Anna’s Kitchen

Book(s): The Quilter’s Kitchen, Traditions from Elm Creek Quilts

“Anna’s Kitchen,” uses fabrics from Jennifer's “Elm Creek Quilts: The Quilter’s Kitchen” fabric line from Red Rooster and was inspired by the cover art and endpaper blocks from The Quilter’s Kitchen.

Pieced and appliquéd by Jennifer Chiaverini. Quilted by Sue Vollbrecht.

In The Quilter’s Kitchen, Master Quilter and founding Elm Creek Quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson Cooper shares the stage with newcomer Anna Del Maso, recently hired as the head chef of Elm Creek Quilt Camp. Elm Creek Manor was built in 1858, and when Anna saw the kitchen for the first time during her job interview, she was dismayed to discover that it looked every year of its age. Fortunately, Sylvia agreed that the kitchen was long overdue for an upgrade, and with camp over for the summer, the contractors are ready to begin. Sylvia and Anna must clear out the cabinets and cupboards, sorting useful items from clutter that should have been thrown out long ago. As they do, they discover cherished Bergstrom family heirlooms—an old gingham tablecloth, Great-Aunt Lydia’s feedsack aprons, a cornucopia made by Sylvia’s sister, Sylvia’s mother’s favorite serving dish—and each unearthed treasure stirs Sylvia’s memory. Special occasions Sylvia recalls include not only holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving, but also days memorable to residents of Elm Creek Manor from generations past—the annual harvest dances that brought the community together before the Second World War, the family picnics, the potlucks shared with friends and neighbors.At the end of the novel, Anna and Sylvia decide to preserve what remains of Great Aunt Lydia’s feedsack apron collection by piecing together its scraps into a charming wall hanging quilt to adorn a wall of the newly remodeled kitchen.