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
89 episodes
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
Put Your Expertise in Print: Self-Publishing for Creative Entrepreneurs
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 pu...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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52:33
All About Fabric Design with Riley Blake Designer Jennifer Long
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,...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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58:50
Market Research & Trends in the Quilting Industry
SummaryIn 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 ...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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28:37
Season 4 Recap
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. 👉 Don’t miss this inspirin...
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Season 4
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Episode 15
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27:16
Get a Mindset Boost with a Life Coach
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 m...
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Season 4
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Episode 14
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27:34
Work Smarter With AI Tools
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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37:16
My Summit Story
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi shares her experiences participating in the Quilted Summit, discussing the benefits of collaboration, presentation styles, and the importance of engaging with an audience. She highlights the lessons...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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26:37
Stitching Success
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, hosts Andi and Tori interview Susan Smith, a quilter with a rich family history in quilting. Susan shares her journey from learning to quilt on a treadle machine in a log cabin to turning her passion int...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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35:57
Step on Stage: Tips for Speaking to Quilt Guilds
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori discuss the ins and outs of presenting at quilt guilds. They cover the definition and purpose of quilt guilds, how to get started with presentations, the importance of networking, ...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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29:54
Empowering Women in Business
In this episode of Quilting on the Side, hosts Andi and Tori chat with Devan Robinson, a versatile entrepreneur and podcast editor. Devan shares her journey, transitioning from life coaching to marketing strategist, while highlighting ...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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40:00