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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, how she transitioned her passion into a business, and the challenges she faced along the way, including a significant rejection that ultimately led to her growth as a designer. The conversation delves into the importance of crafting connections with children through sewing, the intricate process of fabric design, and the balance between creativity and business. Jennifer emphasizes the value of community and connection in her work, and she shares exciting new projects aimed at fostering creativity in families.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Quilting and Crafting Journey
01:53 Transitioning from Hobby to Business
05:35 Overcoming Rejection in Fabric Design
10:14 Current Business Ventures and Future Plans
19:23 The Importance of Crafting Connections
23:37 The Fabric Design Process Explained
32:13 Balancing Creativity and Business Tasks
38:38 The Circle of Security and Personal Growth
41:08 Prioritizing Opportunities and Energy Management
47:09 Finding Inspiration in Art and Storytelling
51:55 Connecting with the Community and Future Plans

Connect with Jennifer Long:

• Website: SewaStory.com
• Instagram: @sewastory_jenniferlong
• Facebook: Sew a Story
• Facebook Group: Sew a Story
• YouTube: Sew a Story
• Pattern Club Membership
• Modern Rag Doll Membership

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks and Content?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
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Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

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Summary
In 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 of 'bed rotting' and its connection to sleep trends, as well as Tori's transition to full-time entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into market research strategies, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's ideal customer and engaging with the community. They wrap up by inviting listeners to join their Patreon for deeper engagement and support.

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

Takeaways

• Season five marks a significant milestone for the podcast.
• Tori's experience at H & H was more focused and goal-oriented this year.
• Learning to notice trends can enhance marketing strategies.
• The concept of 'bed rotting' reflects a shift in lifestyle and relaxation.
• Tori has transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship, focusing on course design and digital marketing coaching.
• Understanding your ideal customer is crucial for effective marketing.
• Market research can be simple and quick to conduct.
• Engaging with your audience helps identify trends and needs.
• We offer a community on Patreon that offers deeper engagement and support.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Season Five
02:56 Reflections on H & H Event
04:16 Exploring Trends in Quilting
11:30 The Shift Towards Smaller Projects
13:19 Tori's Leap into Full-Time Business
18:27 Understanding Market Research
25:50 Wrapping Up and Community Engagement

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

Send us a text

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 inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

quilting, podcast, season recap, guest stories, mindset, AI, QuiltCon, economic challenges, community support

Chapters:

00:00 Celebrating Season Four Milestones

02:59 Inspiring Guest Stories

05:50 Mindset Shifts and Business Growth

08:50 Exploring AI in Quilting

11:54 Recap of QuiltCon Experiences

14:56 Navigating Economic Challenges in Quilting

18:03 Community Support and Future Directions

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

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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 motherhood with business pursuits. Dara shares insights on coping strategies, the nature of guilt, and the rewarding aspects of coaching women to improve their lives. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-acceptance, celebrating successes, and the power of choice in managing emotions.

Episode Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Digital Marketing Magic by Tori. Designed to help you create a streamlined system for your digital marketing, DMMC saves you time and energy so you can focus on what you love: being creative. Learn more at Tori’s website: https://www.thequiltpatchbytori.com/dmmc.

Connect with Dara:
Visit daratomasson.com/ to explore her courses, products, and more.
Follow her on Instagram @dara_tomasson for behind-the-scenes and podcast updates.

Mentioned on the Episode: 

Join Dara at  The Quilters Life Summit, happening virtually April 30th through May 2nd! She’ll be teaching classes on perfectionism, over-consuming, and menopause. Tackle your fears and challenges while drawing inspiration from a diverse group of quilters.

Join Dara’s Love Yourself Thin community and embark on a healthier journey alongside members, Andy and Tori! 

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want More Quilting Content?

🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

life coaching, quilting, emotional regulation, mindset, weight loss, business balance, guilt, coping strategies, motherhood, creativity

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Digital Marketing Magic Community

00:38 Dara Thomason: Life Coach for Quilters

01:51 The Shift from Weight Loss to Mindset Coaching

05:36 Understanding Emotional Regulation and Weight Loss

06:34 Coping Strategies: Avoid, Resist, React, Accept

15:50 Balancing Motherhood and Business

17:06 Deciding to Feel: Understanding Guilt

21:44 Celebrating Success and Embracing Emotions

30:41 The Rewarding Aspects of Coaching

33:16 Upcoming Events and Closing Thoughts

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

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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. The conversation highlights the importance of human creativity in conjunction with AI tools, emphasizing the need for effective prompts to maximize AI's potential. They also touch on the role of images in AI and the future of AI in creative industries, providing insights for quilters and crafters looking to integrate technology into their work. 

Episode Sponsor: Want to support the podcast and unlock some amazing perks along the way? Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! As a patron, you’ll get exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and special resources to help you grow on your quilting journey. Whether you're just starting out or you've got years under your belt, there’s something in there just for you. Best of all, your support helps keep the podcast going strong—so thank you! Check it out at: https://www.patreon.com/QuiltingontheSide

Mentioned on the Episode: 

The Importance of Authenticity in Quilting and Crafting

ChatGPT Writes a Quilt Block Pattern

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want More Quilting Content?

🔗  Join Tori's Digital Marketing Coaching for Crafters

🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed

📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter

📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

AI, quilting, ChatGPT, creative processes, technology in crafting, quilting patterns, AI applications, instructional design, digital tools, community engagement, AI, creativity, emotional intelligence, decision-making, digital marketing, SEO, business tools, productivity, technology, innovation

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

Send us a text

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 learned from the event, including customer service strategies and the significance of follow-up communication. The conversation emphasizes the power of networking and collaboration in the quilting community, encouraging listeners to participate in future summits and to keep their audience engaged post-event.

