Missouri Star Quilting Company: Meet The Family That Built A Quilting Empire By Accident | Forbes 

This is a terrific story of a the renaissance of a town.

I love this video. My husband and I took over a family business in 1984, a jewelry store. We were 24 years old. My in laws opened the store in 1959. I think it might be the oldest business in our little town. By God’s grace we will be celebrating 60 years next year. Congratulations. I’m sure you will be celebrating your 100 years in business because of your strong family values. Thanks for inspiring me.

I was there in May. I took a letter from my 9 year old granddaughter and gave it to Jenny. She promptly said, "Let's make her a video"!! I was ecstatic and Mariah was so excited she fainted when she saw it. That's the effect Jenny has on people. I encourage everyone to go....you won't regret it.

We are all so happy this worked out for the Doan family! I hope to visit someday soon!

Your tutorials are magic! What looks impossible on the display wall behind Jenny is shown to be simple and manageable by her teaching. What a gift. Thanks!

Totally Awesome! I just met Jenny on May 18th at Fabric Depot in Portland Oregon. She is such a nice person. She made MSQC what it is today by her kind, friendly, loving, patient, sweet, real personality. Of course you have to give credit to her family especially her husband who was right there with her supporting and helping her at the show. But the great business minds of her family that are making this machine work is amazing. Jenny told us at the show that they now employ 450 people. I started watching her in 2014. I think back then she said they employed 80. What a great boost to Hamilton. Jenny is the Rock Star of the Quilting World in my book.

Congratulations on this feature! Well deserved! I’m a Puertorican in Texas and a few years ago I saw Miss Jenny Doan at The Quilt Festival and this lady Always has a smile on her face, her booth was packed, everyone wanted a selfie, an autograph and she was as sweet as can be! Thanks for being such an inspiration and for sharing your knowledge with us.💕

Going to Hamilton is on my bucket list too. I hope to go on a road trip next summer. The impact of MSQC goes far beyond Hamilton and quilting. Travelling to the US Midwest has never been on my list of places to go, but because of MSQC, I will be travelling through at least 12 different states on my way there and back. Each of those states will receive an economic benefit from my buying food, fuel and accommodations. Plus I will try to stop at quilt shops along the way.And as a Canadian, those dollars are coming from outside the country, not a redistribution of funds within the USA.Jenny is one of the most personable quilters online. Watching the videos feels like having a conversation with a great friend or favourite Aunt. I think that is what makes the videos so great, Jenny is having a conversation with the viewer, she is not giving a lecture. I can imagine she is a wonderful story teller to her grandchildren.

What an amazing story! What Jenny said at the end is so true. Giving away something you made with your heart changes you. I’ve always given away my art from the beginning but to know someone else is going to love it as much or more than I do, that’s a gift to me. I grew up having not a lot and I still don’t but that’s not going to stop me from giving others all I have. Jenny you inspired me to start quilting with very basic knowledge of sewing. Thank you with all my heart ❤️

We took a family trip last summer and purposely stopped at MSQC. We got out of the car and my son, who was three at the time, loudly says “Is this Jenny’s place?!” ❤️. Working on getting there again in the future.

I happened across Missouri Star Quilting when an unsolicited catalog came. I wasted no time getting to the web site. I have been ordering ever since. The staff is great, and Jenny’s tutorials are inspirational. She takes complex quilting patterns and simplifies them. I love MSQ and I hope one day to get there.

I love Jenny, such a kind woman

I have learned a lot from Jenny. I didn't know this was how she got started. It's beautiful how something you love can bring so much knowledge and love to everyone. I made my first quilt a couple of years ago for my daughter from watching Jenny and so many others. Thank you so much.

Jenny, you taught me to quilt also. My mom was a great seamstress but lived in another city. I came across your tuts on RU-vid around 7 years ago and my quiltiness took off from there. I’m still watching and learning from Missouri Star Quilt Co. so thank you, your family and staff for a job well done.

I flew to Omaha last year from Boise Idaho to visit a girlfriend. We then drove to Hamilton to visit all your stores and stock up. it was great. I watch all your tutorial. Even as a seasoned quilter, I learned lots. I also get lots of ideas. You touch somany lives. I just finished thec3 Barbie quilts from the panels and cakes and jelly rolls I bought from you. Now I need to longarm them for my 3 chitlins.

