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
101 episodes
From Pillowcases to Publishing with Kathryn LeBlanc
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 11
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51:04
Quilt Market Is Gone. Now What?
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 o...
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Season 6
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Episode 10
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30:38
The Truth About AI's Environmental Impact for Quilters with Theresa the AI Quilter
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 9
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49:28
Stickers, Shaking Hands, and Sewing Seeds: Authentic Networking for Quilting Industry Events
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....
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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32:09
Summit Prep Masterclass with Jamie Bright from Craft a Dream
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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52:55
Let us Reintroduce Ourselves: Meet 2026 Andi & Tori
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 ...
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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49:07
Digital Marketing Basics for Quilting Businesses
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 lead...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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28:43
Navigating Conflict in a Chaotic World with Dara Tomasson
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 ...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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38:14
Get Found Online: Keywords and easy ways to use them!
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, particu...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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38:50
Podcaster Meet-up with Brandy Maslowski, The Quilter on Fire
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 the...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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1:13:36
Balancing Life and Business | Season 6 Kick-off!
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-c...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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34:29
Season 5 Recap
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 g...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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40:58
Unraveling the Art of Graffiti Quilting with Karlee Porter
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...
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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1:10:22
How to Prep Your Quilt Business for the Holidays (and Survive the Slow Seasons)
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. ...
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Season 5
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Episode 15
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35:43
Jessica Steele: The Intersection of Sports and Quilting
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 behi...
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Season 5
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Episode 14
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36:30
Virtual Quilting Summits: Andi in the Hot Seat!
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...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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40:51
Unlocking YouTube Success with Meredith Marsh
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 discuss...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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50:04
Collaboration Over Competition: Actions to help grow the quilting industry as a solopreneur
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 environ...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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41:20
The Art of Quilt Design with Laureen Smith
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 ...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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1:02:16
Creative Solutions for Quilt Samples
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...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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34:01
From Hobby to Business: Our Chat with Tasha Haynes
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 in...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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36:09
Lessons from 75 Episodes of Quilting on the Side
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 ...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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35:42
The Crossroads of AI and Quilting with Theresa
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 ...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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49:31
Navigating Black Friday: Holiday Sales Strategy
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...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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38:58
How to Handle Controversy, Difficult Conversations, & More with Dara Tomasson
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 e...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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40:46