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 The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical.