The Christmas Quilt / The New Year's Quilt

Elm Creek Quilts #8 & 11

by Jennifer Chiaverini

A heartwarming rendition of how Christmas traditions at Elm Creek Manor were created—and embellished—over generations.

When Christmas Eve comes to Elm Creek Manor, the tenor of the holiday is far from certain. Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, the Master Quilter, has her own reasons for preferring a quiet, even subdued, Christmas. Her young friend Sarah McClure, however, takes the opposite view and decides to deck the halls brightly. As she explores the trunks packed with Bergstrom family decorations that haven't been touched in more than fifty years, Sarah discovers a curious Christmas quilt. Begun in seasonal fabrics and patterns, the quilt remains unfinished.

Sylvia reveals that the handiwork spans several generations and a quartet of Bergstrom quilters—her great aunt, her mother, her sister, and herself. As she examines the array of quilt blocks each family member contributed but never completed, memories of Christmases past emerge.

At Elm Creek Manor, Christmas began as a celebration of simple virtues—joy and hope buoyed by the spirit of giving. As each successive generation of Bergstroms lived through its unique trials—the antebellum era, the Great Depression, World War II—tradition offered sustenance even during the most difficult times. For Sylvia, who is coping with the modern problem of family dispersed, estranged, or even forgotten, reconciliation with her personal history may prove as elusive as piecing the Christmas Quilt.

Elm Creek Manor is full of secrets, from a Christmas tree with unusual properties to the sublime Bergstrom strudel recipe. Sylvia's tales at first seem to inform her family legacy but ultimately illuminate far more, from the importance of women's art to its place in commemorating our shared experience, at Christmastime and in every season.

Genres: Fiction, Christmas, Quilting, Family, Contemporary

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

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

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so pumped when I found The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini at a local used book sale. I had initially been introduced to Jennifer through her novel Mrs. Grant and Madame Julie and I fell in love with her writing style. Luckily for me, this book is written just as beautifully!

Jennifer has a way with words - intertwining magnificent descriptions with a soft and sweet flow. This collection was the perfect match for that writing style, since we jump seamlessly from a present day story to the past of our charming lead. I'm very much impressed by how sophisticated yet simple this book is - Jennifer makes the time jumps and gaps in the eras look easy!

I really felt Sylvia - her loves and losses in life were utterly heart-breaking and I emphasized with her on why she didn't like celebrating Christmas. Having Sarah as a little bridge to the past and the present was also genius. Sarah helped open Sylvia up and they both learned something about themselves in the end.

If I had a negative for this duology book, I would it was that it's not a fast paced book. I couldn't binge this in one sitting. I had to set the book down and jump back into it later because it is packed with tales of the present and past.

I did like The Christmas Quilt more than The New Year's Quilt, but that's just my personal opinion. They are both written beautifully! I simply like Christmas more than New Years, so it's a rather goofy opinion. The New Year's quilt carries on the story very elegantly.

Overall, this contemporary duology is a lovely family historical read. It's mostly a contemporary fiction novel than anything else. It's sweet, simple and a nice "curl up on the couch during a snowy day" read. You might find your heart will warm up a bit with this lovely tale!

Three out of five stars!

[penelopewanders]

So far I've read The Christmas Quilt which goes back in time, actually. I think I have 9 and 10 in the spiral waiting at home, so I figured, since I had other rings with me on my current trip, I would wait and read those first before continuing with The New Year's Quilt.
I actually read the first one and then read the interim stories before continuing. This was good, but having read all the others in the series so far there was relatively little new information and lots of repetition. Felt like a holiday filler. I did enjoy it though.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a combination of the 2 holiday Quilt books. The Christmas Quilt book takes place after the 1st book in the series and the New Years Quilt takes place after the Quilter's Legacy in chronological time. These were both pleasant tales, although in reading both together, there were quite a few repetitive sections. It was a light, pleasant, read with some interesting family history /traditions and quilt descriptions.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another book by Jennifer Chiaverini that is easy reading and a story that tells of family conflict and reconciliation. I like the way Jennifer gives you a hint of something in one book and fills int eh blanks in another. I'm glad I am reading these in order.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good easy read for the season but many of the stories were told in other books in the series so it felt like an awful lot of material re-hashed and very little new. I did enjoy the read but couldn't really rate higher than a couple of stars.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Quilt is the most enjoyable book in the series. It's a very detailed and interesting story that interweaves quilting into the story.

The New Year's Quilt is a very enjoyable continuation of the story.

[Linda Sulzen · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK. I did enjoy the holiday traditions, but overall not as engaging as some of her other work. In every book they make a quilt. If you are into quilting that may be of interest to you.

[Annenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally awesome read, not just about quilting but also about their family history!!

[Kay Kasiske · Rating 2 out of 5]

predictable plot revolved about sterotypical characters

[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.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

These two storied fill in blanks on Chiaverini's other Elm Creek Quilts series.

[Jaine Brieden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about family, grief, quilting and holiday tradition. Inspired me to look at the new year in a different way and be more thoughtful with any resolutions I create.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed both of these stories, but the second one was my favorite. Loved the way it ended!