Quilt Guild shares handiwork with local veterans

The Cabin Fever Quilt Guild was organized in 2001 and not long after that, it became a 501(C)3 with membership today of around 40 quilters in Alberton, Superior, St. Regis and the west end of the county.

The group is probably best known for its annual quilt show that is held in conjunction with the Mineral County Fair, taking over much if the first floor of Superior High School. At this event, the guild features one of its own as Quilter of the Year who receives this award from the membership vote. 

The guild also raffles a large quilt that generates money that is distributed to many groups in the county, but today the proceeds are dedicated to all three schools for either industrial or fine arts. 

“Our purpose is to encourage quilting, to share talents, ideas and to teach the skills to those who want to learn,” shared Nicki Clyde on Saturday at the St. Regis Community Center. “Since the guilds inception, we have hosted workshops given by such nationally known quilters as Kim Diehl and Edyta Sitar.” 

Clyde and several members were having a monthly quilting day where they socialize, quilt and in many cases work together on quilt projects that require more than a single quilter to complete.

Over the years the guild has also shared its beautiful skillful handiwork with members of the communities. At different times they have been placing small comfort quilts in law enforcement vehicles and QRU (Quick Response Units) to be used as first responders see fit for their need in emergency situations. 

A handmade quilt at a tragic accident site can, and has, lessened tension and terror. They have donated quilts to cancer centers in Missoula and given them freely to those who have lost their homes to a fire or others suffering through a devastating event. 

A Backpack 4 Kids program once maintained an inventory of over 40 backpacks for children going into foster care which included a toy, books, personal care items and a small quilt from the Cabin Fever Quilters.

On this day, however, several veterans were contacted to come by as the guild wanted to present them with a quilt of their choosing from many laid out as a "thank you for your service" gesture. 

“This has been our largest endeavor,” said Clyde. “When we made the decision sometime around 2010, it was to give a quilt to every World War II veteran. That’s how it started and then as so many passed away, we included Korea and Vietnam Veterans but now it is for every veteran that served in the US Military as we want everyone to receive a quilt from us,” she beamed. Stacker.com reports that Mineral County has the 4th largest percentage of veterans in Montana, standing at 515. Veterans by war: World War II - 0. Korea – 41. Vietnam – 219. Gulf War (08/1990 to 09/201) – 97. Gulf War (09/202 or later) – 49.

Over 300 quilts have been awarded to veterans, and they continue to look for those in Mineral County that haven’t received one as these gals are determined that every vet will have one, eventually. 

Those that came by were humbled and appreciative of this gift. Daniel Kulawinski, Pelham Turner, Carl Robinson, Chris Kemp, John Engler, Chris Curtis, David Henrick and Fred Hollon are the latest batch of veterans. Clyde is asking for other veterans or family members to call her at 406-239-8781.

Once a month the entire guild meets for an all-day-sew but then unscheduled and sometimes unexpected quilting days pop up for more fun and work. 

“The quilters in the west end get together in the Old DeBoria School like we’re doing here today,” said Della Russell. “And those in the Alberton area meet someplace, too, as so many prefer not to drive that long of distance especially this time of year.”

If there was an elephant in the room, it would have been: No guys? Why not? And the ladies laughed and said they are more than welcome to join and quilt, but so far none have expressed interest.