💖 I have been quilting for over 30 years and still love learning something new. Thank you Jenny for being fun and informative 💖

I love watching Jenny... I love ordering from their site too. Great products and fast shipping.

I love Jenny, she has taught me sooo much. I was ready to stop quilting and the other quilt tutorials do not want to share the quilt instructions, it is buy buy buy. Well if I buy the pattern and find out I don’t have the supplies, or it will cost too much, backside material and really blow a budget. I have 5 quilts waiting for backing then to be quilted. Oh I had wished for a long arm machine, but that’s impossible. We are both reaching retirement, I retired many many moons ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer, I beat it, doctors were telling me to go home and make funeral arrangements and I prayed and prayed, watched comedies, but the nasty chemo damaged my heart, so I have a defibrillator and I mouth is very very sensitive- no salt or spice, mostly I can’t tell what I am eating, no taste. I have very bad dry mouth, which I use biotene gel several times a day. So Jenny you are a big part of my medicine, you keep me going. I have a list of quilts I would love to make but I have changed colors, sizes, etc.... so when I explain my vision people look at me as if I am crazy, but after the top piece is finished they see it and finally agree my color choices were right on. For instance the bordered 9 patch in the 4 outside corners I used a emerald green, looks great. So Jenny keep me Alive . Thank you 🙏

Thank you from Australia for all the amazing tutorials that Jenny has presented. I have learnt so much. It is now too expensive to buy from your store - what with the AU$ conversion and now our GST tax. So disappointing. But there will still probably be times when I find something so special that I just go ahead and order it. Love to you all.

What an amazing business. MaasyaaAllah 😍

Went 2 years ago & had so much fun. Only thing that would have made it better ....if I had gotten to meet Jenny. Going back this summer. Can’t wait!

Love Jenny and her mum tutorials. Inspirational, thankyou Jenny and family. What an amazing story!

I have been twice and will go again! There is so much to see and I am always so inspired! Love the tutorials and she is a fabulous teacher! Thank you for recognizing what they have to revive their small town and allowing it to live and not die off like so many others.

My favorite tutorial is not for one of your inspiring and unique quilt tops, nope, it's for pillowcases. When I need a thoughtful gift to cheer up a friend in chemo or to send to a young adult far from home, I turn on your tutorial and grab the brightest colors in my stash. Thank you for sharing your gift for making others feel loved.

I am on the computer Jenny learning from your videos. You inspire me for many quilting projects. I love to learn even though I am slow, it makes me happy. thank you.

I learned so much because of these video's. every time I'm working on a quilt it makes me feel happy. Thank you Jenny and MSCQ-team for making this possible.

Jenny taught me making quilts. I love it and I love her.

Visiting MSQC is on my bucket list! Incredible story that we all get to share in!

Yes this is so fantastic what you have done

I just LOVE Jenny's videos! I wish I could meet her and give her a hug.

Jenny was the first person I watched that got me interested in quilt making. I only stumbled across her by accident.

I have learned so much from Jenny. I was a complete beginner a year ago and came across her channel by accident. She is amazing and her tutorials are easy to understand and once I finished my first block I had the confidence to try another and then another, all the time with Jenny's (online) help. The best mistake I have ever made!

All of them, but I love the look of Dream Weaver, Two Step, and Summer School. I can't wait to be able to come visit some day! I love Jenny and all the tutorials!

Jenny is my weekly addiction, don’t you ever stop Jenny

I’m gonna make it there some day!

I would love to come visit the store. It would be nice to meet Ms Jenny and see her quilts.

It’s my dream to one day go to Hamilton, Mo.

Hi Jenny !!!!!from England x quilting is NOT something I would have looked at but you made it look easy !! You’re easy going nature and just go for it attitude made me have ! a go ! Thank you so much xxx I just love it maybe slightly addicted

Beau reportage merci

Excellent video. I, too, have learned EVERYTHING about quilting from Missouri quilt. Love it.

Love Jenny!!!!!! 🌻💕🌻💕💕

Your an awesome family! We love you.

HI Jenny, I really love your videos and watch you sew different projects all the time, but I haven't seen you make a dust cover for a serger. Would you please do a video for one? Thank you so much and I look forward to seeing your next projects. Thanks

Thank you Jenny!

