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Killien Starts New Quilting Business

By Marie Tolonen
Tribune Press staff writer

CHISHOLM-When Cheryl Killien wanted to get in touch with her creative side, she turned to quilting.

"I work with numbers all of the time and I wanted to do something totally different to use the creative side of my brain," said Killien, who is employed as an accountant for a Twin Cities firm, but makes her home in Chisholm.

The Chisholm native founded Quiltin Buddies, a long-arm quilting business that specializes in finishing quilts. The long arm refers to the 24" arm on the machine. When a quilter brings in a completed top layer, Killien uses the quilting machine to secure the batting as well as the backing to make a completed product.

By utilizing Quiltin Buddies to complete their work, the quilters are free from having to spend countless hours hand stitching or trying to complete these large quilts on a conventional sewing machine. As a long-arm quilter, Killien also provides an outlet for creativity in quilt design. Whether it be intricate free-hand designs stitched into the quilt or large overall patterns generated by the machine, the possibilities are endless.

Upon completion, the quality of each stitch can be examined as the stitches are visible, unlike many hand stitched quilts, where the stitches are internal.

Killien got her start making homemade quilts six years ago. At first, she was hesitant, but after attending her first quilting camp she was sold. "At first, she said, 'I don't know if I want to go,"' said her husband, Larry who handles all the mechanical work and marketing for Quiltin Buddies. "Then when she came home, she said, 'I need to get more stuff."' It was May of 2004 when Killien and her husband traveled to a quilting show in Springfield, IL in search of the long-arm quilting machine. After two and a half days of searching, the couple found a machine that met their needs.

To get acquainted with the new machine, Killien used quilts she had made as well as those of friends and family.

"Buddy, (the couple's dog), was my first customer," said Killien as she told of the cozy quilted pet beds she created for Buddy. "Thus, the name, "Quiltin Buddies."

Area quilters have responded favorably to Quiltin Buddies, which officially opened in November of 2004. "So far, I have completed 20 orders and have three waiting," said Killien.

Killien also stated that she's receptive to making custom quilts and quilted pet beds for non-quilters. "Everyone needs at least one quilt," said Killien. "Just give me a call at 254-2487 for more information."

Reprinted with permission by the Chisholm Tribune Press.