We recently connected with Taylor Krzeszowski and have shared our conversation below.
Taylor, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve known I wanted to work for myself, especially in a creative field. I studied illustration and design in school, dreaming of becoming a freelancer—setting my own schedule and working with clients on a variety of unique projects. I spent almost 10 years as a visual designer in a corporate career before finally taking the leap to work for my own business full-time.
The money in my corporate job was good, but my mental health was not. The work often felt unfulfilling; projects lacked meaning, were left unused, or were abandoned due to decisions from higher-ups. Many of these projects lived in digital spaces and were quickly forgotten, which left me feeling empty creatively.
When I discovered quilting, it reignited my creative spirit. It lit a fire in me, and I knew that, with enough effort, I could one day do it full-time. That opportunity came when my contract with a major tech company in Seattle ended. Instead of finding another corporate role, I decided to take the plunge—and I’ve never looked back.
There are challenges, of course. The income can fluctuate, and some months can feel stressful when finances are tight. But the improvement in my mental health and the fulfillment I get from doing work I’m passionate about are worth far more than the stability of a corporate job.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! I’m Taylor Krz, the creative mind behind Toad & Sew. I’m a quilt designer, maker, and educator based in the Pacific Northwest.
I grew up outside of Philadelphia, PA, as a mix of art student and athlete, never quite fitting into one box. My love for creativity led me to study illustration and graphic design at VCU in Richmond, VA. After graduation, I followed my now-fiancé to Houston, TX, where I began working full-time as a designer. While I enjoyed the creative aspects of my job, I started to feel the itch to do something that was truly my own—a passion project that had meaning and impact.
In 2019, my partner and I moved to Seattle, WA, for a fresh start. The transition was exciting, but it came with its challenges. I was struggling with undiagnosed OCD and ADHD, and when COVID hit, my mental health took a nosedive. That’s when quilting entered my life. What started as a way to keep my hands busy became a lifeline—a creative outlet that reignited my passion and gave me a sense of purpose.
Fast forward to today, and I’m running Toad & Sew full-time! My work focuses on designing bold, modern quilt patterns that inspire creativity and empower others to make something they’re proud of. My first original design, the New Year’s Kiss Quilt, launched in late 2019 and quickly gained recognition, even being featured at QuiltCon 2022 and the International Quilt Festival. Beyond patterns, I’ve recently started teaching classes and workshops to help quilters build confidence in their skills and explore basic color theory techniques they can incorporate into their quilting practice.
A big part of what I do is fostering community through quilting. I run Toad Circle, a quilty book club where fellow makers can come together to share, learn, and connect. It’s a space to talk about quilting books, exchange ideas, and bond over a shared passion for creativity. Building this community has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey, as it brings together people from all walks of life to inspire and support one another.
What sets Toad & Sew apart is the intentionality behind my designs. As a trained artist and designer, I approach quilting with a strong sense of color theory, composition, and storytelling. I aim to create patterns that not only look beautiful but also resonate with the maker, offering them a meaningful and joyful experience.
At the heart of Toad & Sew is community and connection. My brand is named after Toad, our rescue pup who we found on the side of a country road in Texas.
What I’m most proud of is how quilting has helped me reclaim my mental health and how it continues to inspire and uplift others. It’s not just about creating a quilt; it’s about stitching your vision into reality and finding joy in the process. For anyone considering diving into quilting—or looking for a fresh creative spark—I’m here to cheer you on and help you get started!
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Yes, my side hustle did eventually turn into my full-time business, but it took a lot of dedication, trial and error, and some key milestones to get there.
I essentially worked full-time for two years while building my side hustle, Toad & Sew, on nights and weekends. In my first year, I was fortunate to have a solid start in sales, especially for someone new to the market. However, it wasn’t enough to leave my full-time job just yet. I kept at it, balancing my day job with designing, creating, and growing my small business.
After a couple of years, I had a particularly successful product release that changed everything. This success gave me the confidence—and the resources—to hire a virtual assistant. That small but significant step allowed me to scale my business in ways I couldn’t have managed alone. With the extra support, I could focus more on designing, teaching, and growing my community, which really helped propel my business forward.
Another pivotal moment was the launch of Toad Circle, my membership-based quilty book club community. It provided a steady, reliable income stream, which was a game-changer. Knowing I could count on monthly revenue gave me the financial stability I needed to fully commit to Toad & Sew as my main focus.
These milestones, combined with a lot of hard work and the support of my community, have allowed me to take Toad & Sew from a side hustle to a full-time career. I’m so grateful for the journey and excited about what’s still to come!
If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?
Yes, my business has multiple revenue streams that work together to create a sustainable and diversified income. This variety not only supports the growth of Toad & Sew but also allows me to reach a broader audience and offer a range of creative services.
One of my core revenue streams is Toad Circle, a membership-based quilty book club community that provides steady, reliable income. It’s a space where makers can connect, learn, and share their creative journeys, and it’s been a vital part of building a sense of community within my brand.
In addition, I release modern quilt patterns that I sell individually, both directly to customers and wholesale to quilt shops. These patterns are the heart of my business and what initially launched Toad & Sew. I also design custom branding for other small businesses, leveraging my background in graphic design to help others visually tell their stories.
Classes and workshops are another key revenue stream. I love teaching quilters how to build confidence in their skills, explore new techniques, and apply color theory to their projects.
Beyond these, I occasionally release branded merchandise and partner with industry fabric brands. These collaborations allow me to introduce my audience to new products while aligning with companies that share my values and vision.
Each revenue stream plays a unique role in my business, providing both creative fulfillment and financial stability. This diversity has been key to sustaining Toad & Sew and continuing to do what I love full-time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.toadandsew.com
- Instagram: @toadandsew
- Facebook: @toadandsew
- Other: @toadandsew.bsky.social
