Stitch Patterns: Ronan quilt show

It was a busy weekend in Lake County.

The Lake County Fair was in full swing as well as the annual Ronan Pioneer Days.

The schedule was jam-packed for the Ronan Pioneer Days. A co-ed softball tournament, street dances, and a car show were highlights. Residents and visitors had many choices, to say the least. There was another highlight and top draw, and it might surprise you.

The Quilt Show at the K. William Harvey Elementary Gym was a hot ticket at the Pioneer days. People from all over the region came to see the craftsmanship and designs from Lake County’s best quilters. Kay Krantz was among the 20 or so people showing their work over the weekend. She was the Featured Quilter of the Pioneer Days Quilt Show.

Many people in the area know Krantz. She’s a fixture at the Mission Mountain Quilt Guild – an organization that has been quilting and meeting for almost 20 years. Krantz has been a part of the guild for 15 years. She says it’s a small community of about 35 members who meet regularly to sew, collaborate, and, of course, talk.

“Quilting people are one of a kind,” she said. “It’s good to see other people’s creations and give ideas.”

The creation of a single quilt takes skill – and a certain mindset. Sewers must be patient and willing to let their creations grow to size, whether stitched from hand or using stencils. Both ways are popular ways to complete a design. Depending on the size and shape, the length of time it takes a sewer – such as Krantz – differs.

“It varies,” she said. “If you sew steady, you can finish one in a week and a half, or 3 to 4 days.”

Krantz said it’s not a race or competition between her and the other guild members, but she is a fast creator.

“I’m not the average sewer,” she said. For Krantz, completing a quilt is a simple joy because she, along with her fellow guild members, can give the quilts as gifts for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions.  

The Ronan quilt show on Saturday was a good way for other people to see and possibly purchase different styles of quilts.

“It’s a fantastic quilt show,” she said. “People come from all over.”

In fact, one such person came from England over the weekend – just for the quilt show in Ronan.

“She came to Montana for this event,” Krantz said. That’s a high compliment and a measure of how much people can appreciate the intricate designs on display over the weekend. 

Krantz had many designs on display at the show. She pointed out McKenna Ryan’s quilt hung next to one of hers that hails from Bigfork, but now lives in Washington state. Julie Neimeyer had some work being shown too, and she was from Kalispell.

One learns in the quilting world there are many types of designs and styles. Krantz had several “Bargello” designs, which feature square boxes in unique patterns. The “Bargello” design appeals to Krantz because it uses a pattern, and therefore can be completed in a short amount of time. It helps that the design is also beautiful to her. That affection has led her to even teach a class at the guild for members to specifically craft the quilt design.

This year’s theme for the show was “Twist and Shout,” showcasing interesting twirls of colors and a variety of complex designs.

Krantz created a quilt called “Twister” specifically for the show in less than a week. Some of the quilts she had on display were gifts to her many children and grandchildren – she promised to give them back, too. She and her husband Kenny have five children and 19 grandchildren, so giving the gift of a quilt comes in handy around the holidays.

Krantz’s turned 68 the week before the show, and celebrated her 40th year of quilting. She said she’s been practicing the craft since she was little, but got serious after an unexpected event happened to her family.

“We had a house fire in 1970,” she said. “And we had to replace everything, so I just started making quilts more and more.”

Krantz laughed when asked what it takes to be a quilter. The usual aspects that make any artist true to their work: patience and skill – with a willingness to learn. 

“That and a little crazy,” she added with a smile.