The Museum of Lost Quilts - (ELM Creek Quilts) by Jennifer Chiaverini

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Jennifer Chiaverini's beloved and bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series returns with the first Elm Creek Quilts novel since 2019's The Christmas Boutique.

Summer Sullivan, the youngest founding member of Elm Creek Quilts, has spent the last two years pursuing a master's degree in history at the University of Chicago. Her unexpected return home to the celebrated quilter's retreat is met with delight but also concern from her mother, Gwen; her best friend, Sarah; master quilter Sylvia; and her other colleagues--and rightly so. Stymied by writer's block, Summer hasn't finished her thesis, and she can't graduate until she does.

Elm Creek Manor offers respite while Summer struggles to meet her extended deadline. She finds welcome distraction in organizing an exhibit of antique quilts as a fundraiser to renovate Union Hall, the 1863 Greek Revival headquarters of the Waterford Historical Society. But Summer's research uncovers startling facts about Waterford's past, prompting unsettling questions about racism, economic injustice, and political corruption within their community, past and present.

As Summer's work progresses, quilt lovers and history buffs praise the growing collection, but affronted local leaders demand that she remove all references to Waterford's troubled history. As controversy threatens the exhibit's success, Summer fears that her pursuit of the truth might cost the Waterford Historical Society their last chance to save Union Hall. Her only hope is to rally the quilting community to her cause.

The Museum of Lost Quilts is a warm and deeply moving story about the power of collective memory. With every fascinating quilt she studies, Summer finds her passion for history renewed--and discovers a promising new future for herself.

Review Quotes

"Chiaverini's twenty-second Elm Creek Quilts novel...is like a strong cup of tea--cozy yet hard-hitting--and will appeal to current fans and new readers alike." -- Booklist on The Museum of Lost Quilts

"Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first novel in her extensive Elm Creek Quilts series, Chiaverini's latest installment is rich with detail...telling the tale of a particular woman's motivation to design and craft a particular quilt. Whether inspired by love or grief, the resulting artwork is described with astonishing attention to design, workmanship, and symbolism. Chiaverini also explores how the practice of her craft transforms each woman's emotional life, each stitch bringing her closer to a sense of peace... A warm portrait of women bound by craft--perfect for fireside reading." -- Kirkus Reviews on The Christmas Boutique

"Enchanting.... The host of different characters offer their own points of view to enrich this heartwarming tale of friendships explored and history retold." -- New York Journal of Books on The Christmas Boutique

"This is an outstanding series of novels about a fascinating craft. Quilting, in the hands of Chiaverini, allows us to explore human relationships in all their complexity." -- Booklist on the Elm Creek Quilts series

"Jennifer Chiaverini has made quite a name for herself with her bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series. From the Civil War to the roaring '20s to contemporary settings, these novels have offered suspense, romance and, at times, in-depth looks into the social, political and cultural differences that helped shape a nation." -- BookPage on the Elm Creek Quilts series

"Chiaverini's themes of love, loss, and healing will resonate with many, and her characters' stories are inspiring." -- Publishers Weekly on The Giving Quilt