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PODCAST

Quilting on the Side

Andi Stanfield and Tori McElwain

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

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

37:31

From Accidental Pattern Designer to Subscription Box...

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/04/07

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to build a quilting business almost by accident? In this episode, Tori and Andi sit down with Monika Henry of Penny Spool Quilts to talk about her journey from a six-year first quilt (cut with cardboard templates and scissors) to running a pattern design business, teaching an improv quilting workshop, and launching a Canadian quilt subscription box that took off faster than she expected. Monika shares the behind-the-scenes reality of creating Quilt the ...

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25:22

Pattern Designers + Quilt Shops: How to Build...

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/03/31

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tori and Andi dig into a topic they've been hearing about from both sides - the relationship between pattern designers and quilt shops. Are they competitors? Partners? Somewhere in between? They break down the real economics of pattern design (spoiler: a $12 retail pattern doesn't go far at wholesale or distributor pricing), why most designers can't rely on direct-to-consumer sales alone, and what it actually takes to get your patterns into shops and distribu...

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51:04

From Pillowcases to Publishing with Kathryn LeBlanc

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/03/24

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Andi sits down with Kathryn LeBlanc of Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio (and author Kathryn Mykel) to talk about what it really looks like to keep reinventing your creative business when the thing that's working stops working. Kathryn opened a brick-and-mortar quilt shop with no money, no inventory, and no business background - then closed it right before COVID hit. She pivoted to Facebook Lives and made more in two years than she did in five years wi...

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30:38

Quilt Market Is Gone. Now What?

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/03/17

Send a text Quilt Market is gone. After decades as the destination event for quilting industry professionals, the fall show has been canceled indefinitely, and Tori and Andi have thoughts. In this episode, they pull back the curtain on what the end of Quilt Market might mean for your business and the quilting industry as a whole, why it may not be the bad news everyone's making it out to be, and what it could signal about where things are heading. They dig into the shift from brick-and-mortar...

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49:28

The Truth About AI's Environmental Impact for...

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/03/10

Send a text In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori welcome back Theresa Benson - the AI Quilter for a fascinating conversation about how artificial intelligence is showing up in the quilting world. Since her last appearance on the podcast, Theresa has been busy speaking at guilds, mentoring quilters, presenting on the big stage at QuiltCon, and researching some of the biggest questions people have about AI. Together they discuss: • How AI is actually being used by quilte...

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32:09

Stickers, Shaking Hands, and Sewing Seeds: Authentic...

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/03/03

Send a text Taking your quilt business from a digital screen to a physical trade show booth can feel like a high-stakes challenge. In this episode, Tori and Andi pull back the curtain on the "messy middle" of booth prep and the vulnerability of being seen. You'll discover: The "Top-Down" Strategy: How to design for visibility so your brand is seen from across the room.Pro-Tips on a Budget: Why wooden crates and magnetic LEDs are a business owner’s best friend.The Introvert’s Secret Weapon: Ho...

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52:55

Summit Prep Masterclass with Jamie Bright from Craft...

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/02/24

Send a text In this episode of Quilting on the Side, hosts Andi and Tori interview Jamie Bright with Craft a Dream, a successful quilter and entrepreneur. Jamie shares her journey from starting quilting at a young age to building a thriving business in the quilting industry. She discusses the importance of marketing, collaborations, and organic growth strategies for quilters looking to turn their passion into a business. Jamie also provides valuable insights on how to effectively participate ...

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49:07

Let us Reintroduce Ourselves: Meet 2026 Andi & Tori

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/02/17

Send a text In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori reflect on their journey since the podcast's inception, discussing significant changes in their businesses, personal growth, and the evolution of their creative identities. Tori shares her transition to full-time coaching and the launch of her self-publishing incubator, while Andi highlights her success with YouTube and the development of her quilting patterns. They explore the realities of running a quilting business, the imp...

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28:43

Digital Marketing Basics for Quilting Businesses

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/02/10

Send a text In this conversation, Andi and Tori McElwain delve into the essentials of digital marketing for business owners, focusing on how to effectively show up online. Tori shares her insights on the importance of building an email list, nurturing leads through content, and the critical role of launching products. They discuss strategies for managing multiple projects and the significance of documenting the creative process to engage audiences. The conversation emphasizes the need for a s...

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38:14

Navigating Conflict in a Chaotic World with Dara...

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/02/03

Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Andi and our guest Dara Tomasson explore the complexities of navigating conflict, overcoming self-sabotage, and finding joy in business. They discuss the importance of emotional resilience, the impact of imposter syndrome, and the necessity of taking control of one's reactions in a chaotic world. Dara shares her insights on personal growth, the creative process, and the significance of community support in achieving success. The discussion emphasi...

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38:50

Get Found Online: Keywords and easy ways to use them!

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/01/27

Send us a text In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori McElwain delve into the evolving landscape of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and its implications for quilting businesses. Tori shares her insights gained from extensive research, particularly focusing on the integration of AI search bots into SEO strategies. The conversation highlights the importance of using relevant keywords naturally in content, avoiding outdated practices like keyword stuffing, and ensuring that busi...

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73:36

Podcaster Meet-up with Brandy Maslowski, The Quilter...

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/01/20

Send us a text In this engaging conversation, Brandy Maslowski, Tori McElwain, and Andi Stanfield explore their quilting journeys, the evolution of their businesses, and the impact of podcasting in the quilting community. They share personal stories about their first quilts, discuss the significance of color trends in quilting, and delve into the role of AI in their businesses. The episode also highlights their current projects, future plans, and the importance of community and creativity in ...

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34:29

Balancing Life and Business | Season 6 Kick-off!

Quilting on the Side ·

2026/01/13

Send us a text In this episode, Tori and Andi kick off Season Six by discussing the challenges of work-life balance for entrepreneurs, particularly those in the quilting community. They explore the unrealistic expectations of balance, the importance of self-care, and the need to acknowledge tougher times. The conversation emphasizes the significance of structuring time for learning and creativity, utilizing time blocking for productivity, and the duality of being both a creative and a busines...

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40:58

Season 5 Recap

Quilting on the Side ·

2025/12/09

Send us a text 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, emphasizing the need for collaboration and support within the quil...

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70:22

Unraveling the Art of Graffiti Quilting with Karlee...

Quilting on the Side ·

2025/12/02

Send us a text 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-mindedness in the quilting world and the significance of balancing bus...

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35:43

How to Prep Your Quilt Business for the Holidays (and...

Quilting on the Side ·

2025/11/25

Send us a text 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 normal in the quilting industry. You’ll leave with practic...

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36:30

Jessica Steele: The Intersection of Sports and Quilting

Quilting on the Side ·

2025/11/18

Send us a text 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 other designers and her future projects, emphasizing the impo...

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40:51

Virtual Quilting Summits: Andi in the Hot Seat!

Quilting on the Side ·

2025/11/11

Send us a text 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 in building an email list. The conversation emphasizes the val...

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50:04

Unlocking YouTube Success with Meredith Marsh

Quilting on the Side ·

2025/11/04

Send us a text 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 for new YouTubers, strategies for working with brands, ...

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41:20

Collaboration Over Competition: Actions to help grow...

Quilting on the Side ·

2025/10/28

Send us a text 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. They also touch on the significance of sharing platforms and pers...

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103 results

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