An Elm Creek Quilts Collection: The Sugar Camp Quilt / Circle of Quilters / The Quilter’s Homecoming

Elm Creek Quilts #7, 9-10

by Jennifer Chiaverini

Three complete novels: The Sugar Camp Quilt, Circle of Quilters, and The Quilter’s Homecoming, from the New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Chiaverini.

History is thick with secrets in The Sugar Camp Quilt, seventh in the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series from bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini. Set in Creek's Crossing, Pennsylvania, in the years leading up to the Civil War, the novel follows Dorothea Granger's passage from innocence to wisdom against the harrowing backdrop of the American struggle over slavery. She discovers that a quilt she has stitched for her uncle Jacob with five unusual patterns of his own design contains hidden clues to guide runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad. The heroic journey she undertakes leads to revelations about her own courage and resourcefulness — newfound qualities that may win her the heart of the best man she has ever known.

When Elm Creek Quilts announces openings for two new teachers in Circle of Quilters, quilters everywhere are vying to land the prestigious post. The impending departure of two founding members means untold changes for the Elm Creek Quilters. As they begin the interview process, a single question emerges: Who can possibly take the place of beloved colleagues and friends? Will it be Maggie, whose love of history shines through in all her projects; Anna, whose food-themed quilts are wonderfully innovative; Russ, the male quilter with a completely original style; Karen, a novice teacher whose gifts for language complement her deep understanding of the quilters' mission; or Gretchen, the soulful veteran whose craft is inspired by quilting tradition?

A Roaring Twenties adventure unfolds in The Quilter's Homecoming, as young bride Elizabeth Bergstrom Nelson sets off with her husband, Henry, from her family home of Elm Creek Manor in Pennsylvania. This rich historical narrative travels to the unfamiliar terrain of southern California, where the adventurous newlyweds embrace a life as dramatic as the landscape. Expecting to assume ownership of Triumph Ranch, the couple instead learns that their deed is a fake, and that they must work for the rightful proprietors to earn their keep. Resourceful Elizabeth trades her trousseau — including the fine quilts stitched by her Bergstrom relatives — for the practical goods the Nelsons need to survive and finds friendship with California native Rosa Diaz Barclay. Yet it is Elizabeth's discovery of a mysterious cache of quilts made by a member of the Diaz family that reveals a misplaced legacy of love, land, and ancestral ties. Only by stitching the rift between the past and the future can the inhabitants of Triumph Ranch hope to live in peace alongside history.

Genres: Fiction, Quilting, Historical, Chick Lit

736 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2010

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

[Eve-Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I picked this book up for a dollar at a book sale, I am pleasantly surprised at the new and feminine world I've been drawn into. I say pleasantly because I was not mesmerised or captivated. However, as a woman who enjoys her historical fiction, I found the theme of quilting and quilts to be a welcome approach to the world of women in history. Fresh off a bout of Clive Cussler & Justin Scott's Isaac Bell series, how nice it was to immerse myself in fabric and stitches for a change.
However, Chiaverini's pacing and laundry-list like descriptions could take some hints from Cussler & Scott's scene setting stye. When I skip whole paragraphs and don't seem to have missed out on anything, that tells me the editor should have been a little harsher with her pen. I will try some of the author's other works, away from Elm Creek.

[Michelle Cofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked after the first book & have been reading her incredible stories ever since! I’ve read both these books, separately-I prefer to read her books in chronological order, but you don’t need to, it’s just my choice to. The Sugar Camp Quilt & The Runaway Quilt are my faves🧡 But, let’s face it, ALL her books are faves! I love her Elm Creek series-that’s how I learned I love reading historical fiction😍 Any book she writes, I’ll read & love💕

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is.... OMG! How fantastic is this entire series?!

I have quite literally bought all of their hard back books, twice. I gave my fist set away to my son’s school. I also bought every single item they have in kindle format.

I have read through this entire series at least four times, and am on my way through the fifth time right now.

I have my own fully equipped sewing studio with all the toys, even the professional grade longarm, all to support my hobby. I will still do quilts by hand with needle, thread, pencil, and scissors, just to enjoy the quilt making like I find in the Elm Creek Quilt series. What can I say. I am an over 60 male fabric crafting fan who has been obsessed with quilting, sewing, and knitting, for my entire life.

This book is fantastic, and so are all the others! I really recommend them all.

...and yes, I have made several of the quilts from this series.

I also enjoy and recommend the Mrs. Lincoln’s dressmaker series and all of her oth books too.

[Pat Lawlor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun, light read about young newlyweds and their trek to CA in the 1920's to claim their farm. Interesting glimpse of life in the 1920's, as well as women's housekeeping chores and farmworkers' equipment

[Marion Creek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three different stories that were based around quilting, light feel good reading.

[Katrina Murray-Hesterlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

🙏💐

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, this is one of my favorite books in the Elm Creek Quilts novels. It was an enjoyable one to listen to as I sewed.
Book 49 of broken ankle recovery.

[Carol Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these three novels. The first, The Sugar Camp Quilt, was set in the mid 19th century. It ties the Bergstrom family with the underground railroad and is a very interesting story, tying up some loose ends in the Bergstrom family tree as it merges with the Nelson family. The third novel, The Quilter's Homecoming, is set in the early 20th century. It also connects the Bergstrom family and the Nelson family. The young couple head for California to take possession of their newly purchased farm. Theirs is a very exciting tale with multiple twists and turns in the plot.

The second novel in the book is the only one with a modern setting and continues the story of the Elm Creek Quilters. Two of the original quilters are moving and their teaching positions need to be filled. This novel traces the story of five applicants and their interviews. The author does a good job of telling this story which could well have been boring. Each person being interviewed is given an entire chapter. Their story includes the circumstances in their lives that brought them to the point of wanting to get this new job. You find yourself rooting for some over the others. All in all, it was very predictable but still a good read.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice sampler of novels by this author. It has insipred me to read more of her work.

[Tara]

07/26/12 - Got this at Greenburgh Library for $1 today. I know this is a great deal! :) ... Another series I will have to collect, lol.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!