⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I love the Elm Creek Quilt series. I’ve read them all and was excited to read this new installment. But the author almost lost me in the first few chapters as it was clunky and cumbersome. I know the author had to bring the readers unfamiliar with the Elm Creek series up to speed. I was happy I stayed with it as I enjoyed this continuation of the Elm Creek Quilts. The characters of the TV show were enjoyable and believable. Julia’s storyline from previous books like how Julia actually paid for the roof repairs, the start of the apple picking and the Cross Country Quilters answered questions from previous books.
If I wasn’t a quilter, this story weaved step by step directions for creating a quilt within the TV cast’s team building week at quilt camp. Even me, an intermediate to advanced quilter, picked up a few tips from this book. I also like how Chiaverini continued the plot line from the previous books infused into this tale. Patchwork Players is a nice addition to the Elm Creek Quilt series with bonus directions for making a quilt. Thank you NetGalley and Willam Morrow for this advanced reader's copy.
felt anxiety slipping off her shoulders as easily as removing a heavy wool coat in fair weather.
“but when change is forced upon us, we honor ourselves best by adapting and moving forward with dignity and hope.”

Julie is multi layered - simultaneously selfish and generous. And I love novels where I learn new things. Had fun looking up all the quilt patterns mentioned. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is volume 24 in the Elm Creek Quilt Camp series. Readers are introduced to the well-known television actress Julia Merchaud. She is ecstatic about landing a great part in the TV show A Patchwork Life. Julia would have to be able to quilt using the methods of the time in order to qualify for this role. So, she needed a crash course.

Julia’s agent didn't provide her with the resources needed to learn with the rest of the class, so she struggled at first. As a quilter, I was fascinated to learn how women created quilts in the past. The fact that readers joined Julia at Elm Creek Quilt Camp delighted me.

The TV show's behind-the-scenes drama piqued my interest because I have experience working in theater and films. I was unable to put this intriguing, humorous, and unique story down. Although this is the author's first book that I have read, it will not be my last. Discussing this book with your book group will be enjoyable.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

I adore the Elm Creek Quilt series and was excited to read and review its latest addition: “The Patchwork Players.”

Julia Merchaud sought assistance from the Elm Creek Quilters before to help prepare for her role on “A Patchwork Life.” However, now Elm Creek Quilters is struggling and Julia might be the one to offer an idea that will both bring money to the quilting retreat as well as extend the lifeline of Julia’s TV show.

We spend a lot of time with Summer Sullivan whose career took a detour in “The Museum of Lost Quilters.” I had to keep recalling what happened in early installments to place where this timeline of this novel would fall. I imagine Jennifer Chiaverini knows these characters so intimately that she can write them in her sleep. Fans of the Elm Creek series will relish this novel; reading it is like spending time with good friends. Newer readers might feel a bit confused about what’s going on

I am excited this book exists but not sure there is a big market for this book outside avid ECQ readers. Still, it’s a quick and fun read.

Three out of five stars.

Thanks to Net Galley, the author and publisher for a chance to read and review this novel.

This is the first book I have read in this series and it was an ARC. As far as team building exercises go this was a fun one. For me, the main character got on my nerves a little bit but then I thought about what she was feeling. Then I could understand why she was feeling this way. This is a good read and now I plan on going back and reading other books in the series. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

The Patchwork Players was a delight to read…thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Willow Morrow. Julia ,a famous movie star, has a series that includes old time quilting. Trying to save the show she includes members of the series to learn how to quilt. The rest of the story is in the book!

I received an advanced review copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on April 14, 2026! It’s another entry into the Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini. This series is probably my favorite of all time so I was thrilled to get a copy of it.

The plot concerns the cast of a popular show, A Patchwork Life, attending a quilting retreat at the Elm Creek Quilters mansion in rural Pennsylvania. Actress Julia Merchaud is the main character. The secondary characters are her co-workers on the set. The regular Elm Creek characters do not play much of a role.

I thought the beginning was slow. It was different from how earlier books in the series opened so maybe my expectations contributed to my less than ideal enjoyment of the beginning. I must admit, though, that the information we get from those early chapters was integral to the plot. It just caught me off guard.

When the story moved to the Elm Creek Quilters I became fully engaged. However, these scenes did not last long. The main character was not from Elm Creek Quilters but rather Julia Marchand. There were several new characters. All of them worked with Julia on the show. There was some mystery whether the shows 6th season would be the last. Julia was the only person who wanted the show to continue. The Elm Creek Quilters scenes constituted about half of the story.

I did not feel the usual glow after finishing an Elm Creek Quilters novel. Most of the prominent characters were new. I was hoping to reconnect with the regular Elm Creek characters but they did not have much of a role.

If you want to learn how to quilt then this book is for you. The classes that Julia’s group signed up for explained all of the basics on how to pick fabrics, including values, to sewing tips. As a lifelong quilter, I concur with their methods.

