Rating: 
Summary: This quilt isn't Finished
Review: I found the story to be charming, enjoyable, and sometimes downright enthralling but I had a difficult time getting around some of the less dimensional lead characters. Sylvia is definitely a dimensional character - cantankerous, witty, with a past and a heart of gold. I am sorry to say I didn't find Matt and Sarah as delightful. While Sarah shows some dimension & emotion(more would be better)and improves as the story unfolds, Matt is just wooden. I feel he could have added much more to the story with more development than the prop he ends up being.This quilting aspects of the novel are wonderful, detailed, and knowledgable; as a new quilter I especially enjoyed the quilt show, club meetings and the machine vs. hand stitched rivalry. It reminded me of the hand vs. machine cross-stitch rivalry I have with some friends.
Rating:
Summary: A great start
Review: I picked up this book *after* reading "The Runaway Quilt" and I enjoyed hearing how Sylvia and Sarah met and learned about each other. As is often the case, people are often mis-understood, especially Sylvia, who left Elm Creek Manor 50 years ago. She is only back to clean out the house after her sister passed away, and has enlisted Matt's (Sarah's husband) company to do the landscaping. Sarah comes to help sort through things until she finds a "real" job. Sarah and Sylvia gradually open up to each other and we learn the true story of why Sylvia left home, never to return. What follows will bring tears to your eyes. A wonderful read, and I can't wait to read the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Awkward but good
Review: This first book in the Elm Creek series is not the best writing I've seen, but the story is fun and it's a pleasurable book. I found it difficult to put it down, and was anxious to read the next book in the series (which is better than the first, in both writing technique and style). I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves quilting and light reading!
Rating:
Summary: Quilting skills and friendship bloom together
Review: Sarah McClure is a lonely young woman who has moved to Waterford, Pennsylvania, with her husband Matt so that he can begin a new job. Sarah has had to give up her accounting job so that they could move and now she is hunting, unsuccessfully for a new one. She and Matt meet a widow, Sylvia Compson, who owns a large estate which she wants Matt to landscape so that she can put it on the market and move away. Sylvia asks Sarah to help her clean up the mansion and in return teaches her how to quilt. As the women work together, their friendship grows and Sarah discovers some unhappy secrets from Sylvia's past. Sarah becomes determined to help Sylvia reconcile with an estranged family member, and to build her own and Sylvia's future. This is an enjoyable book with lots of quilting and friendship-building.
Rating:
Summary: Cute story with historical background
Review: Ok, I don't quilt, I've always wanted to though, and I have to say that this was a really cute story. Decent story line, but what really hooked me, was the way that she weaves so much quilt history and how-to in her story. I'd definitely recommend giving Jennifer Chiaverini's books a try. I'll certainly keep my eyes open for the others that she's written in her Elm Creek series.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!!
Review: I am a quilter and a writer and I thoroughly enjoyed how Chiaverini incorporated quilting techniques/terms and the characters' story. It made me want to join a local quilt guild. Very interesting, well written and a quick read.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable as pleasure reading
Review: I liked this book because I'm a crafter myself and have not seen many books that incorporate the art of crafts into fiction. I liked the folk tales about quilt patterns and how they were woven into (no pun intended!) the story of a beautiful old estate with an interesting family history. I enjoyed the historical mixed in with the contemporary. It would have been GREAT to have some character development. We don't really get to know much about Matt and Sarah at all. Looking forward to starting the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Great Cabin Read
Review: I enjoyed the story and character lines of this book so much I am collecting the entire series for my guest room library. I live on a lake and this is a book I want to share with my guests.
Rating: 
Summary: Cardboard Characters
Review: I have been a quilter for many years. The people described in this novel do not characterize the people I have met in my experience with quilters. I found the drama flat as well as the characters. There are much better books about quilters available both fiction and non-fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: The Quilters Apprentice
Review: What a great story teller.
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