World's Fair Quilt (The Elm Creek Book Series, Book 23) by Jennifer Chiaverini. New York, William Morrow, 2025. 336 Pages. Publication Date April 21, 2025. ***
In this latest novel in the series, Sylvia and Sarah are concerned with the financial status of Elm Creek Manor. Needing repairs including a new roof and not wanting to increase the tuition of the retreat for quilters, requires creative means to acquire money. Brainstorming brings back memories for Sylvia of another time in her life when her family faced financial difficulties. Teenagers Sylvia and her sister, Claudia, collaborate to design a quilt for the Sears National Quilt Contest for the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition (Chicago World Fair). With a grand prize of $1,200—more than the average annual income at the time, Sylvia and Claudia overcome their sibling rivalry long enough to finish the quilt and enter it in the contest. When Summer asks to borrow the quilt for an exhibit at the Union Hall in the Waterford Historical Society, Sylvia struggles with her feelings and memories associated with the quilt.
Chiaverini provides another glimpse into life at Elm Creek Manor and the 1930s. Fans of the series will embrace this new book in the series and the continued saga of Sylvia and her family. There were 24,000 entries in the contest and the reader is drawn into the creative process and angst of the short timeline to complete the quilt. Quilters will empathize with trying to create a unique quilt while conforming to the contest guidelines and rules. Chiaverini weaves a compelling story of friendship, resilience, and family. I love when I enjoy the story and learn something new.
Sears National Quilt Contest for the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition (Chicago World Fair) - http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2023/03/chicagos-1933-quilt-contest-updated.html
https://journalofantiques.com/features/sears-national-quilt-contest/
I received a copy from Netgalley to review.
Jennifer Chiaverini is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-three novels, including critically acclaimed historical fiction and the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series. Jennifer graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned her MA English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. She, her husband, and their two sons call Madison, Wisconsin home.
For more information - https://www.jenniferchiaverini.com.
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