Each and every quilt has a theme of its own for the recipient getting the Chrtistmas gift. I so enjoy Jennifer Chiaverini books. I look forward to finishing the Quilt series. This is all history which I tyhroughly enjoy.
December 27, 2025
A friend (AC) sent me this book in time to enjoy for the holiday season. I don't remember if I've read anything from this series previously.
I liked the tradition of Quilter's Holiday (the Friday after Thanksgiving) where they brought a dish from Thanksgiving leftovers and their quilting projects and shared time together.
Much of the focus seems to be on traditions. The cornucopia is a revived tradition (this year each quilter makes a symbolic quilting square--I'm glad the guys (who don't quilt) found a way to participate too.) Some traditions are good--but they can become "bad" if they feel burdensome or enforced. (The lasagna sounds like a tradition but the focus on the lasagna not being eaten the day before Thanksgiving made it seem "bad" to me.)
I did have trouble keeping characters straight. Several characters names start with the letter S and I found myself confusing them more than once.
I liked the tradition of Quilter's Holiday (the Friday after Thanksgiving) where they brought a dish from Thanksgiving leftovers and their quilting projects and shared time together.
Much of the focus seems to be on traditions. The cornucopia is a revived tradition (this year each quilter makes a symbolic quilting square--I'm glad the guys (who don't quilt) found a way to participate too.) Some traditions are good--but they can become "bad" if they feel burdensome or enforced. (The lasagna sounds like a tradition but the focus on the lasagna not being eaten the day before Thanksgiving made it seem "bad" to me.)
I did have trouble keeping characters straight. Several characters names start with the letter S and I found myself confusing them more than once.
October 3, 2020
Cozy...I liked the characters and the relationships between them. Somehow my library browsing meant I failed to correctly identify the first in the series (WHY aren't lists in the front pages always in order?!), but it was surprisingly still enjoyable. Christianity plays a central role in most of the storylines, believably and without moralizing. As a non-denominational Christian reader I appreciate that - but since I'm going back to #1 we'll see how it plays out over the series.
When the world seems to be falling apart, it's awfully comforting to read about a group of friends gathering in front of a fireplace to quilt together. As a crafter and new-ish parent, I'm really hoping the rest of the series is just as sweet - perfect to get me through the winter ahead.
Also, this was a very very quick read.
When the world seems to be falling apart, it's awfully comforting to read about a group of friends gathering in front of a fireplace to quilt together. As a crafter and new-ish parent, I'm really hoping the rest of the series is just as sweet - perfect to get me through the winter ahead.
Also, this was a very very quick read.
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