Episode Sponsor: A huge thank you to our episode sponsor, True Blue Quilts! True Blue Quilts has the ultimate library of modern designs that will spark joy for both the quilter and the recipient. Keep reaching your goals with daily reminders by downloading the monthly wallpaper, in a collection of Canva templates! Jump on over to the shop for your next quilting pattern at Monthly Wallpaper {DIGITAL} - True Blue Quilts.

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

quilting, online summit, presentation, customer service, business growth, collaboration, engagement, feedback, promotion, lessons learned

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Quilting Summits

03:00 Andi's Experience at the Quilted Summit

05:52 Presentation Style and Technical Aspects

09:03 Engagement and Customer Service

11:53 Lessons Learned and Business Growth

15:10 Feedback and Memorable Moments

17:55 Promotion Strategies for Summits

20:56 Post-Summit Engagement and Follow-Up

24:09 Advice for Future Summit Participants

26:59 The Power of Collaboration in Quilting

29:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Send us a text

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 into a business during the pandemic. She discusses her marketing strategies, particularly the effectiveness of YouTube, and emphasizes the importance of building trust with her audience before selling her courses. Susan also shares insights from organizing a quilting cruise and her plans for future courses and memberships, highlighting the supportive quilting community she cherishes. 

Things we talked about with Susan:

Tune in to Susan's podcast, Measure Twice, Cut Once, for relaxed conversations about the valuable lessons she and her guests have discovered in life, business, and creativity. You can listen to her podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and via RSS Feed.

Episode Sponsor: A huge thank you to our episode sponsor, EQ8! EQ8 is the ultimate quilt design software that helps bring your creative visions to life. With user-friendly tools for designing, planning, and visualizing quilts, EQ8 is perfect for quilters of all levels. Take your quilting projects to the next level by visiting https://bit.ly/quiltingonthesideEQ8.

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Connect with Susan:

Website: Stitched by Susan

Youtube: @StitchedBySusan

Instagram: @stitchedbysusan

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

quilting, business, YouTube, online courses, quilting cruise, marketing strategies, quilting community, entrepreneurship, Susan Smith, quilting techniques

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Quilting on the Side

01:12 Susan's Quilting Journey: From Family Tradition to Business

05:08 Transitioning to a Quilting Business During the Pandemic

10:04 Marketing Strategies: The Power of YouTube

16:14 The Importance of Building Trust Before Selling

21:03 Organizing a Quilting Cr

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

Send us a text

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, and the differences between trunk shows and technique lectures. 

The conversation also delves into pricing strategies, the necessity of contracts, and how to sell your work without overshadowing the educational aspect of your presentation. Tori shares insights from her book, Workshops Unleashed, providing valuable tips for both new and experienced presenters.

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Episode Sponsor: A huge thank you to our episode sponsor, EQ8! EQ8 is the ultimate quilt design software that helps bring your creative visions to life. With user-friendly tools for designing, planning, and visualizing quilts, EQ8 is perfect for quilters of all levels. Take your quilting projects to the next level by visiting https://bit.ly/quiltingonthesideEQ8.

We’re also excited to feature "Workshops Unleashed" by Tori as today’s sponsor. This comprehensive guidebook is tailored for quilt and craft teachers and packed with valuable insights—even for seasoned instructors. Learn how to develop workshops, market them effectively, and grow a loyal audience. Grab your copy at https://www.thequiltpatchbytori.com/workshopsunleashed.

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords: quilt guilds, presentations, trunk shows, quilting techniques, pricing, contracts, teaching, networking, workshops, quilting community

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

Send us a text

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 the importance of empowering women and supporting their business growth. The discussion covers various topics, including aligning personal values with business goals, the range of services Devan provides, and her experience in organizing a women's summit. They also dive into the challenges of entrepreneurship, stressing the significance of self-worth and authenticity in business. 

Throughout this lively conversation, Tori, Devan, and Andi explore the resilience needed in entrepreneurship, encouraging self-validation and seeing failures as opportunities for growth. They emphasize the value of making data-driven decisions over emotional reactions and how this approach can empower individuals in both creative and business pursuits. The discussion also touches on regenerative business practices, the importance of community, and the role of support in personal and professional development.

Things we talked about with Devan:

• Want to join Devan at Elevate? Join her waitlist to get the details.
• Grab a copy of her book "What's Your Worth? And I Don't Mean Money." 
• Apply to work with her.
• Listen to her podcast: Two Besties with a Mic on Spotify & Apple Podcast

Episode Sponsor: A special thanks to our sponsor, EQ8! EQ8 is the go-to quilt design software that helps bring your creative ideas to life, offering easy-to-use tools for designing, planning, and visualizing your quilts. Check out EQ8 to take your quilting projects to the next level. Visit https://bit.ly/quiltingonthesideEQ8 to get access.

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Guest/Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

women empowerment, entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges, personal development

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and

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In this exciting episode of Quilting on the Side, hosts Andi and Tori bring the energy and excitement of QuiltCon 2025 straight to your earbuds! They hit the ground running with a series of rapid-fire interviews, catching up with quilters, designers, and industry insiders at the renowned quilting convention. From lighthearted questions to quick insights into the creative process, this episode is packed with fun, laughter, and inspiration from the heart of the quilting world.

Featured Guests:

• Jessica Steele @jessicasteeledesign
• Julie @jctquilting
• Amy Dement @amydement
• Katie Kasel @katikat21
• Trish Enloe @thetitltedthimble
• Laura Wipfler  Cactus Crew Scrapbooking Retreats
• Dara Tomasson @dara_tomasson
• Kena Dorsey @kenaquilts
• Jess Finn @paperpiecesepp
• Karlee Porter @karleeporterdesign

Today's Episode is brought to you by:  AccuQuilt

 👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts

• Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori
• Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

• Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.