Flathead quilt show to feature longstanding Tuesday Group
There’s strength in numbers, as the saying goes, and when 13 quilters get together week after week, that strength translates into beautifully crafted masterpieces.
Instead of featuring an individual as it has in the past, the Flathead Quilters Guild has chosen to showcase a group of talented women at its upcoming show. The Tuesday Group, composed of around 13 quilters, meets once a week to work on projects, bounce ideas around, and more importantly, socialize with one another. Their intricate, handcrafted works will be on display Friday, Sept. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with other vendors and guild displays during the quilt show at the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Accompanying the art will be a raffle quilt and baskets, demonstrations, speakers, and food.
The event’s purpose, according to the guild, is to keep the members inspired, encourage others to take up the beautiful art, and to simply celebrate quilting and the quilters behind each masterpiece. The event allows artists to share their love and hard work in a way that positively impacts the community. Each year, the Flathead Quilters’ Guild members vote on a charity to receive a portion of their show’s proceeds. Several members elaborated that the organizations they generally choose receive no government funding. It adds meaning to the work they so love.
This year, the chosen nonprofit is Neighbors in Need, an organization that helps those who don’t have access to basic necessities. The group also donates many of their finished pieces for use as newborn baby blankets and to suffering hospital patients.
The featured group of the show, known as the Tuesday Group, began as a group of friends within the larger quilters guild 30 years ago. They sought a smaller, more intimate space to gather and work on quilting projects with greater frequency than once a month, which is when the guild met. It began, and still is, “a friendship type of group,” one member explained. Most of the time they bring their own works to the weekly gatherings; however, on occasion, they work on group projects. Each of the dozen or so members have their own personal style, but take ideas and influence from the others.
When asked how often members of the group quilt, the collective answer was “all the time.” “Quilting is addictive,” they all agreed. Each new piece is an opportunity to try new things, learn from past mistakes and keep the mind sharp. The quilts on display at the upcoming show are a result of the 30-plus years of trial, error, and growth of the Tuesday Group, and they are excited to exhibit their final products.
“We wanted to feature them,” Shirley Barrett of the Flathead Quilters Guild concluded, “because of their extensive experience and wonderful quilts, but more than that because of their inspiring lifelong friendships.” The Tuesday Group invites you to enjoy their hard work at the “A Wee Bit Wooly” quilt show.
The Tuesday Group includes Shirley Barrett, Bonnie Coston, Lois Dawson, Vivian Eby, Mary Engel, Blanche Garrett, Terry Grimlie, Pat Holder, Katherine Johnson, Carole Kohl, Pat Linder, Jimmie Ann McLean and Adelyn Moss.
Reporter Katie Lessmeier may be reached at klessmeier@dailyinterlake.com.