Quilting on the Side
Co-hosts Tori McElwain of HeyTori and Andi Stanfield of True Blue Quilts share real talk about what it takes to grow a successful quilting business while balancing full-time work, family life, and creative energy. Whether you're into quilt pattern design, longarm quilting, teaching workshops, or selling handmade products, you'll find practical tips and honest conversations here. We cover everything from digital marketing and course creation to time management and the mindset shifts needed to build a sustainable, fulfilling side hustle. This show is your go-to guide for running a profitable quilting business on the side - with encouragement, strategy, and plenty of real-life stories from the stitching trenches.
Episodes
In this episode, Andi and Tori reflect on their journey through five seasons of the Quilting on the Side podcast. They discuss the importance of community engagement, key business insights shared throughout the season, and highlight memorable guests who brought unique perspectives to the quilting industry. The conversation also touches on industry trends, the impact of AI, and preparations for the upcoming year, empha...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Tori and Karlee Porter discuss the evolution of quilting, particularly focusing on graffiti quilting. Karlee shares her journey from working with long arm machines to developing her unique artistic style. The conversation explores the importance of community, the impact of self-publishing, and the accessibility of quilting machines. Karlee emphasizes the need for open-mindednes...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Tori and Andi break down how quilt pattern designers, quilting teachers, and longarm quilters can prep their businesses for the busy holiday season - without being glued to their laptops. They walk through what really needs to stay consistent (like newsletters and YouTube), how to set up simple holiday sales systems on your website, and why December and summer slowdowns are no...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, host Andi introduces Jessica Steele, a quilt pattern designer known for her sports-themed quilts. Jessica shares her journey from a hobbyist to a full-time business owner, discussing the inspiration behind her designs, the challenges of balancing family life with her quilting business, and her approach to marketing and social media. She also talks about her collaborations with ...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Tori interviews her co-host Andi about her experiences participating in four virtual quilting summits this year (2025). They discuss the rise of virtual summits in the quilting community, the benefits of collaboration, and the importance of audience engagement. Andi shares insights on preparing for a summit, the importance of follow-up strategies, and the role of lead magnets i...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori interview Meredith Marsh, a YouTube expert, who shares her entrepreneurial journey, insights on content creation, and the evolving landscape of video marketing.
Meredith discusses the importance of community building through memberships, the relevance of blogging alongside video content, and the impact of AI on content creation. She also provides practical advice ...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori discuss the importance of building a community within the quilting industry. They explore mindset shifts necessary for collaboration, overcoming self-doubt, and creating a welcoming environment for all quilters. The conversation emphasizes the value of featuring each other's work, forming symbiotic relationships, and engaging in local business collaborations....
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, host Andi and co-host Tori welcome Laureen Smith, a prolific quilt designer and former chemical engineer. Laureen shares her journey from the corporate world to quilting, detailing her early experiences with needlework and how they shaped her passion for quilting. She discusses her transition into quilt design, the challenges of working with fabric manufacturers, and her innova...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori discuss the challenges quilt business owners face with accumulating sample quilts. They explore various options for managing these samples, including giving them away, repurposing them into wearable art, and selling them. The conversation delves into the difficulties of pricing handmade quilts and the importance of finding the right market to sell them effectively...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, host Andy welcomes Tasha Haynes, a passionate quilter who transitioned from a hobbyist to a business owner. Tasha shares her journey of starting quilting in 2015, the challenges of turning her passion into a business, and the importance of community in the quilting world. She discusses her experiences with selling patterns on Etsy and her personal website, the growth of her You...
In this celebratory episode of the Quilting on the Side podcast, hosts Andi and Tori reflect on their journey through 75 episodes, sharing lessons learned, the importance of authenticity, and the value of community. They discuss the challenges faced in podcasting, the significance of structure and organization, and how technology has aided their efficiency. The conversation emphasizes the power of real stories and the...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, hosts Andi and Tori welcome Teresa, the AI Quilter, who shares her journey from the semiconductor industry to the world of quilting and artificial intelligence. Teresa discusses her passion for teaching AI concepts to various audiences, including quilters, and addresses the ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated art.
She emphasizes the importance of understanding AI's c...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori discuss effective holiday planning strategies for small businesses, particularly in the quilting industry. They explore the pros and cons of participating in Black Friday sales, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead to maximize profits while maintaining a balance between business and personal life. The conversation highlights the significance of community e...
In this powerful episode of Quilting on the Side, Tori and Andi welcome back their favorite coach for quilters, Dara Tomasson, for a timely conversation about mindset, controversy, and emotional resilience in business. Together, they explore how to navigate emotionally charged situations, set healthy boundaries, and separate self-worth from business outcomes - especially in today’s divided social and economic climate ...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori discuss the journey of self-publishing, particularly in the quilting community. They share their personal experiences, reflection questions for aspiring authors, and the realities of the publishing process, including financial aspects and marketing strategies. Tori introduces the Self-Publishing Incubator, a program designed to support individuals in their publish...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori chat with Jennifer Long of Sew a Story about her journey from a hobbyist quilter to a successful fabric designer and membership founder. Jennifer shares her early experiences with quilting, how she transitioned her passion into a business, and the challenges she faced along the way, including a significant rejection that ultimately led to her growth as a designer....
Summary
In this episode, Andi and Tori celebrate the launch of Season Five, reflecting on their experiences at the H & H event and discussing the importance of recognizing trends in the quilting industry. They explore the concept of 'bed rotting' and its connection to sleep trends, as well as Tori's transition to full-time entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into market research strategies...
In this episode, Andi and Tori celebrate the conclusion of Season Four of their podcast, reflecting on the incredible journey they've had with their guests and the insights shared throughout the season.
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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori welcome back Dara Tomasson, a life coach for quilters. They discuss the importance of emotional regulation, the shift from weight loss to mindset coaching, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with business pursuits. Dara shares insights on coping strategies, the nature of guilt, and the rewarding aspects of coaching women to improve their lives. The convers...
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and quilting. They discuss the basics of AI, its applications in the quilting community, and the limitations of AI-generated content. The conversation highlights the importance of human creativity in conjunction with AI tools, emphasizing the need for effective prompts to maximize AI's potential. They a...
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