Los felicito por ser tan profecionales y compartir con sus admiradores un abrazo con todo mi cariño desde mi Colombia

I haven't been there yet, but definitely on my bucket list! I love her videos.

Love your program, I’m fairly new to quilting and I’m learning from your program. Our program motivates me.

Jenny I have learned so much from you and gave me some ideals too

I love to watch your tutorials and learned sooooo much from you. Thank you for the inspiration but most of all thank you to show patchwork can be fun and one doesn't have to be afraid of going different ways in our beloved hobby. I whish you all that God may bless you every day.

I am in UK, it's my dream to visit Hamilton. I have a saving plan!

Jenny, along with MSQC, revolutionized quilting by making it accessible and “cool”.

Patricia Tate Australia. Love your tutorials Jenny. You do a spectacular job in making quilting look so easy. Thankyou.

I love your videos and get excited when I see a new notification pop up with another Of your videos. My favorite one is Summer in the Park

Je vous adore merci pour tout

Show Jordan doing the Chevron Runner

Someday i will be there ❤️❤️

Me and my mom have been watching u on facebook for the past year and we want to start doing the quilt of the month but dont know how to get the kits and work them with you and your girls

Where is the tutorial for the quilt at the end of the video Jenny? I love, love, love your tutorials.

From a drop of water a pond is reborn and from that pond all else will flow

This is so inspiring to me 😊

Awesome!

Amazing!

Hi, I am new to quilting. I just started my first project and now am thinking about my next one. I need your advice please. I want to make a quilt for my son and his fiancé as a wedding gift. I would like to make it in white and cream colors. Can I mix fabrics like silk, cotton, linen and other types of fabrics in one quilt? Could you advise me as to which are the best fabrics to use together for a project like this? Thank you.

So whats a dye?

Hi I love watching your shows. Please can you tell me what you call the thing that your iron sits on. Thanks tracey Minton

Thank you Forbes for recognizing the Queen of Quilting of the 21st century! Many of us got our start because of Jenny!!

I've been to Hamilton twice and met Jenny the first time. I met her outside the original main shop and promptly burst into tears because I was THAT excited! Jenny is as nice in person as she is online. I felt like I was meeting a movie star! I would love to go again. If you can go, don't wait. JUST GO! You will love it!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LOVELY COUPLE. I AM A BIG FAN OF YOURS (FROM FRANCE). I HAVE LEARNT SO MUCH FROM YOUR HUMBLE VIDEOS. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT QUILTING ACTUALLY WAS UNTIL I "ACCIDENTALLY" HAPPENED TO FALL UPON YOUR VIDEOS. WOWWW FABRIC AND THE CHOICE WAS ENORMOUS. ! DON'T KNOW TO SEW, I AM AN ADDICTED CRAFTER. MADE MY FIRST DRESDEN BAG. BOUGHT ALL THE NECESSARY TOOLS AND FABRIC AND NOW MY COLLECTION HAS OVERGROWN. MY 45 YEAR BROTHER ELECTRONIC SEWING MACHINE DOES MORE FOR ME OTHER THAN SEWING SHIRTS FOR MY SON AND MY TEENY GRANDSON. THANKYOU FOR BRINGING LIGHT INTO MY HEART. THANKS FOR SHARING AND CARING.💕💕💕

Thank u, Jenny, for all your tutorials. Sewing has healed my heart.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever envision myself quilting! But I fell in love with the MSQ videos and Jenny. I’d watch for hours! I loved how she explained techniques. I am proud to say this beginner just finished my first quilt. Thank you Jenny!

Just goes to show you that God will put you where he wants you to be. What a loving and thoughtful family. Keep it going!!! Brenda from N Texas.

I would love to sell my house and move to Hamilton, MO and work for Jenny

My wife has been following MS for yrs buying and making quilts with their supplies on her quilting frame. Wonderful experience for me to watch her learn and grow from their video's. We will be going to see them in Hamilton this year. Thank you Jenny and family :-)

If you're a quilter you know who Jenny is and you LOVE her! I've been watching her tutorials for at least 6 or 7 years now and she puts a new one out every Friday at midnight, I never miss one. ❤️

And it all starts with a piece of Fabric in each quilters choice and magically becomes a piece of one’s heart and soul. Thank you Jenny.

