Quilting on the Side

Andi Stanfield and Tori McElwain
  • 4.8 (22)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 1d ago

    Getting Started on YouTube: Quilting on Video

    Send us Fan Mail Andi has big news—she's releasing Quilting on Video: Your Guide to Grow and Monetize on YouTube, and Tori puts her in the hot seat to talk all things video content. After seven years and 18,000+ YouTube subscribers, Andi breaks down why YouTube isn't just another platform for quilters—it's one of the few places where your content actually keeps working years later. We talk about: Why video matters for quilting businesses (it's visual, it's searchable, it builds real community)Specific YouTube strategies for teachers, pattern designers, longarm quilters, and quilt shop ownersThe analytics side (and yes, YouTube's backend is actually friendly to business owners)Building an audience through live streams (Wednesday Sew & Chat, anyone?)Getting monetized (it's doable, but here's what changed in 2026)How Andi found a marketing channel that's actually fun (no more Instagram drag here)If you've been thinking about YouTube but weren't sure where to start—or if you tried it and let it drop—this episode walks you through the real-world path of someone doing it successfully in the quilting space. Grab Andi's book: https://truebluequilts.com/videobook/ Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Andi and her new book on YouTube for quilters 02:49 Why YouTube is ideal for visual crafts like quilting 05:14 Andi’s journey on YouTube since 2019 and her subscriber growth 10:02 Building a Quilting Community Online 11:50 The evolution of YouTube features and analytics for creators 15:02 Using analytics to replicate successful content 20:20 Consistency and monetization 23:25 Advice for different quilting creators on YouTube 29:38 Key tips for beginners to succeed on YouTube 34:48 Where to find Andi’s book  Want More Quilting Business Content? 🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 🔗 Grab Andi’s book, Quilting on Video (waitlist)  🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed  📌 Follow us on Instagram Co-Hosts: Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/  Support the show If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

  2. Sep 22

    Behind the Scenes with Kaitlyn Fritsch

    Send us Fan Mail Join the free "Do You Have a Book in You?" Webinar here: https://selfpublishingincubator.com/bookclass  Meet Kaitlyn Fritsch, the technical editor behind dozens of published quilt patterns and books. In this episode, she walks through exactly what a tech editor does (and why your math is probably fine—it's the spelling that'll get you), how to know if your pattern should be a book, and how much it actually costs to have an expert review your work. Plus: why finding time to write doesn't require a cabin in the woods, which free software can replace Adobe, and why she's cautious about AI pattern writing. If you've designed a pattern or thought about writing a book, this episode has practical answers. Don’t miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights. Connect with Kaitlyn:  Get your free Style Sheet Guide: https://www.fritschinstitches.com/styleguide  Website: https://www.fritschinstitches.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fritschinstitches/ Substack, Creatively Correct: https://creativelycorrect.substack.com/  Chapters: 01:50 Kaitlyn's transition from pattern design to technical editing 04:01 The process of tech editing quilt patterns 07:09 Common questions and concerns of new pattern writers 09:57 Expanding pattern ideas into full-length books 13:07 Tools and software for pattern design and editing 18:59 The importance of mindset and flexibility 23:53 Personal stories of fitting writing into a busy life 30:06 Final advice for pattern designers and authors 37:08 Understanding Pricing and Services 40:46 The Role of AI in Quilting Patterns 46:44 Creative Inspirations and Personal Growth 53:25 The Joy of Quilting and Community Engagement 58:00 The Importance of Support in Creative Industries Want More Quilting Business Content? 🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 🔗 Grab Andi’s book, Quilting on Video (waitlist)  🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed  📌 Follow us on Instagram Co-Hosts: Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/  Support the show If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

  3. Sep 15

    We're Back for Season7! Big Changes, Fresh Start, and Industry Events

    Send us Fan Mail Season 7 Premiere: Big Changes, Fresh Start, and Industry Events You Can't Miss Tori and Andi kick off Season 7 celebrating seven years of real talk about running a quilting business alongside everything else. But this is no ordinary season opener—both hosts are navigating major shifts in their businesses. Tori's hitting a pivotal moment: her husband just retired from the military after 13 years of moving around. For the first time, she's thinking long-term about staying put, exploring local networking opportunities, and rethinking what staying in one location means for her digital marketing coaching and self-publishing programs. She's also consolidating her entire tech stack onto one platform—a bigger undertaking that might help you reconsider your own setup. Andi's deep in the trenches finishing her book, Quilting on Video, and shares what that editing process actually feels like (spoiler: it's a lot like seam ripping). If you teach or sell quilting products, pay attention. QuiltCon 2028 (Phoenix) and FFF Fiber Fabric Festival applications are open through October 1st. Tori and Andi break down the quilting industry shows on the horizon—Crossroads, Road to California, and H+H's shifting footprint—so you can plan your 2024–2025 event strategy. Whether you're a pattern designer, teacher, longarm quilter, or shop owner, this episode reminds you why the fundamentals of staying connected to your local quilting community still matter—even as your business grows online. Don’t miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights. Want More Quilting Business Content? 🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 🔗 Grab Andi’s book, Quilting on Video (waitlist) 🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed  📌 Follow us on Instagram Co-Hosts: Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/  Support the show If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

  4. Jun 2

    Season 6 Recap - Our Longest Season yet!

