Alternating between 1933 (when the World's Fair was in Chicago) and 2004, the main character was in her early teens and is now in her 80's.

I'm not a quilter, but I did enjoy The World's Fair Quilt. The book was very descriptive, and I enjoyed the beautiful writing.

Because approximately 1/2 the book was when the main character was in her teens, it seemed a bit YA. Definitely a book that I could give to my mother ... with a publication date before Mother's Day, I find that a perfect idea!

There was actually a Sears National Quilting Contest, a huge competition.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The World's Fair Quilt in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is April 1, 2025. Approx 300 pages. Rounding up, between 4 and 5 stars.

This is #23 in the quilting series; but my first in this series and only my second Jennifer Chiaverini book. I'm always a bit apprehensive to read a book in the middle of a series. I didn't feel like I was at a disadvantage by starting the series with book #23.

The World’s Fair Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini—Book 23 of the Elm Creek Quilts series releases on April 1. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy. I’ve read this whole series and this new entry was an enjoyable read. Dual timelines follow Sylvia & her sister in 1933 making a quilt for a nationwide contest in honor of the World’s Fair and also the present day happenings with Sylvia at Elm Creek Quilts. There is enough backstory of the series filled in that it could be read as a standalone book but I think it is best appreciated by a reader of the entire series.

Even though I have not yet read the previous books in the Elm Creek Quilts series, I was easily able to read this book because the author provided sufficient background information throughout the story. Transitions between the two timelines were also clearly identified. It was interesting to learn about the quilt competition and the Chicago World's Fair. I remember hearing that my grandparents had traveled to Chicago for the fair. Since my grandmother was a quiIter, I am sure she enjoyed viewing the quilts. We have quite a few quilts that have been handed down through the generations in our family. I will definitely be recommending this book to my quilting friends. Thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

Many thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of Jennifer Chiaverini's THE WORLD'S FAIR QUILT. This is the 23rd novel in her Elm Creek Quilt Series. I absolutely loved this book. It was like meeting up with old friends and I felt like I was really there. This novel really made me feel part of the story. I celebrated their joys and was saddened by their sorrows. I really want to see this quilt. I liked how this author went from present day back to 1933. I really enjoyed her telling of Sylvia and Claudia's relationship and it was good realizing that they weren't always at odds with each other and could compromise. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

I had read several books of this author's in the past and was always interested because of being a quilter myself. So, when I saw that I had the opportunity to request this book, I was thrilled when I was awarded the ARC. And once again, I was not disappointed!

The Elm Creek Quilt Camp is a getaway for quilters of all ages, young and old, experienced and those still learning the art. However, the 18th century manor, which houses the camp, is showing its age and the matriarch, Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, is worried she will have to close the doors due to the expensive repairs. Now that she is in her 80's, she worries that this camp for quilters will be closed.

Summer Sullivan, one of the founders of the quilt camp, is pushing to have a quilt that Sylvia and her sister, Claudia, put together when they were young girls for the World's Fair Quilt exhibit. When Sylvia and her sister Claudia were teenagers, they had entered a quilt in the Sears National Quilt Contest for the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair. The Bergstrom sisters’ quilt would be perfect for the Historical Society’s exhibit, Summer explains. However, Sylvia is resistant.

The book lets the reader learn of the individual personalities of these two girls and also the thoughts of the much older now, Sylvia.

A very enjoyable read and not one just for quilters!

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the privilege of receiving and reviewing this book.

I might not recommend this as a first book if you have not read any of the Elm Creek Quilters books, because this is not quite as good as the rest of them. iIf you start with this one, you might not be absolutely compelled to read all of them. In this one Sylvia Bergstrom, the founder of the guild, remembers collaborating with her sister to make a quilt to enter into the world's fair, The two sisters did not always see eye to eye, so of course there were heated differences of opinion about how the quilt should be made. If you ARE an Elm Creek quilter reader, you will truly enjoy this insight into the main characters of the book, and the history of the founders. Thanks to NetGalley for and arc and no pressure for a positive review.

As the title indicates, The World's Fair Quilt tells the story of Sylvia and Claudia Bergstrom's entry into the quilt competition for the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago that has been alluded to in a few of the older Elm Creek Quilts books. This was a solid and enjoyable entry into the series and long-time readers are likely to enjoy it.

I loved this installment of the Elm Creek Quilters. They just keep going and entertaining!
Sylvia and the rest of the quilters draw you into their past, their present and often glimpses of their future!

This author deserves the title "Queen of Historical Fiction"!!

Can you believe this is the 23rd book in this series? I just love the Bergstrom's story and all the quilts. This one did seem to get more in the weeds with describing the patterns and such, or maybe I am less able to follow the details as well? But it doesn't matter, the explanations are still clear enough to give me a general idea. Also, despite being the 23rd in a series, this could be read as a stand alone. The author does a wonderful job of including previously shared information/events without distracting from down the current story. And as always, I love how Ms. Chiaverini weaves actual history into her stories. I always look forward to reading one of the books in this series, and this was no exception! Grab some apple cider and get comfy!

