Mineral County Treasure: Cabin Fever Quilting Guild

In the United States, quilt making became common in the late 17th century. Only the wealthy had the leisure time for quilt making, so such quilting was done by very few people.

It’s not that the Cabin Fever Quilting Guild has leisure time to practice their art, but they do it because they are passionate, and they make the time to quilt together.

“It’s interesting that in a county this small we have a guild this dedicated! When you compare us to other organizations, it’s amazing!” said Susan Charles.

Charles has been a member since 2006.

“We have a business meeting once a month, yet we have days we get together and sew just for the companionships we have formed," Charles said. "We put on an annual show that boggles the mind. If you’ve never been to it, you’ll agree that it is amazing what a bunch of ‘little old ladies’ can do.”

However, Erin Woodson works full time at Mineral Community Hospital as Director of Administrative Services/HIPAA Officer, while raising two teenage boys with her husband and following them around with their sports and school activities.

She is also the president of Five Valley Archery in Missoula and participates in archery competitions around the state and Idaho. Woodson and her extended family all go camping together, kayaking the river, fishing and just hanging out.

She’s as busy as can be but makes time for this craft so don’t think for a second that this is only for retired grandmothers living with cats!

“I started quilting in 2011 with my mom. She took me to a couple retreats, and I said that I would never become a quilter. But the next year our friend, Peggy Floyd, brought me some fabric and her extra sewing machine and taught me how to quilt that weekend and I have been hooked ever since!” Woodson said. “I now sew quilts, embroider towels, and make couch pillows.

"I have made my sewing into a business called ‘Momma Sew Insane’ and recently purchased a Long Arm Machine planning on this becoming part of my retirement plan”.

Woodson is the featured quilter at the Cabin Fever Quilters 20th Annual Quilt Show, titled ‘Geese around the Cabin,’ which is part of the Mineral County Fair.

Something many may not realize about this guild is what they have been doing as a non-profit to give back to Mineral County.

“We support the BACKPACK program which is when a child has to be removed from an unsafe environment, we make sure an age-appropriate quilt and the necessary items are available to them,” Charles said. “We have given money to the local and school libraries and supported the music and arts programs. We have given scholarships to high school seniors.

"We have a goal of giving every Mineral County resident veteran a quilt to thank them for their service to our country and we started with the oldest before we ‘lost’ them. Our only income is membership dues and proceeds from our raffle quilt or occasional sales of quilts we have made. And some small monies from our boutique we have during the quilt show. We get a lot done on a small budget”, she said.

Members of the guild have made and donated an estimated 140 fleece throws and small quilts to nursing home residents and to law enforcement and quick responders to keep in their vehicles.

Another estimated 50 quilts were given to families who suffered personal loss and trauma due to house fires or other tragedies.

For a while, members took an unknown number of comfort quilts to leave at cancer centers in Missoula. Longtime member, Sherrill Christensen, explained where they meet, and why.

“We are ‘homeless’ in that we meet trying to accommodate members all over the county. We meet in Alberton at the Community Church; Superior at the Episcopal church; St. Regis at the Community Center and a traditional July picnic at the DeBorgia Schoolhouse," Christensen said. "Additionally, we have sew days in St. Regis and Alberton a couple times a month. Then there is a group of quilters who meet every Tuesday in St. Regis to sew together with our overall membership hovering between 37 and 40.”

For the 2021 Mineral County Fair, the actual show starts Friday morning, Aug. 6.

On that day, attendees can vote for People’s Choice for their favorites in all 13 categories, plus vote for their favorite overall quilt in the show.

Saturday is open again for all visitors and ribbons will be on the quilts to show how voting on Friday tallied. Also, on Saturday at the close of the show they will draw the winning ticket for their raffle quilt.

Every year the guild makes a quilt for the purpose of raffling that takes many hands to complete the project. The proceeds of this raffle are decided among the group and this year all of the proceeds will go to past-president, Kathleen Brown, who is facing unexpected medical issues.

For further Information or to enter a quilt call Susan at 406-396-4137 Or Leslie at 406-546-4227.