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What’s New in Social Media This Month (October 2025) Quilting Business Edition

Tori McElwain


This update covers the platform changes we saw in October, so you can use them as guideposts while planning your content and promotions for November and beyond. It’s written especially for quilting business owners - pattern designers, teachers, and longarm service providers - to help you make sense of the noise and pick one or two things to try next month.


A lot is going on, so let’s dive in!


Whether you’re sharing a new quilt pattern, teaching a live workshop, or showing off a beautiful longarm finish, your social media strategy matters. Platforms shift fast, and this month especially, we see more tools, more AI, and more. I’ve pulled together the key updates (and what they mean for your audience, your teaching, and your service bookings) plus a trend watch, summary table, and an action plan.



1. Instagram Stories Reach Bug Fixed

What changed: Instagram confirmed that a bug, which was reducing reach for creators who posted many Stories in one day has now been resolved. (Vavoza)


Why it matters: If you’ve held back on posting multiple Stories per day because “it seemed like nothing was happening,” you can relax a bit. Stories are still a great way to engage your audience - show a behind‐the‐scenes quilt build, a colour-selection process, a quick tutorial - without worrying you’re getting penalised for volume.


What to try:

  • For one day this month, try posting 4–5 Stories: e.g., morning planning, mid-day stitching progress, afternoon colour switch, evening finish reveal.

  • At the end of the day check your Story reach and engagement (taps forward/back, replies).

  • If your audience reacts, you’ve unlocked a mini “Story series” format: “Stitch Day with Me” or “Colour Pull in Real Time”.


2. Instagram: Repost Button + 1 000-Follower Live Rule

What changed: Instagram has fully rolled out its Repost button, letting users share someone else’s post directly to their own feed - similar to a retweet or a share on Facebook. (Vavoza update recap) At the same time, Instagram confirmed that accounts must now have at least 1,000 followers to go Live.

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Why it matters: The Repost feature is a powerful new discovery tool for quilting businesses. When followers share your content to their feeds, it introduces your work - your quilting designs, classes, or longarm results - to entirely new audiences with built-in trust. It’s essentially digital word-of-mouth.The 1 000-follower Live rule, however, makes it trickier for small accounts to host shows or live demos.


What to try:

  • Create repost-worthy content. Post something that’s instantly helpful or inspiring - like a quilting tip graphic, colour-pull reel, or short motivational quote for makers. Add a note in your caption: “Quilt friends - feel free to repost this to your feed if it speaks to you!”

  • Encourage sharing between peers. Tag or shout out other quilting businesses to create a culture of mutual reposting - great for helping smaller creators grow toward that 1 000-follower threshold.

  • Run a “Help Me Go Live” drive. If you’re under 1 000 followers, make it a fun challenge: “When we hit 1 000, I’ll host our first live trunk show!” Offer a small incentive (e.g., a mini-pattern PDF) once you reach the goal.

  • Collaborate strategically. Ask larger accounts to co-post or share your reels - co-posts count toward both feeds and can accelerate follower growth.

  • Cross-share tutorials. Repost clips from other teachers (with credit) and add your insight in the caption. It keeps your feed valuable and active, even on lighter content-creation weeks.


3. YouTube’s “Made on YouTube 2025” Creator Tools

What changed: YouTube has rolled out new tools under its “Made on YouTube 2025” umbrella: AI-enhanced creation (animate stills, restyle clips), improved Studio features (Trend insights, A/B/C thumbnail testing), and better monetisation options for live/podcast content. (BrandNation)


Why it matters: If you teach quilt workshops, show longarm demonstrations, or share pattern walk-throughs, this means you can streamline video production and get smarter about what performs well. Better thumbnails = more views; AI tools = less time fiddling with edits.


What to try:

  • Pick one past video clip (e.g., a 10-minute longarm demo) and test turning a key portion (say, colour change + quilt loading) into a short “highlight clip” using YouTube’s options.

  • Use A/B thumbnail testing: try one with a close-up of the quilt design vs. one with you holding the finished quilt, and track which gets more clicks.

  • Monitor the “Inspiration Tab” (if available) to see what quilt/DIY content trends are hot and lean into that in your next upload.