You're always such an inspiration Jenny. Thankyou

My family is actually from Milan, MO which is about an hour north from Hamilton. My grandfather was one of the sewers in my family that was teaching me things before his passing in 2011. Now I am the only one in my immediate family (and the youngest) that is still quilting. Ironically I came across the Missouri Star Quilt Company's channel shortly after he passed and I instantly loved the tutorials. When I found out that I drive by Hamilton every time I go back home I knew I had to stop by the shop, which I was able to just last week. Gosh I had no idea how expansive their store was and I was just tickled pink when I got there! I am just so glad that I found their RU-vid channel and that its so close to home. It honestly makes me feel like I am part of the company/family in a quilters sense and can lean on them for advice, something I cannot get in my family or even in the town that I live.

I love Jenny and her tutorials are wonderful. I have learned so many things from her. She is a gem and hope she continues her teaching for a long time. Love you Jenny!

Why Jenny Doan hasn't been snatched up and made a TV star is a mystery to me. Her videos are amazing! (C'mon CreateTV...get on this!)

I also have learned so much from Jenny, I started quilting when I retired and had no idea where to start; cutting everything out by hand etc. Have recommended your website to many newbies.

I love Jenny Doan. She made quilting possible for me. Something I always wanted to be able to do, but could never figure out, was suddenly possible. And it has enriched my life and the lives of those that I’ve been able to give to. Quilting is so much more than fabric and a sewing machine and thread. I would LOVE to go to their quilt shops, (heaven on earth), but until then I will continue to order directly from their fabulous website (missouriquiltco.com).

Is there a train route close by?

I am so impressed in what the Doans family has built from nothing. I love Jenny's videos, you can see how much passion she has for quilting and how much she wants to help.

BRAVO for the Doan children and family! Watching the journey has been/is awe inspiring! Thank you Doan family and MSQC family for continuing the legacy. You are my "go to" when teaching others how to sew/quilt as a premiere resource for their journey forward. Thank you for your generosity of knowledge and spirit!

Jenny your Thank you to us, your quilting family, brought tears to my eyes. You are totally devoted to your craft. WE cannot thank you enough for the 10 years you have given us. Bless you & yours forever.

Love Jenny!!! I have learned so much from her!!! Thank you Jenny for all you do and teach us!!

That's one place that I would really like to go hopefully one day I will get to see it

Being at Missouri Star was definitely one of the highlights of my quilting life! Jenny and Ron were such gracious hosts of a great lecture and meet and greet.

Jenny is amazing

The wonderful thing to me is watching Jenny's tutorials. Thank you.

On my bucket list!!

Hi Jenny from Melbourne Australia. Thank you for your fabulous demos. They are so easy to follow. I look forward to them and love trying new things. God bless Margaret

Love the video, but I’m curious about something. Does this mean MSQC won the Forbes contest? I never actually heard who the winner was. Just remember voting every day, for what seemed like months, hoping Jenny and her family would get the recognition they truly deserve!

What an amazing family.

I love watching Jenny's videos. I taught myself how to sew by watching her videos. She is a wonderful teacher :)

My grand parents and other ancestors are from Hamilton, Polo, Cameron, Gallitan areas! I've been to the stores. I only had a day and it wasn't enough time. So precious what has been done!

Not only have younger generations discovered quilting and other potentially lost arts and crafts, but the world of technology has helped us to keep those arts and crafts thriving once again. The years I spent working kept me tech savvy - but also very busy - so that now that I am retired, I can finally devote time to both the crafts I already know and improving those crafts, but also to learning new ones, thanks to computers, the Internet, and people like Jenny! So, yes, Jenny, people “your age” will definitely get on their computers and seek out the knowledge that you are willing to dispense to the world and we love you for it!

greetings from JORDAN ( the middle east ) ... i start learning to quilt from your tutorial videos ... may be i will have the chance to visit your country some day and see you in person .... great family

We were there in March......LOVED all your shops....so much fun to see everything...I’m new to quilting....I was so excited...I love learning from you.....

I love sewing, making things for family and friends. I have a lot to learn. I love looking for new ideas for quilts but I am new to watching tutorials. I came across one of Jenny's tutorials a few months ago and now I specifically look for her tutorials. She is a 'real' person- open and obviously full of joy. I have enjoyed the above 'movie' to learn how it all began. Thank you .