'Story Quilt Project' at the Little Theater in Libby

Tender Lovin’ Quilters of Troy are happy to announce the presentation of the “Story Quilt Project.” This program is free to the public and will be presented on Sept. 9-10 from 1-3 p.m. at the Little Theater in Libby, Mont.

These dates have been chosen to coincide with the Kootenai Valley Quilt Guild’s annual quilt show being held on the same dates, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Heritage Center, with the mindset that the two events complement one another.

Jean Wakely is a public speaker, storyteller, author and curator of the “Story Quilt Project.” Her mother’s award-winning quilts contain collections of stories based on autobiographical and historical events. She travels the country sharing her quilts and quilt stories that inspire audiences to laugh and cry. Her programs are interactive, fun and family friendly.

Wakely’s programs have many different themes and the Troy quilt guild has chosen two presentations for the public’s enjoyment. “Iron Trails West” which tells of how James J. Hill settled the Northwest Hi-Line with his Great Northern Railroad from St. Paul through Glacier National Park and beyond. “Women of the Plains” is another story which tells of how the Native Blackfeet women mitigated harsh plains of northern Montana in order to sustain family and kinship. It gives an inside look into the matriarchal society of the women of the plains in the 1800s.

The Tender Lovin’ Quilters are a group of quilters from Troy dedicated to contributing to the knowledge of quilting, techniques, patterns, history and quilt making. The group strives to sponsor and support quilting activities, to encourage quilt making and collecting, and to promote the appreciation and knowledge of quilts. As a nonprofit organization, they raise money to provide quilts to fire victims, charity organizations and community heroes. They also expand their community’s quilting knowledge through classes, fellowship, speakers and hands-on learning.