The Cabin Fever Quilters held their 17th Annual Quilt Show, “Home Sweet Home, Montana,” on Aug. 4 and 5.

The featured quilter, Paula Bolton from Alberton, was unable to make it for the show. She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico three weeks ago. But, as the saying goes “the show must go on” and it did in fine fashion as 105 quilts lined the halls in the Superior High School, all made by members of thse quilt guild.

Bolton’s featured space near the entrance of the show had several award-winning quilts. She had spent most of her life sewing and made nearly all of her clothes for high school. She also made home décor items and furniture upholstery. Bolton even had a small business making dolls, doll clothes and children’s clothes.

She moved to Montana in 2010 with her husband and began quilting in 2011 and has spent the last several years learning about piecing and machine quilting. In Albuquerque, she said she’s looking forward to rekindling her love of painting and other art and exploring how to incorporate it into her passion for quilting, according to her biography.

Several first-place ribbons were handed out from different categories. The quilts were “People’s Choice” and voted on by everyone who came in the door. The colorful first place ribbons were made by St. Regis quilter, Della Russell. She also won first place in the “Bed Quilt-Machine Piece and Quilted by Self” category for her Norman Rockwell’s “Rosie to the Rescue” quilt.

Patricia Robinson won for her quilt made with black, reds and greens entitled, “Endurance” in the “Large Wall Hanging” category. A colorful quilt featuring various Montana scenes and animals was made by Nicki Clyde and won first place in the “2017 Round Robin” category. Entitled “Montana on my Mind,” she said in her description that the center was created when she had submitted her Giclee print of the Montana centennial postage stamp as the starter. Then the quilt was passed around to other members who added to the quilt. This one included work by Birdie Warnken, Rose Gotcher and Peggy Temple. It was quilted by Jennifer McCrae.

Other first-place winners were Rose Gotcher for her “Bed Quilt-Machine Pieced and Professionally Quilted” category; Mary Eldridge for her “Lap Quilt;” Katie Vesel for “Small Wall Hanging;” Della Russell for “Art Quilt;” “Miscellaneous/Novelty” went to Gaynelle Stamm; Birdie Warken in the “Guild Sponsored Group” quilt; Sherrill Christensen in the “Baby/Child Quilt” category; and Glordine Johnson in “Special Exhibit.”

Also, Best of Show went to Patty McRague for her “Earthtones Bargello Island Sunrise” quilt. The “Hand Quilted” category did not have any entries. There was also a quilt raffle and at 6 p.m. on Saturday the drawing was held. Andi Colson, with the Forest Service, drew with winning name and was won by Mackayla Daige from Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

Funds raised from the raffle go for quilts provided to people who have lost homes, are sick, and to the Veterans Project for Mineral County Veterans in recognition of their services to the country. They are always welcoming veterans to sign up and receive a quilt. Since the Guild’s inception they have raised nearly $38,000 for these projects.

The exhibit also had a boutique of items made and donated by members with proceeds used to fund education programs, purchase materials for donated quilts and for operating expenses. Some other quilts on display which were not in competition included a patch quilt by Glordine Johnson. She wrote a description of the pieces of denim sewed together with each square containing a meaningful patch. They came from her and her kids’ high school, from jobs, shirts, hats and military uniforms to create a true family heirloom.