    Send us Fan Mail Six seasons. Over a hundred episodes. Three years of real talk about building a quilting business on the side — and Tori and Andi are not done yet. In this Season 6 finale, the co-hosts take a walk down memory lane through what turned out to be their longest season yet — 21 episodes packed with guests, trade show adventures, solo experiments, and more than a few lessons learned the hard way. They recap the full guest lineup from Season 6: a cross-promotion episode with Brandy Maslowski of Quilter on Fire, mindset and weight loss coaching with Dara Tomasson, a masterclass on summits and email marketing from Jamie Bright, a return visit with Theresa Benson (The AI Quilter) on navigating AI ethically in 2026, self-publishing powerhouse Kathryn LeBlanc, Monika and her Canadian subscription box business Quilt the North, mosaic appliqué artist Cindy of Patterns on the Prairie, and pattern designer Brooke Stambersky of Brooke's Bitchin' Stitches. They also revisit their h+h Americas thread — from booth planning and brochures to the show floor rapid fire episode to the full panel debrief — and reflect on the solo episode format they experimented with this season. Andi shares a sneak peek at her upcoming book, Quilting on Video, and the hosts close out with honest thoughts on a "Top 40 Quilting Podcasts" nod — and why they're taking it with a grain of salt.  Need some more help starting a YouTube channel? Grab Andi's No-Fear Filming Checklist here. Season 7 is coming in August or September. Until then, there are over 100 episodes waiting for you. Chapters 00:00 Celebrating Three Years of Quilting on the Side 03:04 Highlights from Season Six Guests 06:31 Exploring AI in Quilting with Teresa 08:01 Kathryn LeBlanc: The Multi-Passionate Quilter 09:47 Navigating the Canadian Quilting Business with Monica 10:58 Building a Business Without Social Media: Joyce's Story 12:33 Andi's Journey into YouTube and Book Writing 13:19 Brooke's Bitchin' Stitches: Balancing Business and Life 14:49 H and H Rapid Fire: Insights from the Trade Show 17:37 Diverse Perspectives from the H and H Panel Discussion 20:01 Recapping Season Six and Looking Ahead to Season Seven Want More Quilting Business Content? 🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed  📌 Follow us on Instagram Co-Hosts: Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/  Support the show If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

  5. May 26

    Was it Worth it? What 5 Quilting Professionals Learned at h+h Americas

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a tech editor, a marketing coach, and three quilt pattern designers and teachers walk into the h+h americas Trade show? These are five quilting business owners with wildly different game plans — and a lot of honest hindsight. In this special panel episode, Tori and Andi sit down with three of the friends they spent the week with at h+h Americas in Chicago — Kaitlyn Fritsch of Fritsch in Stitches, Laureen Smith of Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts, and Brooke Stambersky of Brooke's Bitchin' Stitches — to recap what the show was actually like, mistakes and all. The prep stories alone run the full spectrum: Tori planned a full year out for a $2,500 booth, while Kaitlyn decided to go just two weeks before and scrambled through business-card drama to make it happen. From there, the group digs into what they did on the floor, how they're handling follow-up now that they're home (spoiler: a marketing coach admits she forgot to collect contact info), and the moments that made it all worth it - from Laureen getting stopped by a quilting-world celebrity to Brooke's big fangirl moment. They don't sugarcoat the hard parts either: the overwhelm, the exhaustion, an unkind vendor, and the honest question every side-hustler eventually has to ask — is this a business investment, or just a really expensive hobby? If you've ever wondered whether a show like h+h is worth your time and money, this conversation will help you decide. Guests: Kaitlyn from Fritsch in Stitches  Laureen from Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts  Brooke from Brooke's Bitchin' Stitches  Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Panelist Introductions 02:31 Preparation for H & H: Different Approaches 09:16 Experiences at H & H: Strategies and Insights 28:50 The Importance of Follow-Up and Networking 32:40 Navigating Post-Event Overwhelm 41:17 Strategies for Effective Follow-Up 44:39 Lessons Learned from Mistakes 45:40 Highs and Lows of the Experience 01:01:21 Reflections on Value and Future Plans Want More Quilting Business Content? 🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed  📌 Follow us on Instagram Co-Hosts: Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/  Support the show If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

