I love Jennifer Chiaverini’s quilt novels—they are my comfort reading in these crazy times. Familiar characters, comforting storylines, and satisfying endings. American values that aren’t politicized in any way. I find them both calming and inspiring. I also really enjoyed the history of the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a lovely (and long awaited) addition to the Elm Creek Quilts series. It is so refreshing to return to Sylvia's story, and to learn more about Sarah, Matt, and their twins. This story takes place in present day (2004) as well as the past (1933) where we learn about Sylvia and her sister Claudia's quilt making entry into the 1933 Chicago World's Fair quilt contest. As always, Jennifer provides interesting historical details about this one of a kind quilt contest. It makes you want to learn even more about this contest, which can be accomplished by reading the resources mentioned. For those who are not familiar with the Elm Creek Quilts series, or it has been awhile since you read the books, there are details to bring you up to speed. Some may find this repetitive, but it was actually helpful in refreshing my memory. We get to learn more about Sylvia and Claudia when they were teenagers, which helps paint more of their backstory and enhance the series. If you love this series, or you are interested in quilts and quilt making, this is a fun read!

I’m now very sorry I had never heard of this series. I enjoyed this book so much that I searched for other books in the series to enjoy later.
This is a wonderfully written blending of past and present. We go back to 1933 for the back story on the quilt and the relationship between Sylvia and her sister Claudia. Then we go to 2004 when the quilt is brought up to become part of a display of historical quilts. Sylvia is still involved in quilting and now also the running of the family home and property.
This is one of my favorite historical fiction novels. It was so beautifully written with descriptions of the background and quilts that brought the book to life.
I did receive this book as a free ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Elm Creek Quilt Retreat is struggling with some financial issues and the group is working together on a new investment plan which includes the opening of Elm Creek Orchards. Though Sylvia is supportive of the idea she is wary and makes her misgivings known. The book switches between the present and the past as Sylvia reminisces about the Sears and Robuck World's Fair Quilt competition of 1933. It was during the depression and she and her sister Claudia had a grand idea to win the contest and bring the money home for the family. As the story progresses we learn how the two sisters learned to work together on the quilt and though they didn't win the grand prize, Silvia acknowledges that is was a time of camaraderie between her and Claudia. The description of the World's Fair in Chicago was interesting as was the story of the creation of their World's Fair Quilt.

How can a series go on for 23 books across multiple decades and still interest readers? For the Elm Creek Quilt series, it is because Jennifer Chiaverini is a master at creating characters, balancing current story lines with emotional flash backs to prior times at Elm Creek. And of course, there are the quilts themselves, each with its own story. In this latest installment, Sylvia is asked to loan to the local museum the quilt she and her sister Claudia made in 1933 for a contest to celebrate the Chicago World's Fair. Faithful readers of this series will realize that Sylvia and Claudia had a bumpy relationship from childhood on, so the concept of the two working successfully together on a single project seems unlikely. And the pair, 13 and 15 at the time, do not disappoint, demonstrating that their sibling rivalry was strong even when they wanted to cooperate to improve their chances of winning a ribbon. Coupled with the Depression era tale, is the present day (2004) preparation at Elm Creek for their first orchard sale to the pubic. Despite Sylvia's obvious aging, there are little threads of story which clearly indicate the life of Elm Creek Quilts will be continuing beyond this book

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

This book is a continuation in the Elm Creek Quits series. The story of the current Elm Creek Quilters planning to open their apple orchards to the public is interwoven with the history of owner, Sylvia, working on a quilting project with her sister, Claudia, years ago, for the Chicago World’s Fair. At the ages of 13 and 15, Sylvia and Claudia decide to enter a quilt competition sponsored by Sears Roebuck. They hope to win a monetary prize in order to help their family business following the Depression. This is cozy fiction. If you have read any of the other Elm Creek stories, you are familiar with the characters. The history about the World’s Fair, Century of Progress Quilt Contest is interesting. Read the book to discover how well the girls did in the quilt competition.

