I'm not a quilter so I'd never heard of Missouri Star Quilt Company. That didn't affect my enjoyment of this book which is a real 'rags to riches' story. It's the story of Jenny Doan who went from being an abused mother of two to being the mother of seven and the owner of a quilt company that makes over $50 million a year. Her story is one of faith and hard work and she is now known as a star in the quilter's world.

When Jenny left her first marriage, she was the mother of one with a second child on the way. She had endured both physical and mental abuse and left with nothing. Life was hard for her and the children as she struggled to make ends meet. After she met Ron, her second husband, they still struggled financially but they were happy and they kept their family happy even as it grew to seven children. She talks a lot in her book about what she did to make ends meet and feed her children. She and Ron moved several times, usually to a dilapidated house that needed renovation but through prayer and a strong belief that God answers all prayer, they managed their lives. When God told them to move to Missouri, where they didn't know anyone, they listened to him and moved. In 2008, Jenny started the company. At first she just gave you-tube tutorials to quilters and then she began storing supplies for quilters and now it is the main go-to place for quilters,

Missouri Star Quilt's annual revenues are $10-$50 million and has over 400 employees and has revitalized the small town of Hamilton, Missouri now known as the Quilt Town, USA. ( )

Quilting is Love

How to Stitch an American Dream is not just a book about one person or a company, but about a family of crafters passing down a legacy of self-starters. Jenny Doan, the creator of the now famous Missouri Star Quilt Company, has made quilting fun and accessible to quilters of all skill sets.

How does a useful hobby become a successful business? Work hard at what makes you happy. Filled with kindness and wisdom, Jenny’s story encourages readers to learn from life. This story is not easy, and like quilting, it takes a lot of small ideas stitched together, and doesn’t always turn out according to plan. This fluid story format does read like a biography, and has a slower more meandering writing feel. With more emphasis on Jenny and her family, with quilting toward the end.

All of Jenny’s life stories lead up to a remarkable family and business. Her strong faith has gotten her through many challenges in her life, and her strong spirit has help her overcome them. She found community when she needed it the most, and now tries to share that experience with others. It’s nice to read parts in Ron’s perspective as well. The little bits of quilting history are very interesting to read, including a few yummy recipes at the end of the book. This is an honest look into the creation of Missouri Star Quilt Company, and a great book for fans. ( )