4. TikTok Launches AI Creator Tools + Better Revenue Share

What changed: TikTok announced new AI tools - “Smart Split” to turn longer videos into multiple shorts, and “AI Outline” to help generate titles, hooks, hashtags. Plus they upped the subscription revenue-share for creators (up to 90% qualified) in North America. (TikTok Newsroom) TikTok also limited hashtags to 5, encouraging more strategic content creation.


Why it matters: Short-form video is huge in quilting: quick pattern reveals, “see how I quilt this block,” before/after longarm shots. These tools simplify content creation and production and give you more chances to monetise (e.g., exclusive content for loyal students).


What to try:

  • Take a longer “full process” video (e.g., prepping a quilt, stitching it out) and use Smart Split to create 3–5 short clips: one for colour selection, one for quilting motif in action, one for finished quilt reveal.

  • Use AI Outline to craft compelling hooks like: “3 colour pulls you’ll wish you tried”, “Watch how I quilt feathers faster”, “From pile of fabric to finished quilt in 60 seconds”.

  • If you have a mailing list or pattern subscription, consider an exclusive TikTok subscriber-only clip (e.g., “bonus pro tip for pattern designers”).


5. Meta Platforms (Facebook) Reels Upgrade

What changed: Threads is overtaking X (formerly Twitter) in popularity. Meta is making big changes to Facebook Reels - more short video content surfaced, improved recommendations engine, and “friend bubbles” showing friends who liked a video for easier chat and sharing. (The Verge)


Why it matters: If you use Facebook for your business (pattern-designer group, quilt-shop page, longarm service updates), this shift means short video (Reels) will be more important than traditional longer posts/photos. The algorithm is prioritising recent, relevant video content.


What to try:

  • Create a short Reel (under 30 seconds) showing something like “before longarm”, “quilting motif close-up”, or “pattern tip you didn’t know”.

  • Post it and immediately ask followers to tag a friend who’d love that tip (leveraging “friend bubble” sharing).

  • Track whether you get more shares or comments than usual photo posts. If yes, consider making Reels a key format (2-3 per month) for your Facebook page.


6. Pinterest (Bonus Spot) Visual Discovery Boost

What changed: While not tied to one big headline this month, Pinterest continues to emphasise visual discovery and Idea Pins - especially for niches like crafts and quilting - and is integrating more AI-driven suggestions for creators. (From broader trend reports) (Hootsuite)


Why it matters: Quilting businesses live in the visual world - finished quilts, colour combos, pattern layouts. Pinterest is an excellent channel for pattern designers and quilting teachers to reach people who are planning their next project. If Pinterest’s discovery algorithm is improving, that means you have a better shot at being seen.


What to try:

  • Create an Idea Pin: e.g., Step 1-3 of making a quilt block plus a “swipe up to pattern” link.

  • Use a keyword/caption that matches what people are searching: “modern scrap quilt pattern”, “longarm motif ideas for beginners”. Learn more about keywords on my blog here.

  • Pin it, then check how long it continues to drive traffic over weeks (since Pinterest lifespan is longer than some other platforms).


Bonus: Coming December: Meta Uses AI Chats for Personalisation & Ads

What will change: Starting December 16, Meta will begin using conversations with its AI to shape what users see in their feeds and which ads they’re shown (Fuelled Agency). It applies to Facebook and Instagram content recommendations and advertising signals. There’s no opt-out if you use Meta AI. (Rollout excludes the EU, UK, and South Korea - for now.)


Why it matters:If your customers use Meta AI (“Ask Meta AI” in search or Messenger), their prompts—like “how to make a scrappy quilt” or “best thread for longarm quilting”—could now shape the content and ads they see. That means your marketing can align with conversational topics rather than only clicks or follows.


What to try:

  • Leverage conversational signals. Try AI-friendly content: Q&A reels, polls, and captions written as questions (“Looking for a modern quilt layout idea?”). These mirror the style of AI chats.

  • Test ad language that reads like a dialogue rather than a billboard. Example: “Need ideas for your next quilt class? Let’s plan it together.”

  • Double down on owned and organic assets. Use your website, newsletter, and private community to insulate yourself from algorithm shifts—especially if future regions restrict AI ads.

  • Experiment early. Try any new “Ask Meta AI” or ad-creative tools as soon as they appear; early adopters often gain extra reach.