THE WORLD’S FAIR QUILT is the most recent addition to a very long series about friends, quilting and second chances. Many of the books were so good that I have remembered them for years. This newest wasn’t quite in that category but delivers a soft-hearted take on sibling rivalry and the long life it has between sisters. Two sisters, very close in age, compete with one another over everything under the sun. Despite this competition, they work together to produce a quilt for a national competition in 1933. In current time, someone asks to display this quilt in an exhibit and the book moves back and forth between timelines. There is a very good summary of the main series characters in the beginning of the book. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I tried to read this book and just couldn't make it through it. I apologize to the publisher and the author for picking a book outside of my comfort zone. I feel like this book is probably good for the right audience and it just wasn't for me at this time. I appreciate you taking the time to allow me to try something new to see if I liked it. Thank you.

Quilters will be delighted to return to the Elm Creek as Sylvia reflects on her early years quilting with her sister, Claudia when asked to display an antique quilt both had created. Readers will enjoy the history behind the quilt and its creation. Elm Creek is facing financial challenges as the major maintenance is needed and everyone is onboard to help. I loved revisiting the characters that have been in the previous novels and Sylvia’s reflections on her relationship with her sister. An welcomed addition to the collection.

It was a gentle and slow read… I lasted around 25% on my Kindle ARC and just couldn’t get pulled into the story enough, while another ARC sped along much faster. The plot centers around sibling rivalry and flashes back and forth between the FMC reminiscing in the modern day and telling a friend what happened and scenes of plot with the teenage FMC and her sister planning to enter the quilting competition hosted by the Sears Roebuck catalog for the Chicago World’s Fair. I appreciated the gentle reminders of who everyone is and what has been happening in the modern day, since this is the twenty third entry in a series about Elm Creek quilts. I didn’t feel I’d missed anything from the previous installments.

I love the Elm Creek Quilt series and this book was a great addition. This heartfelt story weaves together themes of family, history, and the enduring art of quilting. We learn of Sylvia’s emotional journey as she revisits the past through the lens of a quilt created for the 1933 World’s Fair. A delightful read.
Many thanks to William Morrow and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A delightful read, with many interesting things the author shared about quilting and about the Chicago World’s Fair.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

The World’s Fair Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini is the long-awaited next visit to Elm Creek Quilts where things aren’t as well as they might me. Matt has been working long and hard on his scheme to open the apple orchards to self-pickers and Sylvia has not been as enthusiastic or supportive as she should have been. She recognizes it is his effort to do something on his own and she appreciates that. She is heartsick at the thought that that the quilting school isn’t turning out to be quite the legacy for Sarah and Matt that she had hoped and is adamant about not raising enrollment fees. Summer has appeared and asked about a quilt of Sylvia’s to hang in her exhibition as she will shortly need to return Sarah’s for use on the their bed as winter closes in. The request and looking in the attic for the quilt bring a plethora of memories for Sylvia. Some, perhaps, better forgotten.

This series has been a part of my life since 1999 and I have missed it. I enjoy Chiaverini’s other books but this is her best, as is recognized by the fact it is the twenty-third in the series. The characters are clean and crisp and are regular people. The community they have built. With help from some others, is to be admired. When one gets as old as Sylvia (past 80) there are always stories to tell, which is the point of a quilt, after all, of which she has many. The plot is simple, but effective, and told as a catharsis, of sorts, in two timelines. Sylvia has had a happy life, and when she looks back she realizes that more and more. The business is a success, but there is always room to grow, as she sees as the book progresses. The past stays in the past to be ruminated over and reassessed. The self-pick orchard is an astounding success and the matter of re-roofing the manor is resolved. What a wonderful book!

I was invited to read The World’s Fair Quilt by William Morrow. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #WilliamMorrow #JenniferChiaverini #TheWorldsFairQuilt

Jennifer Chiaverini’s *The World’s Fair Quilt* is another installment in the long-running Elm Creek Quilts series, bringing readers back into the world of quilting and history. This time, the narrative revolves around the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, where a group of women set out to create an extraordinary quilt to represent their time and talents.

The premise is promising, especially for those who love historical fiction and quilting, but the execution feels a bit lackluster. While Chiaverini clearly does her research—bringing historical details to life—the storytelling can feel more like a history lesson than an engaging novel. The characters, though well-intentioned, sometimes fall into predictable patterns, and the dialogue doesn’t always feel as natural or compelling as it could be.

