Book: Maybelle in Stitches

Maybelle In Stitches

Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.

Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

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I've really enjoyed reading all these books centered around quilts.  Quilts truly do tell stories and I love the few that I have in my home!

This one is the story of the support of friends through finishing a quilt.  Each of the friends' stories becomes a part of the quilt as well.

I didn't feel like this story was as tightly written as some I've read.  The dialogue was confusing at times and some of the details were kind of random.  That being said, the premise of the story was quite interesting.  Set during WWII and a woman who works in a factory setting while her husband is away at war.  Most of the stories you read during this time period are actually about the war or spies or something like that.  So it was a fresh perspective and I think the author did her homework in giving us details about rationing, factory work, etc.

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If you would like to read the first chapter of Maybelle In Stitches, go HERE.


A word from Joyce Magnin:

I am the author of seven novels. Five adult novels and two middle grade readers. I never wanted to do anything else but write and every day I wake up astonished that I get to do what I always dreamed about. My days are filled with words and images along with the usual family stuff. I have three children, Rebekah who is married to Joshua. They have three of the most adorable boys on the planet, Lemuel, Cedar and Soren. My daughter Emily Kate is a lovely young woman anthropologist and my son Adam is fourteen and a student--he's a genius who loves frogs and lizards and fish and plants. He amazes me.

I have never eaten a scallop. I love cream soda. Drink way too much coffee. I do not like elevators but I do enjoy needle arts and of course books. I prefer jazz over country (no offense), milk chocolate over dark, but not roller coasters although my life has often resembled a roller coaster ride.

One of my life's desires is to meet Amy Grant so I can tell her she saved my life.