A Captivating Memoir
Publisher: Harper Horizon (October 19, 2021)
Hardcover: 240 pages
Description
Faith, family, hard work, and second chances are at the core of every great American story, and Jenny Doan’s story is just that.
In her new memoir, How to Stitch an American Dream, readers will discover the behind-the-scenes success story of the Missouri Star Quilt Company and Jenny’s remarkable journey to overcome hardship, claim the abundance of family, and ignite the power of giving—all while revitalizing a small town along the way.
Over the last decade, the Doan family business, the Missouri Star Quilt Company in tiny Hamilton, Missouri, has grown from Jenny’s corner shop–with one quilting machine and two bolts of fabric for sale in the back–to become the largest supplier of pre-cut quilting fabric in the headquarters of Jenny’s world-famous YouTube tutorial videos.
Jenny is now giving her fans, the business world, and moms of all ages (and grandmas too!) what they’ve been asking for: the full story of her journey, from her humble beginnings as a homeschooling mom, to founding MSQC in her fifties, through the remarkable success and inspiration she’s so well-known for today. In this book, you’ll learn:
- How she and her beloved husband, Ron, raised seven children on a shoestring budget— and had fun doing it;
- How, after a string of bad luck, the family made a prayer-based decision to leave California behind and start over again in rural Missouri, even though they had no place to live, no jobs lined up, and no idea how they were going to make it;
- How Jenny, Ron and their children worked side-by-side to patch together a family home out of a crumbling shell of a farmhouse;
- And how their faith, hard work, and generosity not only carried them through the hard times, but led directly to the success of the Missouri Star Quilt Company.
How to Stitch an American Dream will make you laugh, cry, say “bless your heart.”
Purchase Links
HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My Thoughts
Here is the first thing I want to make clear: this is not a book that revolves around sewing and quilting. It’s a memoir about an inspirational, caring family. It’s about a woman who lays out her past journey for us to enjoy and possibly learn from.
Those who love memoirs will no doubt want to add this book to their library. And those who are already familiar with Jenny Doan and her family will love this inside glimpse of the Doan family and their success story.
Jenny’s chapters are filled with short stories regarding her life. Some had to have been difficult for her to relate. But, as with any of us, her past helped create the strong woman she is today.
Though I’d never heard of Jenny Doan, I soon realized the town where she lives is approximately an hour from me. So as spring arrives Hamilton, MO will be the perfect road trip, especially now that I know the history behind the Missouri Star Quilt Company.
How does this family go from rags to riches? How do they seem to make the most out of what seems to be the worst? And, maybe not a concern for many, but how does she comfortably raise seven children?
It’s all in the book.
In fact, it’s only the last third to fourth of the book that talks about quilting. But, as I said, you don’t have to be interested in sewing and quilting. It’s the entrepreneurial part that will surely capture you.
My Concerns
- For those who don’t care to read about anything religious or church-related, Jenny’s faith is a big part of her life. So of course it’s included in her story.
2. I don’t want readers to skip this book because they assume it’s about quilting.
Final Thoughts
I was completely surprised that I liked this story so much. Why? She lowers her head in shame, I thought it was probably all about sewing and quilting, which I was okay with but this story was much better than I imagined. However, in my defense, I think book blurbs sometimes ruin the surprise factor. So rarely do I do more than read the title, look at the book cover, and glance (maybe) at the book blurb.
Memoir readers, if references to prayer and church don’t bother you, I highly recommend this book. And I can tell you for sure that my family is taking a road trip this spring.
My thanks to #TLCBookTours and #HarperHorizon for a copy of this book and the ability to post a review regardless of my rating.
Rating 4 STARS
About the Author
Meet Jenny Doan Youtube
Jenny Doan is a wife, mom of seven, and the founder of the Missouri Star Quilt Company, which in ten years has transformed from a way for Jenny to keep busy in her empty nest to a $100 million company with 450 employees.
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