Stitched

 Stitched by Eli McCann. Torrey House Press, 2026. 280 pages. September 2026 Publication. ***

From Amazon...

Betty Lou Dearden has been a member of the Ogden Quilters Association for more than twenty years when it is announced that the biggest quilting competition in the country is coming to Utah. With the clock ticking and a chance to finally beat their long-time rival quilting circle, the women welcome two young gay men to their group as they bicker their way to an award-worthy entry. With disarming humor and extraordinary heart, Eli McCann takes readers deep into the cozy but cutthroat world of competitive quilting and the sometimes-messy friendships that shape our lives.

I was really excited to get a copy to review. As a member of two Quilt Guilds, I couldn't wait for a light-hearted, funny read. There are many humorous moments, and I loved the addition of two gay men into their quilting group. However, in my limited experience, I felt that the cutthroat competition and nastiness was overdone. Perhaps our family members who must listen to our many fabric acquisition stories and complaints about fellow guild members may find the show preparation humorous. It could be my mood, some of the story seems stereotypical, sad, and did not adequately portray the friendships and caring in my quilt guilds. You'll have to read this one to decide for yourself. 

Eli McCann is a writer, podcaster, and lawyer. In his monthly humor column for The Salt Lake Tribune, he writes about growing up with (and leaving behind) the Mormon faith, coming out in adulthood, and parenting a toddler. He co-hosts Strangerville, a storytelling podcast and live show, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, Newsweek, HuffPost, and the BBC. He lives with his husband and son in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

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