Community fabric: Three Forks quilt shop has stitched together nationwide fan base

THREE FORKS — In 2018, Matt Bugland was in the middle of a remodeling project when he looked up and saw his truck and trailer in the street.

Everything that had once been loaded in the back of his truck was sprawled across the lawn. His wife, Kelly, was in the driver's seat, ready for a road trip to Washington to get "everything there was to get" from a quilting store going out of business.

Little did Matt know that trip to Kennewick, spurred by a Craigslist ad, would lead to a booming business with three buildings and connections all over the United States.

Kelly was born and raised in Three Forks and became interested in quilting after coming across a knitted washcloth she thought to be beautiful. She took a knitting class shortly after, only to find she couldn’t quite get the hang of it. The leader of the class kindly let her know she “may need to find a different hobby.”

That different hobby quickly turned into an interest in quilting, thanks to a neighbor who was willing to show her the basics.

“I’ve always wanted to learn the art of quilting, especially after I had children,” Kelly said.

In November 2019, Matt, a retired Army veteran, and Kelly took the leap to start their own storefront for their shop: Be Lazy Quilting.

They make their home in Pony, but decided Three Forks was the perfect location right off Interstate 90 and just a few minutes from booming Bozeman. The fact that U.S. Highway 287 is a frequently used route between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park didn’t hurt, either.

The store’s original purpose was simple — to serve as a place for Kelly and her friends to quilt. It was open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays only because they figured two days a week would be enough.

Matt and Kelly couldn’t believe the foot traffic that walked through the doors in those two days.

“Quilters are a unique bunch. They flock to quilt stores wherever they go, seeking them out on their travels,” Kelly said.

Within the first year, two days quickly turned into five. One building morphed into two. Two employees turned into five, and fabric representatives were stopping by to fill the empty shelves.

As the business began to take off, Matt and Kelly saw the opportunity for an online presence as well. The idea came in the form of an online subscription that included everything one would need to make a section of what would, in the end, eventually be a king-sized quilt.

Today, Be Lazy Quilting ships, on average, 15 monthly subscription kits to every corner of the U.S and beyond. Recently, they made their first shipment to Australia.

Batik materials are their claim to fame. It’s a two-sided material dyed with wax. Tourists and locals alike seek out the custom materials full of all things western Montana — the Crazy Mountains and Bridger Range, Hollowtop Mountain in the Tobacco Roots, the Missouri headwaters, Sacajawea Peak, moose, and much more.

“We have the perfect tourist fabric unique to Montana that you can’t get anywhere else,” Matt said.

The Buglands do not pay for advertising on any platform. Thanks to word of mouth, they don’t have to.

“Quilters will go anywhere to find unique fabric. All quilt shops are different, and we are not in competition with each other,” Kelly said.

In 2020, the Buglands took another leap of faith in opening their first quilting retreat, “The Hive.” Quilters from all over come to create and sew with friends, all while getting to experience the beauty of the Gallatin Valley.

One retreat center naturally evolved into another called “Patchways,” a guest house that opened in April 2024 just down the street.

The quilt shop’s supporters, especially those staying for several days at the retreat center, don’t just spend their time and money at Be Lazy Quilting. Large groups flock to the restaurants and other stores lining Main Street, enjoying the small-town charm of Three Forks.

“This is huge for the community. Our customers love to go support the other businesses, too. People are excited to be in a small town, and everyone feels so welcome here,” Matt said.

The ‘Lazy” part of Be Lazy Quilting is no reflection on Matt and Kelly.

Both served on the ambulance crew, Matt as a driver and Kelly as an EMT, for five years. Kelly served on the local rodeo board for three years as well as the civic and economic development board. Matt repairs sewing machines in his spare time.

The Buglands already owned five businesses when they opened their quilt shop, which features an upstairs guest house. And while they didn’t need another, this one has turned out to be their favorite.

“We are just one big community, and we all take care of each other,” Matt said.

Kelly is thankful her knitting instructor suggested she find another hobby all those years ago. It has led to a sustainable business, a place for quilt lovers to gather, friendships across the world, and a bright spot in the community.