The Beginner's Quilt

A Lifelong Love for Quilting Starts in 1967, Arthur, Illinois

Despite the best efforts of Emma Bontrager’s mother, Emma hasn’t learned much of anything that will prepare her to be an Amish wife. Therefore, she’s sent to Arthur, Illinois, to be taught by her paternal grandmother. Though she would rather be fishing, hiking, or playing baseball, Emma finally listens to her grandmother and even finds she enjoys working on a Tree of Life quilt. Having met a nice young man, she now feels more prepared for marriage. But rumors swirl around his character, and it looks like she’ll be returning to Indiana with a broken heart. Even so, her time in Illinois has ignited a new passion for quilting that will last for years.

A stand-alone prequel to Brunstetter's bestselling The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical.

Features:

From New York Times Bestselling Author, Wanda E. Brunstetter The prequel to Brunstetter's bestselling The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical Set in 1967 Arthur, Illinois Author has strong ties to the Amish community Amish fiction that delivers life-changing inspiration Brunstetter's fiction has sold more than 14 million units

Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Published: 3/1/2026
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Trade Paperback
Size / Weight: 8.4 in H | 5.5 in W
ISBN: 9798891511590


About the Author

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than one hundred books, some translated into four languages. With nearly thirteen million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, love for God, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her late husband, Richard, raised and were blessed with two grown children. Wanda enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com .