  • Keep short-form video at the core. Meta still favours Reels and quick clips for reach. Combine AI-inspired prompts with short-form demos (e.g., “Watch how to finish this binding in 60 seconds”).


Trend Watch

Here are broader trends you’ll want to keep an eye on for quilting-business social media strategy:

  • Generative AI becomes a standard part of content creation - not just “nice to have.” (Hootsuite)

  • Micro-virality and trend-jacking in niche content (rather than broad mass virality) provide real wins. (Hootsuite) Like converting trending auto to fit your niche. Click here for an example.

  • Short-form video (under ~60 seconds) continues to dominate across platforms (TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts).

  • Visual discovery is increasing: platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are letting users find ideas, not just scroll feeds (like having them curate their own feeds).

  • Creator monetisation tools are expanding - subscription models, exclusive content, revenue shares - so your audience can become paying champs (not just free followers - not sure how this will go, but it'll be interesting to track).

  • User trust and authenticity matter more: audiences are tuning in to creators who feel real (pattern-designer journaling, teacher “behind-the-scenes”, longarm service tips) rather than “perfectly polished”.


Summary Table:

Platform

Key Update

Why It Matters for Quilting Businesses

Instagram Stories

Stories Reach Bug Fixed 

Your daily stories are no longer throttled - great for sharing behind-the-scenes quilting, color pulls, and progress shots without reach loss.

Instagram Feed

Repost Button + 1,000-Follower Live Rule 

Reposts expand reach via followers’ feeds → free “word-of-mouth.” Lives now require 1,000 followers, making collaboration crucial for small accounts.

YouTube

“Made on YouTube 2025” Creator Tools 

AI tools reduce editing time and improve analytics → more time quilting, less tech stress.

TikTok

AI Creator Tools + 90% Revenue Share + Hashtag Limit (5) 

Short-form video remains essential. AI tools streamline content and monetization; hashtag limit means quality over quantity.

Facebook (Meta)

Reels Upgrade + “Friend Bubbles” 

Reels are prioritized for reach. “Friend bubbles” boost social proof when someone’s quilt-buddy likes your content.

Pinterest

AI-Enhanced Visual Discovery & Idea Pins 

Pinterest is still the top planning platform for quilters. Improved AI means your Idea Pins can stay discoverable longer.

Coming December – Meta AI Change

Meta Uses AI Chats for Personalisation & Ads 

Conversations in Meta AI will shape feeds and ad targeting - content aligned with chat topics will perform better.



Monthly Action Plan

Here are practical tasks you can plan for this month to turn these updates into actions:

  1. Choose one day this month to do a Story-series on Instagram: morning/mid-day/afternoon/evening stitching-process updates.

  2. On YouTube, pick one existing video and run a thumbnail A/B test.

  3. On TikTok, take one longer video (maybe a class “how to” or longarm session) and use Smart Split/AI Outline to create 3 micro-clips; publish across a week.

  4. On Facebook, create one new Reel (30 sec or less) showing a quick tip (e.g., edge-to-edge longarm motif) and ask viewers to tag a friend who quilts.

  5. On Pinterest, design an Idea Pin around a new pattern (e.g., “5 scrap-friendly blocks”) with keywords like “modern scrap quilt pattern” and link to your pattern page.

  6. Audit your subscriber/monetisation options: If you have a teaching list or pattern membership, explore making one piece of exclusive content this month (e.g., a subscriber-only tutorial clip on TikTok or YouTube).

  7. Monitor what types of content get engagement: note which platforms gave better reach this month vs last and adjust your mix accordingly.

  8. Reserve one hour to browse trending topics (via YouTube’s Inspiration Tab or TikTok trending page) and plan one “trend-based” video for next month (e.g., a motif design linked to a viral pattern or colour trend).


Want help turning these updates into a tailored strategy for your quilting business? I’d love to offer you a free 30-minute strategy session where we’ll map out HOW to apply these platform updates to your patterns, your classes, or your longarm service.



Disclaimer: This report was generated with AI and reviewed by Tori. It’s for informational purposes only and does not guarantee specific results. Platform features and algorithms change frequently—always test and monitor for your own business context.


Sources & Further Reading

(October 2025 Edition – “What’s New in Social Media: Quilting Business Edition”)


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