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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.

Cindy started quilting as a first-generation quilter on a $60 Walmart Singer that she had to spin the flywheel to start. Nearly two decades ago, worsening carpal tunnel pushed her out of a desk job and into a computerized longarm business she ran from home while raising three kids. Then COVID opened the door to snowbirding - and she hit a new wall: you can't exactly pack up a twelve-foot longarm frame and take it to Texas.

So she pivoted again. Inspired by a 2:00 a.m. idea, Cindy started designing what she calls mosaic applique - fusible applique patterns with small gaps between the pieces, pre-reversed templates, color-sorted layouts, and a numbered reference page so customers can build each design from the center out like a puzzle. She recently added SVG files for cutting machines and uses a hotfix adhesive that stays permanent through washing, so there's no stitching around every little piece.

If you've ever felt boxed in by the physical or seasonal limits of your current quilting business, this conversation is a reminder that the constraint often points directly at your next move.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Cindy’s Background
02:20 Cindy’s First Quilt and Early Sewing Memories
03:17 Transition from Hobbyist to Business Owner
05:47 Starting a Business During Carpal Tunnel Challenges
08:35 Discovering Quilt Pattern Design and Expanding Horizons
10:32 Introduction to Mosaic Applique Patterns
12:54 Design Process and Customer Pain Points
14:31 Innovative Application Techniques and Tools
15:30 Teaching and Sharing Patterns in Person and Online
16:42 Marketing Strategies and Word of Mouth
17:35 Family Support and Tech Skills in Business
21:41 Upcoming Events and New Pattern Releases
22:16 Where to Find Cindy and Her Patterns
23:03 Rapid Fire: Favorite Quilt Colors and Pattern Ideas
33:01 Closing Remarks and Thanks

Connect with Cindy:

• Website: https://patternsontheprairie.com
• Instagram: @patternsontheprairie
• Facebook: @patternsontheprairie
• YouTube: @patternsontheprairie

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Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

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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 handles. They walk through how your kit should look different depending on whether you're pitching a podcast, approaching a guild, or reaching out to a quilt shop — and why "make it about them, not you" is the thread that ties it all together.

Tori and Andi also share two frameworks for introducing yourself and your business: Andi's elevator pitch formula (I help ___ do ___ so that ___) and Tori's three W's for cold outreach (why them, why you, why now). They talk tools for keeping everything organized — Google Drive, Trello, Notion — and get real about the cold emails that end up in the trash because the sender clearly didn't do their homework.

Whether you're prepping for H&H Americas, reaching out to guilds for 2027, or just tired of scrambling to pull together your info every time an opportunity comes up, this episode gives you a game plan to get it done once and keep it ready.

Don't miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Media Kits
04:09 Essentials of a Media Kit
07:01 Tailoring Media Kits for Different Audiences
10:06 Crafting Effective Pitches
13:01 Tools for Organizing Media Kits
15:53 Elevator Pitch Frameworks
18:48 Personalizing Outreach
21:47 Understanding Your Audience
24:47 Conclusion and Call to Action

Want More Quilting Business Content?
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Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

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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 North — a quarterly subscription box featuring a Canadian pattern designer, curated fabric, and locally sourced handmade items tied to each designer's region. She talks about the logistics she had to figure out on the fly (like the fact that you have to order print fabric six to eight months in advance), how Canada's political climate unexpectedly did her marketing for her, and why the connections she made at H&H Americas gave her the confidence to actually launch.

Tori and Andi also dig into what Monika calls "accidental" business moves — and reframe them as something more intentional: listening to your audience, following curiosity, and being willing to figure things out as you go. Monika also shares how working with a coach through Tori's DMMC program helped her step back from the middle of her business and see the bigger picture.

Whether you've been thinking about launching a product-based offering, adding a subscription model, or just need a reminder that you don't have to have it all figured out before you start, this conversation delivers.

Don't miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Connect with Monika 

Website: https://pennyspoolquilts.com 

See more about Quilt the North 

Instagram: @pennyspoolquilts 

Facebook: @pennyspoolquilts 

YouTube: @pennyspoolquilts 

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and guest introduction
02:00 Monica's first quilt and quilting journey
05:25 Turning hobby into business
09:13 Starting the Canadian quilt subscription box
12:37 Marketing and launching the subscription box
17:09 Listening to the audience and business insights
22:54 Favorite parts of the quilting and business experience
27:57 Where to find Monica online
28:45 Recent quilt project and color choices
29:16 Tools and notions Monica loves
31:04 Inspiring figures outside quilting
31:52 Challenges of running a business
32:57 Number of quilts in Monica’s sewing room
34:44 Exploring the Journey of Quilt the North
36:45 The Fearless Entrepreneurial Spirit

Want More Quilting Business Content? 

🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 

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Co-Hosts: 

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/ 

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts &

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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 distributors. Tori shares what she's seen at H&H over the past few years - including designers who got turned down multiple times before landing distributor deals - and Andi talks about the importance of having proof of concept before you pitch.

From there, they get into practical strategies for working directly with local quilt shops: matching your patterns to a shop's vibe, offering kits and trunk shows, hosting demo days, and showing up as a true partner (not just someone looking for shelf space). Andi shares her approach to trunk show contracts, and Tori makes the case for why every shop visit should include a reel, a tag, and a social media shoutout - because boosting a shop's digital presence is one of the most valuable things a designer can do.

They also talk about the role of email marketing, why teaching locally builds authority even for your online audience, and what Joann's closing means for the industry's reliance on independent quilt shops.

Whether you're a pattern designer trying to grow your reach or a shop owner wondering how to make these partnerships work, this conversation is packed with ideas you can act on.

Don't miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Chapters 

00:00 Bridging the Gap: Quilt Shops and Pattern Designers
04:06 Understanding Business Models: Sales Strategies for Designers
06:46 Building Relationships: Strategies for Working with Quilt Shops
09:42 Creating Value: How Designers Can Support Shops
12:40 Marketing Together: Boosting Visibility for Quilt Shops
15:29 The Importance of Community: Engaging with Local Shops
18:32 Partnerships for Success: Elevating the Quilting Industry

Want More Quilting Business Content? 

🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks 

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Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/

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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 with the shop. When that dried up, she went to school for self-publishing and launched a cozy mystery series set in the quilting world that regularly hits bestseller lists.

They also dig into the business side of running designer collaborations - what makes a 50-week block program succeed or fall apart, how to actually make money from free patterns instead of just giving your work away, and why your free pattern is the coupon (so stop stacking discounts on top of it). Plus, Kathryn shares how she landed magazine features in a short window and why having a publishing schedule from her book career gave her an unexpected edge.

Whether you're thinking about your next pivot or just trying to figure out how to monetize what you're already doing, this one's full of real talk from someone who's done it - multiple times over.

Don’t miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Kathryn LeBlanc and Her Journey
03:52 From Hobby to Business: The Quilt Shop Experience
06:52 Navigating Challenges: Closing the Quilt Shop and New Beginnings
09:53 Collaborations and Community Engagement During COVID
12:35 The Art of Collaboration: Pros, Cons, and Lessons Learned
15:39 Monetizing Free Patterns: Strategies for Success
18:36 Transitioning from Freebies to Paid Supporters
21:42 The Cozy Mystery Series: Writing and Publishing Journey
29:25 The Balancing Act of Writing and Quilting
33:07 Expanding Horizons: Magazine Submissions and Collaborations
39:39 Navigating the Quilt Industry: Patterns and Sales Strategies
44:27 Finding Inspiration and Defining Your Niche
47:07 The Joy of Creativity and Business in Quilting

Connect with Kathryn

Kathryn's Website 

Amazon Author 

Instagram 

Youtube 

Facebook

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Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

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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-centered business models to the rise of online creators and digital shops, and why a show that didn't make room for that evolution was always going to struggle.

They also talk about why H&H Americas seems to be filling that void and then some. From the energy on the show floor to the surprising crossover between quilting, knitting, and other fiber arts, Tori and Andi share what makes H&H feel different from anything the quilting industry has seen before. Tori even shares a practical marketing insight she picked up from a knitter at the show — one that quilters absolutely should be borrowing.

Plus: the news that H&H announced a fall show in Houston, stepping directly into the time slot Quilt Market left behind.

Whether you've been mourning Market or wondering if H&H is worth your time and money, this episode offers an honest — if speculative — look at the trade show landscape and what it might mean for your quilting business right now.

