Women of Rollins unveil 'Montana Blossoms'

Every year, the Women of Rollins Club works through the fall, winter and part of the spring to create a unique quilt, which is then displayed at various events and establishments in the Flathead and raffled at the annual fireman's barbeque in July.

The Women of Rollins took advantage of the spring temperatures to unveil their latest quilt, aptly named "Montana Blossoms," at the Rollins Community Club meeting, earlier this month.

And, while the barbeque and raffle will not take place until the last Sunday of July, the women were anxious to begin promoting it.

"It is made from 1930's reproductive fabric," Jystad said. "We used batiks the last couple of years, which were pretty vibrant colors, and this was just the opposite. We decided, instead, to do soft, spring-like colors and use old fashioned fabric from the 1930's. I wasn't sure how it was going to come out because it's such a contrast to what we've done over the last couple of years, but it came out really nice."

Montana Blossoms measures 90 inches by 110 inches, which makes it a queen size. It also features hand applique of flowers and vines around the boarder and bluebirds in the corners.

"It's kind of a happy quilt," Jystad said.

The women began working on the quilt prior to Christmas and completed it a couple of weeks ago. According to Jystad, about eight women worked on the quilt together, scheduling several workshops during which they put the center squares together and then to work on the border earlier this spring.

"I think we always have a lot of fun getting together," Jystad said. "It's always fun to do what we can. Some of the gals haven't done that much quilting, so whenever we get together, they always learn something new. One gal doesn't quilt, so she brings us lunch."

For the fourth consecutive year, the quilt committee chose machine quilter Salena Beckwith to add the final professional touches to the quilt, owing to the popularity of her work in previous years. Beckwith has been machine quilting for more than 15 years and has done so commercially for the last eight.

"We have great faith in Selena, so we just automatically call on her and trust her with the raffle quilt." Jystad said.

Beckwith said her craft actually began as a hobby and evolved into a career. Over the years, she has made a name for herself in quilting circles around the Valley. She currently operates her business, White Water Quilt Studio, out of her home in Columbia Falls, where she uses a 12-foot long professional quilting machine.

The annual quilt represents a long-standing tradition among the Rollins women, which dates back to World War II. Although it served various purposes in the past, funds collected from the raffle go to support the Rollins Volunteer Fire Dept., the Lakeside Quick Response Unit, the A.L.E.R.T. helicopter response, the food bank and other local charities.

"We kind of spread the money around," Jystad said. "We decide every year where the money will go. A lot of people buy several tickets to help out, because they know it goes for a good cause. The good news is, it only takes one ticket to win."

Raffle tickets can be purchased from the Women of Rollins Club for $1 each or six for $5.

Those who wish to view the quilt may do so at Flathead Bank in Lakeside, where the quilt will be on display.