The Cross-Country Quilters [Paperback]

Jennifer Chiaverini (Author)

Book Description

Series: Elm Creek Quilts Novels | Publication Date: March 26, 2002

Julia, Megan, Donna, Grace, and Vinnie are cross-country friends who are about to begin work on a challenge quilt. A piece of fabric is divided among the women, with the understanding that the following year they will all meet at the Elm Creek Quilt Camp to sew the sections together into a single quilt. But the friends have set themselves a special challenge: no one can start working on her block until she has taken steps to solve her problems and achieve her personal goals.

Although they share a common creative objective, the Cross-Country Quilters find their friendship tested by the demands of everyday life. Yet despite differences in age, race, and background, the women's love of quilting and affection for one another unite them. The quilt they create becomes a symbol of the threads that hold their lives together-a glorious patchwork of caring and loyalty that brings home an enduring truth: Friends may be separated by great distance, but the strength of their bond can transcend any obstacle.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The third installment in the popular Elm Creek Quilts series (The Quilter's Apprentice; Round Robin) once again features an ensemble cast of women who learn the importance of friendship and sisterhood by way of their passion for quilting. This time, five women from across the country meet during a weeklong visit to Elm Creek quilting camp in rural Waterford, Pa. Craft and crises intertwine as each woman reveals her private tale of family conflict, marital woes and health concerns. Julia Merchaud is an aging soap star, at camp to acquire quilting skills she falsely claimed to possess in order to secure a film role, while renowned quilter Grace Daniels, recently diagnosed with MS, suffers quilter's block and comes to Elm Creek hoping for inspiration. Megan and Donna are e-mail buddies, both from the Midwest, meeting in person for the first time. Megan, an aerospace engineer, is a recently divorced single mom with a friendless and troubled nine-year-old son, while Donna is escaping her daughter's sudden engagement and the attendant social chores. Rounding out the bunch is happy-go-lucky octogenarian Nana, an Elm Creek veteran intent on making a match for her single grandson, Adam. After a week of bonding and binding, the five women agree to collaborate on a Challenge Quilt, in which each participant must overcome a major obstacle in her life before beginning her section of the project. When they return the following year, each problem has been resolved with ample amounts of sugar and sentiment. Endearing characters and pleasant vignettes render this series as charming and cozy as a favorite blanket. Agent, Maria Massie.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jennifer Chiaverini is the author of The Quilter's Apprentice and Round Robin. She quilts with the Mad City Quilters in her hometown.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Plume (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452283086
• ISBN-13: 978-0452283084
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,000,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer Chiaverini lives with her husband and two sons in Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to the sixteen volumes in the Elm Creek Quilts series and four books of quilt patterns inspired by the novels, she designs the Elm Creek Quilts fabric line from Red Rooster Fabrics. For more information about Jennifer, please visit her website at www.elmcreek.net .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to be a quilter to appreciate this book, April 17, 2001

By 

Mary G. Longorio "Texasbookgirl" (Eagle Mountain, UT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cross-Country Quilters (Elm Creek Quilts Series #3) (Hardcover)

The Cross Country Quilters is the first book by Jennifer Chiaverini I have read. I also know nothing about quilting. Quilting knowledge is not a prerequisit to reading and enjoying this book. Much like Julia, the newest quilter at Elm Creek Quilt Camp, I was slowly drawn into the world of material,color, and design. During a summer session of quilt camp a unlikely grouping of friends takes root, and they promise to continue their friendship through designing and completing their own block of a challange quilt. They plan to meet the following summer to piece the blocks together. The five women, Julia, Vinnie, Megan, Grace and Donna return home not only to face the challanges of the quilt blocks. They also must face the continuing challanges of their busy lives with work, family, careers, and illness. At times it seems that each woman has too much to deal with, without worrying about the planned meeting the following summer. Just as quilting combines materials which don't seem to have much in common, Jennifer Chiaverini, using the theme of quilting and friendship, intertwines these women's varied lives with warmth and believability. I look forward to reading the other books by this author.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lovely novel, March 18, 2002

By 

K. Fromal "kristinof" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cross-Country Quilters (Elm Creek Quilts Series #3) (Hardcover)

Chiaverini has again written a beautiful, heartwarming story covering the lives of friends, and how women can come together over objects they create from their own hands.

An unlikely circle of women meet at Elm Creek Manor for a week-long quilt camp. As these women begin working on various projects, they realize that they are all experiencing different stresses in their lives. The women experience illness, trouble with their children and grandchildren, and work difficulties. None are extraordinary hardships - they are what women everywhere face on a daily basis. In order to help each other with their problems, the women decide to work on a challenge quilt - however, they are not permitted to start on their square until they have addressed the problems afflicting their lives.

As the book progresses, each woman is followed on her individual journey. The stories are perhaps predictable, but are told with such loving care that the reader cannot help but find themselves cheering each of these lovely people on.

The only disappointment about Cross-Country Quilters is that little time was devoted to Elm Creek Manor itself. Through Chiaverini's last two books I have grown to love the Elm Creek Quilters, and was looking forward to reading about their latest triumphs.

Overall, Cross-Country Quilters is a wonderful read and is well-recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happily surprised, November 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cross-Country Quilters (Elm Creek Quilts Series #3) (Hardcover)

I was disappointed when I read the review of this book to find that it did not center around the original characters, but was pleasantly surprised to see how the new storyline tied in with the old. It was actually my new favorite until I read "The Runaway Quilt" (fourth in the series). I love the descriptions of the quilting in these books. They always inspire me to get back to work on my own projects! The storyline in this one made it hard to put down because I wanted to know how each quilter's dilemma was resolved. The Cross Country Quilters is a wonderful addition to this series.