Stitched Quilt Shop, Racine Art Museum and Hotel Verdant partner
to bring the author of Stitched to Racine on October 24
New York Times bestselling author Eli McCann, whose novel Stitched blends
competitive quilting, unlikely friendships, humor and found family, will visit Racine on Saturday, October 24, for a special
series of three free events presented by Stitched Quilt Shop, Racine Art Museum (RAM), and Hotel Verdant.
The one-day collaboration will offer three distinct opportunities to hear from McCann, learn more about the story and
creative process behind his breakout novel, and explore the connections among storytelling, art, making and
community.
Published in September by Torrey House Press, Stitched debuted at No. 5 on The New York Times paperback trade
fiction bestseller list in September. Set in Utah, the novel follows members of the Ogden Quilters Association as they
prepare for a major quilting competition, welcome two young gay men into their circle, and discover that friendship and
community can take unexpected forms.
“Eli has written a book that understands something we experience every day at Stitched: that making things together is
rarely just about the thing we’re making,” said Autumn Latimore, owner of Stitched Quilt Shop. “It’s about friendship,
belonging, laughter, stories, and the people who find their way to one another. We knew we wanted to bring Eli to
Racine, and having RAM and Hotel Verdant partner with us allows us to create an entire day around those ideas.”
For Racine Art Museum, McCann’s visit creates a timely connection between literature and the visual storytelling
explored in Stitched Stories: Narrative Quilts and Textiles, an exhibition at RAM Wustum.
“Textiles have always carried stories — about individuals, families, communities and the places we call home,” said Robb
Woulfe, Executive Director of Racine Art Museum. “Eli’s Stitched gives us another wonderful way to explore that
relationship between making and storytelling. Pairing his visit with Stitched Stories — on display at RAM Wustum —
creates an opportunity for people to experience those ideas across art forms, and we’re delighted to be part of bringing
that conversation to Racine.”
Hotel Verdant will host the day’s culminating public event, extending the collaboration into the heart of downtown
Racine.
“Hotel Verdant was created to be a place where Racine comes together and where visitors can experience the best of
our community,” said Michael Godfrey of Dominion Properties and Hotel Verdant. “Eli McCann’s visit is a wonderful
example of what can happen when downtown businesses and cultural organizations work together. We’re proud to
partner with Stitched and Racine Art Museum to welcome Eli to Racine and give people another reason to experience
everything our downtown has to offer.”
THREE EVENTS, ONE DAY
Morning | RAM Downtown 10:30 am
RAM Downtown will host an opportunity to hear from McCann and learn more about his creative process in conjunction
with an exhibition currently on view at the museum’s other campus, RAM Wustum. Stitched Stories: Narrative Quilts and
Textiles draws from RAM’s collection to explore the many ways artists use quilted, woven and embroidered textiles to
convey meaning and tell stories.
Afternoon | Stitched Quilt Shop 2-3:30 pm
McCann will meet makers and readers at Stitched Quilt Shop for a more intimate, specially curated event celebrating the
connections among books, textiles and making. Guests can expect conversation with the author and a few surprise
goodies created especially for the occasion.
Evening | Hotel Verdant 6-8 pm
The day culminates with a public evening event at Hotel Verdant in downtown Racine. Guests are encouraged to make
an evening of it—enjoy dinner downtown before hearing McCann read from Stitched, participate in a live Q&A and have
books signed by the author. Following the program, guests are invited to continue the evening at Eave, Hotel Verdant’s
rooftop gathering space.
All three events are free, but advance registration is required, and space is limited.
Registration and additional event information are available at stitchedquiltshop.com and at ramart.org
ABOUT ELI McCANN
Eli McCann is a Salt Lake City-based writer, lawyer and podcaster and the author of the New York Times bestselling
debut novel Stitched. He writes a monthly humor column for The Salt Lake Tribune, exploring cultural and religious ideas
through his own experiences. Since 2016, he has produced and co-hosted Strangerville, a storytelling podcast and live
storytelling show. His writing and storytelling have been featured by The Washington Post, Newsweek, HuffPost, BBC
and other outlets. McCann lives in Salt Lake City with his husband and son.
ABOUT STITCHED
Published by Torrey House Press, Stitched is a warm and humorous novel about competitive quilting, unlikely friendships
and found family. When a major quilting competition comes to Utah, members of the Ogden Quilters Association
welcome two young gay men into their circle as they race to create an award-worthy entry and defeat their longtime
rivals. What begins as a quilting competition becomes a story about belonging, friendship and the communities people
create for themselves.
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
ABOUT HOTEL VERDANT
Located on Monument Square in the heart of downtown Racine, Hotel Verdant is a contemporary boutique hotel
created through the adaptive reuse of the historic former Zahn’s Department Store building. The LEED Gold-certified
property combines hospitality, sustainability and a connection to Racine’s history and community, with guest rooms and
suites, gathering and event spaces, Marguerite restaurant and Eave, its indoor-outdoor rooftop bar.
ABOUT RACINE ART MUSEUM
Racine Art Museum (RAM) is an accredited, two-campus museum in Racine, Wisconsin—a historic community along
Lake Michigan. Working at the intersection of contemporary, craft, design, and community making, RAM holds the
largest contemporary craft collection in North America and is nationally recognized for its exhibitions, studio art
program, and multidisciplinary initiatives.
RAM Downtown is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am – 4pm, with extended hours on Thursday until 8pm, and
Sunday from 12pm – 4pm. RAM Wustum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am – 4pm.
Admission to RAM Downtown is free for Racine County residents with valid ID; general admission applies for non-
residents. Admission to RAM Wustum is free for all visitors. Select special exhibitions and events may require separate
admission, except for RAM members.
ABOUT STITCHED QUILT SHOP
Located in the heart of downtown Racine, Stitched Quilt Shop is an independent quilt and fiber arts shop built around
the belief that making creates connection. Founded by Autumn Latimore in 2025, Stitched offers a thoughtfully curated
mix of quilting, embroidery, cross stitch and wool supplies, along with classes, clubs and experiences designed to
welcome both longtime makers and people just beginning their creative journeys.
Modern and colorful with a hat tip to tradition, Stitched is more than a place to buy fabric—it is a gathering place for
makers and textile storytellers. Its philosophy is simple: The fabric is just the souvenir of the experience of Stitched.
Stitched celebrates its first anniversary in November 2026 and was awarded Best Small Business in Downtown Racine
2025 by Downtown Racine Corporation shortly after opening.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Eli McCann, author of the New York Times bestseller Stitched, in Racine
WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 2026
WHERE: RAM Downtown (10:30 am), Stitched Quilt Shop (2 pm), and Hotel Verdant (6 pm)
COST: Free; advance registration required
REGISTRATION: stitchedquiltshop.com and ramart.org