Carolyn Rundstrom’s growing new business “Creations by Carolyn” thrives on making masterpieces out of local Kansan’s unfinished projects. She strives for her handiwork to be precise, purposeful and sometimes educational.
After teaching in Canton for 34 years and learning to quilt in her free time, Rundstrom decided that a service business would be a profitable and enjoyable experience. The new endeavor, which starting only one and half months ago, allows Rundstrom to complete quilts individuals have previously started.
Her customers piece together the front, but many times are too weak or unsure of how to finish the rest. Her task involves sewing top pieces together with a puffy center (batting) and a back fabric (backing). If needed, she also binds the edges.
“The best part of what I do is seeing the pride in their faces when they take home the finished product,” she said.
The majority of her work is done with a long arm machine — a piece of machinery significantly larger and more sophisticated than the average sewing machine. Instead of wrestling a large, heavy quilt into the confines of a small sewing machine, the long arm allows Rundstrom to lay out an entire quilt on a frame and move the mounted machine on top. A quilt of relatively any size can be placed on the frame, which stretches 12 feet across.
Although she has had the long arm for two years, Rundstrom most recently decided that the demand for a business like hers would be worth a try. She continues to get more customers as residents — now stretching from Wichita to Salina — hears of her services.
She works around nine hours a day in her home and completes an average quilt in 1.5 days. Necessary supplies are charged at cost in addition to her labor.
As she completes the quilts, Rundstrom sometimes offers tips to her customers to improve their piecing. She takes joy in building their confidence and seeing them improve quilt after quilt. Her love for education, it seems, has not left her yet.
“This hobby-turned-business is my passion and, like teaching, is very satisfying,” she said. “Sometimes I can't believe that I am lucky enough to be getting paid for it.”
Rundstrom has only been quilting since 2005. She had been previously knitting, but following retirement, took quilting classes at the former Button Hole in McPherson. She excelled in the art and was soon making creations for friends and relatives.
“I take a lot of pride in it and it’s a way to be creative,” she said. “I appreciate everyone who has suggested I start this business and thank them for their support."
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Carolyn Rundstrom’s growing new business “Creations by Carolyn” thrives on making masterpieces out of local Kansan’s unfinished projects. She strives for her handiwork to be precise, purposeful and sometimes educational.
After teaching in Canton for 34 years and learning to quilt in her free time, Rundstrom decided that a service business would be a profitable and enjoyable experience. The new endeavor, which starting only one and half months ago, allows Rundstrom to complete quilts individuals have previously started.
Her customers piece together the front, but many times are too weak or unsure of how to finish the rest. Her task involves sewing top pieces together with a puffy center (batting) and a back fabric (backing). If needed, she also binds the edges.
“The best part of what I do is seeing the pride in their faces when they take home the finished product,” she said.
The majority of her work is done with a long arm machine — a piece of machinery significantly larger and more sophisticated than the average sewing machine. Instead of wrestling a large, heavy quilt into the confines of a small sewing machine, the long arm allows Rundstrom to lay out an entire quilt on a frame and move the mounted machine on top. A quilt of relatively any size can be placed on the frame, which stretches 12 feet across.
Although she has had the long arm for two years, Rundstrom most recently decided that the demand for a business like hers would be worth a try. She continues to get more customers as residents — now stretching from Wichita to Salina — hears of her services.
She works around nine hours a day in her home and completes an average quilt in 1.5 days. Necessary supplies are charged at cost in addition to her labor.
As she completes the quilts, Rundstrom sometimes offers tips to her customers to improve their piecing. She takes joy in building their confidence and seeing them improve quilt after quilt. Her love for education, it seems, has not left her yet.
“This hobby-turned-business is my passion and, like teaching, is very satisfying,” she said. “Sometimes I can't believe that I am lucky enough to be getting paid for it.”
Rundstrom has only been quilting since 2005. She had been previously knitting, but following retirement, took quilting classes at the former Button Hole in McPherson. She excelled in the art and was soon making creations for friends and relatives.
“I take a lot of pride in it and it’s a way to be creative,” she said. “I appreciate everyone who has suggested I start this business and thank them for their support."