Oh dear - I didn't enjoy this book. I've read every other "Elm Creek Quilters" book and with each of the most recent reads I've become more and more disenfranchised. I think it's time to stop; there is not adequate new material to keep the series fresh.

I noticed a few and made note of these two specific errors in The Patchwork Players that were annoying to say the least and should be fairly well-known to an educated author claiming over 36 published novels. Ugh, so frustrating.

1 - LOC 1204; Labor Secretary mentioned as FLORENCE PERKINS; it's FRANCES Perkins - this mistake is embarrassing when referencing a person the author claims to be so inspirational to Lindsay. Even if this is an ARC that has not been edited, this is unforgiveable.

2- LOC 2077: Julia is going EAST on the PCH towards LA traffic = PCH runs parallel to the Pacific, meaning it is a north-south route

These factual errors detracted from the story, but the story itself was burdened with over-explanations coupled with rampant use of the word "campers" and "faculty", wordy descriptions of quilting techniques, and out of place insertions of backstory.

Julia is one of the most active and energetic 70 -year-olds I've been introduced to; but then ironic that the premise of this book is that she's "old" and worried about her continuing career. I tried to remind myself that maybe all of the over-telling about Elm Creek is an attempt to make this book a stand alone -- but it sure is repetitive for those of us who have been here from the beginning. Julia's "awful/terrible/egregious" manipulation of Lindsay's big break was weak but the quick resolution of the terrible friendship destroying decision (I will further manipulate my arch enemy's mother into getting me an in-person meeting with said enemy during which he will capitulate and reinstate the offer he rescinded) was downright ridiculous. When I finished the book, it occurred to me that the exorbitant number of words attributed to quilting technique and abject gushing about Chef Anna's marvelous culinary creations served as filler because there was no actual story to be told. And all of these things take place in the oft-mentioned middle of nowhere but within reach of a small charming town that just happens to have an arts-minded community and a college.

I will try to remember all of this when the next non-story book in this sequence is released and resist my inclination to continue my pain simply because I've invested in all the previous installations.

Two stars only because I finished it. Largely disappointed; very annoyed throughout.

If you are an Elm Creek Quilter fan, you may want to read this, but it was not as well done as previous ones. There were, however, some good quilting tips. Thanks for NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a positive review.

I had a hard time getting into this book, but I did like the book overall. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed the writing style. I do feel that there was too much emphasis on the specifics of quilting. I don’t quilt, so it wasn’t something I could relate to.

Loved this book ! So excited to again join the women of Elm Creek. This very much shows how quilter become family! Always try to help another out with quilting or another problem. Can't wait to hold in my hands and then to past on to family. Thank you!

I had a difficult time finishing this book. There were elements of the story that did not feel believable to me, specifically the main character’s not reading her emails and being surprised by the end of her show, as well as her inability to stand up for herself early on. I like the general premise of the show; but I couldn’t relate to any of the characters and didn’t feel positive toward anyone. I love this author and believe with some editing this could be a super book!

The Patchwork Players by Jennifer Chiaverini This was a very entertaining and informative in the craft of quilt making. The characters learn and share their knowledge and make an everlasting product with great memories and lessons learned. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read it.

The Patchwork Players is a truly enjoyable story told by a master storyteller. I loved the way the characters are carefully crafted to be very real people. Being "older" like the protagonist, I understand the need/desire to have things last "just a little while longer." Sometimes that is a good thing, but maybe not for all involved. The story builds to an interesting climax that seems unlikely to have a good resolution. This added a nice bit of suspense in the last third (or maybe last quarter) of the book. I found it difficult to put the book down at times. I also had a strong desire to visit the Elm Creek Quilt Retreat and learn more about both the history and craft of quilt making.
I also loved that the characters were drawn from the entertainment world and gave a glimpse of the inner workings of a television show.

I highly recommend this book. I certainly fell into the world of the Patchwork Players and enjoyed my visit there.

The cast of the Patchwork Players are at the Quilt Camp to gain some quilting knowledge and to get to know each other better. As they approach the end of their series, it becomes harder for the older star to accept that things come to an end. Are they able to overcome the differences and stay friends as their lives change.

Unfortunately, not one of her best IMHO. This episode of the Elm Creek Quilters focuses on movie star Julia Merchaud who longs to extend the quilting-based series she stars in when the other actors are ready to move on. She sets up an (obviously delightful) week at quilt camp for everyone to bond and hopefully decide they want to extend the run! For me, however, the story was a little more saccharine than most and there was far too much description of exactly how to do every stage of quilting for beginners. An experienced quilter doesn't need to read all of that and for a beginning or non-quilter, written descriptions are simply too difficult to follow -- especially when you could go on you tube and *watch* how it works. So although there was plenty of the heartwarming interactions we've come to expect from the series and a (very) little bit of quilting history which I always enjoy, it really just didn't do it for me.

I won't post on my blog as it isn't a very favorable review.