Mentioned in this episode:

Blog Post: Growing Your Fiber Arts Business at a Trade Show

Don’t miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
00:15 The History of Quilt Market
01:20 The Big News: Quilt Market Canceled Indefinitely
03:00 What This Could Mean for the Quilting Industry
05:30 Who Quilt Market Left Behind
07:05 Why H&H Americas Feels Different
09:45 The Surprising Knitting-Quilting Crossover
13:25 A Marketing Idea Worth Stealing from the Knitting World
18:35 H&H Announces a Fall Show in Houston
20:00 What's Next for the Quilting Trade Show Landscape
22:55 Tori's Rebrand and New Logo Quilt
25:30 Andi's Stretch Star Quilt Along
29:00 Closing Thoughts

Want More Quilting Business Content?
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Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

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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 quilters today
 • Why some of the environmental concerns around AI have recently been greatly exaggerated
• What Theresa discovered while researching the topic for her white paper
• How AI fits into the creative process without replacing human creativity
• When (and if) AI use should be disclosed in quilting projects
• Practical ways quilters and quilt business owners can use AI responsibly

The conversation also touches on teaching, presenting programs for guilds, and how creative entrepreneurs can balance giving value while still running a sustainable business.

It’s a thoughtful, insightful, and educational episode that brings clarity to a topic many creatives are still figuring out.

Don’t miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Mentioned in the Episode:
Theresa's Book: Digital Muse: Bringing AI into Your Creative Process
Theresa's White Paper on Environment and AI
Opting Out of Data Sets - Blog Post  

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to AI in Quilting
10:27 AI vs. Fabric Manufacturing Water Usage
16:30 The Villainization of AI
22:44 AI's Influence in Quilting
34:15 Navigating AI in Business and Teaching
44:10 The Return of Teresa: A Richer Conversation

Connect with Theresa:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/theaiquilter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresabenson/  

Website - https://theaiquilter.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIQuilter

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

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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: How sticker trading turns awkward networking into a fun connection.
• The Personalized Pitch: Why a "gift packet" lands better partnerships than a generic brochure.

Perfect for any creative entrepreneur ready to step into the spotlight. Join us as we bridge the gap between digital magic and real-life connection.

Mentioned in the Episode: 

• Blog Post: Your h+h Roadmap  
• Craft to Career Episode with Darrin Stern  
• Our episode with Brandy, The Quilter on Fire  
• Register for h+h  

Chapters

[00:05] - Welcome & The "Why" Behind Booth Prep

[01:46] - Navigating H&H Americas: B2B vs. B2C and Booth Basics

[02:45] - The "Spotlight" Strategy: Why You Shouldn't Display Everything

[03:20] - From Digital to Physical: Turning Marketing Concepts into "Thought Bubbles"

[05:43] - The Booth as a Landing Page: Designing for the Customer Journey

[07:39] - Andi’s Trade Show Past & Using "Top-Down" Visibility

[10:09] - The Magic of Wooden Crates: Height, Storage, and Aesthetic

[11:26] - Beyond the Business Card: Postcards, Brochures, and QR Codes

[15:19] - The Trifold Truth: Focusing Your Message to Avoid Confusion

[18:20] - The Personalized Pitch: Turning Partnerships into "Gifts"

[23:18] - Sticker Culture: The Introvert’s Secret Weapon for Networking

[28:06] - Strategic Lighting: Magnetic LEDs and Gallery Vibes

[30:06] - Outro & Final Reflections

Want More Quilting Business Content?
🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks
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Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

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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 in summits and leverage them for business growth, emphasizing the need for alignment between presentations, freebies, and products. The conversation highlights the joy of quilting and the supportive community within the quilting world.

The Quilters Paradise Summit is an online event, offered several times a year.

Don’t miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jamie Bright and Her Quilting Journey
07:34 Transitioning from Photography to Quilting Business
12:42 Marketing Tips for Quilters
17:41 The Power of Collaborations and Summits
24:40 Creating Effective Presentations for Summits
25:37 Effective Presentation Techniques
29:57 Maximizing Summit Engagement
33:52 Promoting Your Summit Effectively
36:59 Leveraging Affiliate Marketing
39:50 Building Relationships and Community
42:42 Creative Collaboration and Idea Sharing
48:00 Upcoming Events and Opportunities
49:21 Jamie Bright takeaways

Connect with Jamie!

Quilters Playspace Community: Click Here! 

Quilt Patterns: Click Here!

Join email list: Click Here! 

Instagram: Click Here!

Facebook: Click Here!

YouTube: Click here!

Want More Quilting Business Content?
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Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

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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 importance of work-life balance, and the lessons learned along the way, culminating in advice to their past selves.

Don’t miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Business Evolution
03:46 Tori's Transition to Full-Time Business
11:05 Andi's Journey and YouTube Success
17:00 Tori's Rebranding and New Identity
24:12 The Reality of Quilting as a Business
29:43 Work-Life Balance and Daily Routines
36:31 Reflections on Pattern Design
42:32 Advice to Our Past Selves

Want More Quilting Business Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
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📌 Follow us on Instagram

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

Support the show

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