Another lovely installment in the Elm Creek Quilt series (yes, I’ve read them all) told through a dual timeline. As Sylvia and the Elm Creek gang work through some challenges, Sylvia reflects back to when she was 13 when she and her older sister Claudia work together to make a quilt to celebrate the theme of the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I unfortunately could not get into this one. I think it’s my fault for not realizing it’s part of a series. I was missing the connection to the town and the people that I may have had should I have read the other books. Still love this author though.

Another great addition to the Elm Creek series! Each book in this series makes me feel like I’m returning to old friends, and this was no exception. I enjoyed catching up with the Elm Creek Quilters, and learning more about the World’s Fair; this is the first time I’d heard about the quilting competition as I’m more familiar with the World’s Fair as the reason the first Ferris wheel was invented, but a bit of research perfectly aligned with Chiaverini’s narrative as well, confirming my belief that this was an expertly researched story.

Chiaverini is a master of the dual-timeline narrative, blending historical fiction with modern concerns and demonstrating the importance of remembering what happened in the past. While this could be read as a stand-alone novel, I highly recommend the books that come before it as well.

One of my all-time favorite series! My mother and I have read them together over the years. She’s an amazing and experienced quilter herself !
This was the first one I’ve listened to via audiobook and loved it. It started with a great backstory so anyone can enjoy this wonderful novel without reading the series though I highly recommend it if you have time.
Sylvia’s dual timeline was sincere and emotional. I felt a deep connection to the narrator as though she truly was Sylvia recalling her childhood memories as well as her present life with the Elm Creek family. I want to be friends with them all.
Jennifer Chiaverini is an excellent author who writes amazing, character driven novels.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was so happy to see a new book in the Elm Creek Quilts series! I've missed Sylvia, Summer, Sarah and the rest of the gang. This was a wonderful telling of the World's Fair from the view point of Sylvia as a child making a quilt with her sister for the Fair. I wish I could have seen the quilt that they made. While their entry didn't get all the way to the fair, they did well in getting to the 2nd level of the competition as children doing a quilt by themselves. I've loved all of the books in this series and this one didn't disappoint either. I'm hoping there's more coming in the future!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

I love the Elm Creek Quilt series! Every book is like visiting with old friends. This new story is no different, I got to touch base with all of my favorites. The setting is amazing and so relaxing. This book is a must read for everyone!

Alternating between the past (The Chicago World's Fair of 1933 - A Century of Progress) and the present (2004), The World's Fair Quilt offers insight into Sylvia's relationship with her sister, Claudia. Sylvia reflects on how, together, the two of them created a quilt with the theme "A Century of Progress," giving them the opportunity to work together in a harmonious relationship. In the present, that quilt is now being prepared to be exhibited at a local museum, triggering Sylvia's memories, both positive and negative ones. This book can be read as a standalone because the needed background material is incorporated into the narrative. Jennifer Chiaverini tells a delightful tale that includes a medley of historical facts, a family's complicated history, and the place that quilting has played in women's lives then and now. Years ago I read and enjoyed the first 14 books in this series; those novels gave me the incentive I needed to make a quilt of my own!

I own the whole Elm Creek Quilt series and have enjoyed reading the book. So I was excited when I found The World’s Fair eARC on NetGalley.

Just when I thought Jennifer Chiaverini couldn’t top her last Elm Creek Quilt book, Jennifer Chiaverini tops her last Elm Creek Quilt book.

I loved the dual timeline and reading more about Sylvia and her sisters relationship.

The World’s Fair Quilt is #23 in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone.

Thank you NetGalley & William Morris for the privilege of reading this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was not aware this was part of a series, so I was a bit lost. It did give an overview of the main characters and a bit of the backstory, but maybe don’t start with this book. I liked the backstory and forth between past and present.

A cute and charming read for people especially into quilting and the quilting community.

“The World’s Fair Quilt” (The Elm Creek Quilts series, book 23) by Jennifer Chiaverini
Memory Lane meets Today Realizations
A delightful combination of memories: some sad, the heartbreak of sibling differences, possibly jealousies, and the understanding and forgiveness that comes with the passage of time, matured by age and the distance of time lived. Sometimes it takes time and a bit of distance to find bits of family love that somehow got lost in the living of life. Yes, I loved this story. Happy Reading ! !.

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. I have quilts that my grandmothers made me, while reading this book, 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.
The story I was reading wrapped in one of my quilts, was memories, history, feelings, family, struggles, and oh so comforting. I enjoyed my time reading this and hope you choose to read it too.
I received an ARC from William Morrow through NetGalley.