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.

Podcasting since 2023 • 106 episodes

Quilting on the Side

Latest Episodes

Beyond Distributors & Social Media: How One Quilt Pattern Designer Built a Successful Business

What do you do when distributors keep saying no and social media isn't getting your patterns in front of the right people? In this solo episode, Tori shares the story of Joyce - a pattern designer and client who built a growing pattern business...

April 28, 2026 • Season 6 • Episode 16 • 23:33

Mosaic Applique and the Pivot That Travels with You with Cindy Bader

What happens when the business you love physically can't come with you? In this episode, Andi sits down with Cindy Bader of Patterns on the Prairie to talk about building - and rebuilding - a quilting business around the realities of your life....

April 21, 2026 • Season 6 • Episode 15 • 33:40

Media Kits, Elevator Pitches, and Cold Outreach for Quilters

What actually goes into a media kit — and do you even need one? In this episode, Tori and Andi break down the nuts and bolts of building a media kit for your quilting business, from headshots and bios to class sample photos and social media han...

April 14, 2026 • Season 6 • Episode 14 • 31:32

From Accidental Pattern Designer to Subscription Box Creator with Monika Henry

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 scis...

April 07, 2026 • Season 6 • Episode 13 • 37:31

Pattern Designers + Quilt Shops: How to Build Partnerships That Work for Everyone

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 econom...

March 31, 2026 • Season 6 • Episode 12 • 25:22

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Fan Mail

Ladies! Thank you so so so much! I cannot believe how much my brain is working on developing my business. For YEARS I have tried to figure out what to do and you answer all of the questions. Holy Moly I am excited! Now if only you could tell me how to add more hours to my day!

Cannon Falls, Minnesota