A very soothing book, overall. The setting is a large old house in PA. Characters disagree about quilting techniques.Sarah uncovers a decades- old family estrangement which she hope to reconcile through the camraderie of a quilting bee.
Very enjoyable, even though I know less than nothing about quilting! ( )

When Sarah McClure and her husband, Matt, move to the small town of Waterford, Pennsylvania, to get a fresh start, Sarah struggles to find a fulfilling job. Disheartened by failed interviews, she reluctantly accepts a temporary position at Elm Creek Manor helping seventy-five-year-old Sylvia Compson prepare her family estate for sale after the recent death of Sylvia's estranged sister. As part of her compensation, Sarah is taught how to quilt by this reclusive, cantankerous master quilter.

During their lessons, Mrs. Compson slowly opens up to Sarah, sharing powerful, devastating stories of her life as a young woman on the World War II home front. Hearing tales of how Mrs. Compson's family was torn apart by tragedy, jealousy, and betrayal, Sarah is forced to confront uncomfortable truths about her own family -- truths that she has denied for far too long. As the friendship between the two women deepens, Mrs. Compson confides that although she would love to remain at her beloved family estate, Elm Creek Manor exists as a constant, unbearable reminder of her role in her family's misfortune. For Sarah, there can be no greater reward than teaching Mrs. Compson to forgive herself for her past mistakes, restoring life and joy to her cherished home.

Given to me as a late Christmas present, this is the first of the "Elm Creek" series.

Slowly but surely it tells the story of the recently married Sarah, who has moved to near Elm Creek with her husband and whilst looking for a new job, helps the owner of Elm Creek to clear the place to make it ready for sale. Sarah manages to chip away Sylvia's secret life, whilst learning how to quilt and introduce both of them into the local community. Their relationship allows them to confront the troubles in the here and now whilst making for some forgiveness of the troubles in the past. ( )

This was the first of the series & set everything up. I purchased this one & I'm glad I did. I really liked getting to know Sylvia & Sarah & the the beginning of Elm Creek Quilts. ( )

Book 1 in the long running Elm Creek Quilters Series. I have read some of these books before, maybe 10 years ago, but clearly there are some new books I need to read. Also now that I have taken up Digital Scrapbooking as a crafty hobby, and because my mother has been a Quilter for over 40 years, I can see some paralells between quilting and scrapping.

Anyway, this book being the first in a series, is the story of Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, who is about to lose her family home to the realty developers unless a way can be found to save it. Matthew McClure is hired as the landscape gardner for the house and his wife Sarah, begins to help Sylvia to clean up the house in preparation for selling.

Sylvia begins reminiscing over her family history, and as she does so, she realizes that she cannot give up her family home. BUT - she will have too if there is no way to save it. Sarah dreams up an idea to start up a Quilters camp where newbie quilters can come and learn how to quilt and pay for the privilege.

A wonderful story. I loved the history, the details of making quilts and the genealogy. The author has also published several books of Quilt block patterns as well a companion book with details about the characters and the Bergstrom family tree. I need to buy this book (Elm Creek Companion) when I can find the money!! I will be buying more books in this series when I can.

5 stars. I read this in one sitting. Excellent storytelling. ( )

Though I am not a quilter I found the history and significance of the blocks to interesting I also found the bonding of the two main characters Sarah and Sylvia which allows them to come to understand their past and appreciate their future both as friends and as individuals. A lighter read but a warm read. ( )