Fans of the series will likely appreciate the attention to quilting history and craftsmanship, but for those looking for a more dynamic or emotionally rich story, *The World’s Fair Quilt* may feel a bit flat. It’s not a bad book, but it doesn’t quite rise to the level of Chiaverini’s stronger works. If you love quilting and historical detail, you may enjoy it—but if you’re looking for deep character development and a gripping plot, you might find yourself skimming.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


**Rating: 3/5**

I am not a quilter, but I have enjoyed Jennifer Chiaverini books. The people and the quilts that are made have their own story, You can read what the story is about in the description. But what I want to tell you, is how the book made me feel. Sylvia was remembering her and her sister, making the quilt to enter into the Sears National Quilt Contest for the 1933 Chicago World Fair. Summer, in 2004, wants to display the quilt and share the history, and the story shares with us the history of this quilt.
As I was reading wrapped in one of my quilts, I enjoyed my time reading this and hope you choose to read it too.
I received an ARC from William Morrow through NetGalley.

I have read a couple of other books in this series so I was looking forward to reading this book. I loved the characters and the nostalgic feeling of the writing as it jumped between the years 1933 and 2004. I found the 1933 chapters the most interesting because I learned a lot about the World’s Fair in Chicago and the quilting contest sponsored by Sears. The 2004 chapters were more slow-burn because they were about the family of characters and their struggles keeping Elm Creek Manor going. I did like Sylvia’s change of heart about her sister at the end of the book. It wrapped up the story nicely. This book is a perfect fit for Jennifer Chiaverini fans and readers who enjoy a good, clean fictional read!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed reading The World's Fair Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Another interesting story about the past at the Bergstrom farm and the future of Elm Creek Quilts. I enjoyed learning more about what created the tenuous relationship between Sylvia and her sister as well as the large quilt contest they entered together. I’m also intrigued by the new side hustles they are taking on at the estate but found overall that there isn’t much more that can be added to the story of the quilt camp or the farm overall. The recap at the beginning is crucial for new visitors to the series but gets tiresome if you’ve read the previous books as it seems so long and drawn out. Otherwise, it’s a good addition to the series.

Not too many authors I’d just jump into a series on book 23, but for Jennifer Chiaverini. I love her historical fiction books, and the story of “The World’s Fair Quilt” caught my eye. She did not let me down.

Sylvia Bergstrom Compson is wondering what the future holds for Elm Creek Quilts. The Elm Creek Quilt Camp is still very popular, it has run into some financial difficulty. Summer Sullivan asks to antique quilt that she wants to display at the Waterford Historical Society’s quilt exhibit. When Sylvia and her sister Claudia were teenagers, they had entered a quilt in the Chicago’s World Fair. Sylvia is reluctant, the quilt has been in the attic for decades and caused a huge riff between Sylvia and Claudia.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow! #TheWorldsFairQuilt #NetGalley

Now in her 80s and with unexpected financial trouble, Sylvia is thinking hard about the future of Elm Creek Quilts. She loves their quilt camps and campers but needs help. Then Summer, working for the local historical society, asks to display a quilt made by Sylvia and her sister Claudia as part of a national competition promoting the Chicago World’s Fair. Sylvia is hesitant to agree, thinking the quilt isn’t all that special, but as she reminisces about the making of that quilt, she learns that that may not be the case after all.

I love this series, probably in good part because I live not far from the part of Pennsylvania where the books are set. Every time I sit down with one of the books, I imagine the hills and rivers of the area, even some of the local landmarks that are mentioned, and it makes me want to go back for a visit. After all these books, the characters are old friends by now, and I’ve enjoyed watching their relationships grow and change over the years.

Unlike most of the books I read, there is no mystery here, just a telling of a decades-old family story. We learn about the things that were important to the country in the 1930s and how they affected two teenaged sisters in central Pennsylvania at the time. We learn more about quilting and the need to be precise and focused on whatever task may be at hand. And we learn the importance of friendship, of honesty and of not being afraid to ask for help – all lessons that are relevant even today, perhaps even *especially today?

I hope this series continues, as I really want to continue visiting with the ladies (and gentlemen) of Elm Creek Quilts.