Being written around the World’s Fair in Chicago was an instant pull for me. I love my Chicago and my history.

Sylvia is a woman with an antique quilt of potentially great value, both personally and historically. Her story soon unfolds, taking us back to the 1930s and a venture Sylvia and her sister Claudia embark on on their youth.

I found this to be a sweet story with surprises along the way. There are such a variety of stories in this series and although this one wasn’t my favorite, it was an interesting look at how we protect our loved ones and preserve their passions

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. These two sisters learned a great deal about life and each other during the process.

This rotates between present day and the depression era. I enjoyed both. But learning about the Sears, Roebuck quilting contest really had me entertained. We live in such a now society, it was so interesting to read about how anxiety created such a part due to waiting on the mail. I know….weird on my part.

This is a sweet novel. Almost too sweet for me, but I enjoyed the time period and the characters. This is part of a series and I have not read a single one. I did not feel lost at all. I had no idea it was part of a series till I went to set up this post.

The narrator, Christina Moore, did a very good job. I enjoyed all her voices for all the characters.

Need a novel about the love of sisters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I was so excited to see another Quilt book - I have been reading this series since high school and it's just the loveliest. This one bounced back and forth between the modern day quilters and quilters of the past. We had just been learning about the World's Fair in our homsechool, so this book was the perfect addition for me as a mom. I love the descriptions of the quilts and how the relationships evolve through the story. You can read this without having read the other books, but the background you have if you read them all will definitely help. LOVED this one!!

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.

Audio was well done, no issues

I requested The World's Fair Quilt without realizing that it is part of a series. That being said, I do think there is still something to enjoy here, even if you haven’t read the previous books. Jennifer Chiaverini does a great job of providing backstory for her characters, which helped me appreciate the novel despite my lack of familiarity with the series as a whole.

While this wasn’t my favorite book of the year, I found it to be a relaxing and enjoyable read. Chiaverini’s writing has a soothing quality, making it a great choice for those looking for a gentle, historical novel. Christina Moore is always a classic narrator, and she has done her typical excellent job here, bringing the characters and setting to life in a way that enhances the story.

I do plan to revisit this book after reading the full series, as I suspect I’ll be able to give it more of my attention and admiration with greater context.

Thank you to Jennifer Chiaverini, Christina Moore, HarperAudio, and NetGalley for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This latest Elm Creek Quilts series book delivers a heartfelt blend of historical fiction and contemporary drama. Jennifer Chiaverini skillfully weaves together two timelines—1933 and 2004—exploring Sylvia Bergstrom Compson's teenage years and her present-day struggles to preserve Elm Creek Manor. The historical thread, centered on a quilt entered into the Sears National Quilt Contest, is rich with period details that will transport you to the past, and captivating themes of progress, resilience, and family bonds.
While longtime fans will appreciate the return to familiar characters and settings, the novel's pacing falters sometimes, with secondary characters and details that don't always add momentum to the story. The back-and-forth between timelines, while insightful, could have packed more emotional weight. However, Chiaverini's depiction of the quilting process and the strong camaraderie among quilters, and the perseverance required to create something significant, will make you feel a part of this community.
For quilting enthusiasts and historical fiction lovers, this book offers a satisfying, if slightly meandering, addition to the Elm Creek Quilts series.

Thank you, Net Galley for the opportunity to read.

I enjoyed this quilting story. The narration was interesting, because the narrator’s voice reminded me of actress Jane Fonda Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader audio book.

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 receive this ARC and return to Elm Creek! As a long time Elm Creek reader, these characters have become my friends. I was so excited to listen to Sylvia recount her experiences with the World’s Fair Quilt and reflect upon her past making it after hearing about it so much throughout the series. I can’t wait for the next installment to see how the orchard is progressing and what happens with the quilt camp!

While this can be read as a standalone, I do recommend starting at book 1 to learn the background information on what makes Elm Creek Quilts so great!

A lovely dual timeline novel delving into the world of quilts. Chiaverini does a great job of talking through some of the history of quilts through the age and the meanings.

As fall paints the Pennsylvania countryside in flaming colors, Sylvia Bergstrom Compson is contemplating the future of her beloved Elm Creek Quilts. The Elm Creek Quilt Camp remains the most popular quilter’s retreat in the country, but unexpected financial difficulties have beset them and the Bergstrom family’s stately nineteenth-century manor. Now in her eighth decade, Sylvia is determined to maintain her family’s legacy, but she needs new resources—financial and emotional.

Summer Sullivan—a founding Elm Creek Quilter—arrives to discuss an 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 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.

Sylvia is reluctant to lend out the quilt, which has been stored in the attic for decades, nearly forgotten. In keeping with the contest’s “Century of Progress” theme, the girls illustrated progress of values—scenes of the Emancipation Proclamation, woman’s suffrage, and labor unions. But although it won ribbons, the quilt also drove a wedge between the sisters.

As Sylvia reluctantly retraces her quilt’s story for Summer, she makes an unexpected discovery—one that restores some of her faith in this unique work of art, and helps shine some light on a way forward for the Elm Creek Quilts community.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Setting: Waterford, Pennsylvania
Genre: Historical Fiction

Jennifer Chiaverini once again delivers a richly woven tale of history, family, and the enduring power of quilts in The World’s Fair Quilt. This novel, like a cherished heirloom, is stitched with layers of emotion, historical intrigue, and the deep bonds that connect women across generations.

At the heart of the story is Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, the steadfast guardian of Elm Creek Quilts, now facing financial difficulties that threaten its future. When Summer Sullivan arrives with a request to display an antique quilt from Sylvia’s past, the request stirs up long-buried memories of a quilt made for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair—a quilt that once won ribbons but also caused a painful rift between Sylvia and her sister Claudia. As Sylvia revisits the past, she uncovers unexpected truths, not only about the quilt but about herself, her family, and the possibilities that still lie ahead.

Chiaverini’s gift for blending history with personal narratives shines in this novel. The details surrounding the Sears National Quilt Contest and the Century of Progress Exposition add a fascinating backdrop, offering readers a glimpse into a unique piece of quilting history. The themes of resilience, reconciliation, and the way art preserves the voices of the past make this book particularly poignant.

While the novel’s pacing lingers in places, and some resolutions feel a bit too neatly tied up, the emotional depth and historical richness more than make up for it. Longtime fans of the Elm Creek Quilts series will appreciate this heartfelt installment, while newcomers will find themselves drawn into the warmth and wisdom of Chiaverini’s storytelling.

A touching tribute to both quilting and the enduring power of family, The World’s Fair Quilt is a worthy addition to the series—one that reminds us that every stitch tells a story, and sometimes, looking back is the key to moving forward. #netgalley #theworldsfairquilt #booked_this_weekend

A light and wholesome read. This focuses on sisters, community, and quilting, and the World's Fair in Chicago. Sylvia's story is told in two timelines, 2004, when she's trying to keep her quilting camp afloat and 1933, when she and her sister made a quilt and entered it in Sears Roebuck contest. This is an extension of the Elm's Creek Quilt series and it is a relaxing and detailed quilt story. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Thanks for the opportunity to Netgalley, the author and publisher.