  6. May 19

    h+h 2026 - Conversations from the Show Floor

    Send us Fan Mail h+h Americas is a huge fabric and fiber arts industry trade show. Andi and Tori spent the week in Chicago and met a bunch of amazing people! In this episode, Andi walks the show floor and asks a variety of attendees about their experience. Meet longarm quilters, pattern writers, tech editors and fabric desigers. We hope you enjoy this peek behind the scenes.  Did you hear that the Self-Publishing Incubator is open? Click here for more information.  Guests: Barbie from The Quilting Mill Ann from The Crafty Moose Kaitlyn from Fritsch in Stitches Tori from Self-Publishing Incubator Christa from Christa Quilts Sammy from Sonder Quilt Studio Laura from Slice of Pi Terri from Lizard Creek Quilting Beverly from Flamingo Toes Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 01:03 Barbie 06:26 Ann 14:38 Kaitlyn  18:47 Tori  20:31 Christa  23:58 Sammy  26:01 Laura 28:47 Terri 30:44 Beverly Want More Quilting Business Content? 🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed  📌 Follow us on Instagram Co-Hosts: Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/  Support the show If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

  7. May 12

    Pixel by Pixel - How an Engineer Grew Her Quilting Business with Brooke Stambersky

    Send us Fan Mail What if the best marketing strategy for your pattern business had nothing to do with Instagram? Brooke Stambersky of Brooke's Bitchin' Stitches started her entire quilting business the old-fashioned way - walking into quilt shops, showing up in person, and letting her passion do the talking. Just relationships, discipline, and a really good pixelated Michigan quilt. In this episode, Tori sits down with Brooke Stambersky of Brooke's Bitichin' Stitches to hear how a doodle on grid paper became a five-year, 50-state pattern series — and what it actually takes to see a project that big all the way through. They talk about how Brooke pitched quilt shops on her very first pattern with zero sales experience, why her Jeep-themed pattern Duck Duck Beep became her bestseller, and how she kept her business running smoothly through a cross-country move from North Carolina to Michigan. Brooke is a mechanical engineer and project manager by trade, and it shows. She breaks down how she plans her months, balances a full-time career with a side business, and built systems that let her show up for customers even when life got chaotic. If you've ever wondered whether you need to master social media before you can grow a real pattern business, Brooke's answer might surprise you. Don't miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights. Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: Discovering Quilting 10:06 From Hobby to Business: The Transition 18:10 Building a Brand: The Michigan Quilt and Beyond 27:53 Marketing Strategies: Grassroots and Personal Connections 34:58 The Power of Visibility in Pattern Design 40:02 Navigating the Quilt Shop Landscape 41:04 Balancing a Full-Time Job and a Side Business 45:32 Managing a Business During a Major Move 52:44 Engaging Customers Through Open Communication 55:55 Exciting Future Plans and Events Connect with Brooke: Brooke's Bitchin' Stitches Website Brooke on Instagram  Brooke on Facebook Want More Quilting Business Content? 🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed  📌 Follow us on Instagram Co-Hosts: Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/  Support the show If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

  8. May 5

    Why YouTube Is My #1 Platform for Quilting Business Growth

    Send us Fan Mail Andi flies solo this episode to share why YouTube has been her go-to social media platform for the past two years — and why she thinks it should be on every quilting business owner's radar. From the nuts and bolts of monetization requirements to the surprising longevity of a single well-timed video, she breaks down what's actually working for her channel. She also gets real about viral content, keyword strategy, and why chasing trends is a trap.  Don't miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights. Chapters: 00:00 – Our new podcast format  01:15 – YouTube as a primary social media strategy  02:30 – The case for live streaming (and why authenticity wins)  04:45 – Building community through live chat  05:42 – YouTube monetization explained 07:45 – Content ideas: quilt-alongs and "Stitch Story" videos  08:04 – Why 8+ minute videos matter for ad revenue 12:39 – Viral videos: luck, trends, and Andi's first viral moment  15:18 – Andi's biggest earner: the strip set video  19:10 – Resources: Join the fun in our Discord community Need some more help starting a YouTube channel? Grab the No-Fear Filming Checklist here. Want More Quilting Business Content? 🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed  📌 Follow us on Instagram Co-Hosts: Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/  Support the show If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Andi Stanfield and Tori McElwain
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Quilting on the Side
  • Show Website
    Quilting on the Side

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