Articles written by Christine Mann

Machine quilting in poor light can cause tired eyes and headaches. Use good task and ambient lighting to reduce eyestrain and make quilting more fun.

Mar 19, 2011 - Christine Mann

Secure a quilt's three layers together by sewing along a quilt top's seam lines, also called "stitching in the ditch." Step-by-step guide with photos.

Feb 22, 2011 - Christine Mann

Give your quilt an elegant, lived-in look that fits perfectly with shabby chic decor. Includes guide to fabric selection and gallery of quilts and fabrics.

Feb 20, 2011 - Christine Mann

Learn to make an easy rag quilt that's warmer than other rag quilts and generates less lint because it is backed with fleece fabric instead of flannel.

Feb 14, 2011 - Christine Mann

Whether it's called a Prairie Braid Quilt, Pioneer Braid Quilt, or French Braid Quilt, this easy, elegant quilt is a quick way to use up quilt fabric strips

Feb 4, 2011 - Christine Mann

Making a Valentine's quilt? Try these three easy heart-motif machine quilting designs - Hearts and Loops, Echo Hearts, and Double Heart Borders.

Jan 29, 2011 - Christine Mann

Sew protective Kindle cases and covers in about an hour and save a bundle! Complete step-by-step project instructions include photos and supply list.

Jan 25, 2011 - Christine Mann

One of the fastest ways to baste a quilt is by gluing the quilt layers together with an adhesive spray that washes out after quilting is finished.

Jan 6, 2011 - Christine Mann

Make a fresh start by clearing the unfinished projects out of your quilting room. Here's a simple, achievable plan for reducing your pile of quilt UFOs.

Dec 30, 2010 - Christine Mann

Learn how to use quilter's safety pins to secure a quilt's three layers together before machine quilting or hand quilting. Pin basting is easy to learn.

Dec 15, 2010 - Christine Mann

Take the drudgery out of quilt basting by using fusible quilt batting, basting spray, or a quilter's basting gun. Learn the pros and cons of each method.

Dec 11, 2010 - Christine Mann

These easy designs for machine quilting - Stipple, Loop the Loop, and Leaves - are perfect for quilt borders or as overall patterns on homemade quilts.

Dec 4, 2010 - Christine Mann

Looking for special table decorations for Christmas? Make these easy-to-sew, reversible red placemats. Personalized placemats make great Christmas gifts.

Dec 2, 2010 - Christine Mann

Before you start free motion quilting, adjust the settings on your sewing machine for quilting and make sure you are using the proper attachments.

Oct 31, 2010 - Christine Mann

Pre-printed fabric panels offer the perfect canvas for practicing free-motion machine quilting or free-motion embroidery designs and techniques.

Oct 25, 2010 - Christine Mann

Use leftover fabric strips to add quilt borders to any size homemade quilt. Step-by-step photo instructions for sewing string quilt borders.

Oct 18, 2010 - Christine Mann

Detailed instructions with photos show you how to make twelve 11½" Log Cabin blocks with fast strip-piecing methods. Includes fabric yardage requirements.

Oct 12, 2010 - Christine Mann

Step-by-step instructions for starching, cutting, layering and gluing the fabrics on a landscape fabric collage.

Sep 27, 2010 - Christine Mann

Drawing a pattern for a landscape fabric collage helps you create a design that works and also makes it easier to sew the landscape quilt.

Sep 25, 2010 - Christine Mann

Quilt size guidelines for artist trading cards, fabric postcards, quilt wall hangings, landscape quilts, fiber art. Quilt size chart using the Golden Ratio.

Sep 22, 2010 - Christine Mann

Learn five simple secrets of designing a landscape fabric collage that becomes an unforgettable work of art, even if this is your first landscape quilt.

Sep 14, 2010 - Christine Mann

Make a whole quilt's worth of this easy Log Cabin quilt block variation in a surprisingly short time, using fast strip piecing methods for speedy sewing.

Sep 6, 2010 - Christine Mann

This easy, colorful pillowcase has a clever twist: a simple way to enclose the seams so there are no raw edges, inside or out. Great gift or kids' project.

Aug 27, 2010 - Christine Mann

Learn to choose fabrics that masquerade convincingly as trees, rocks, grass, water, or sky. Use fabric to give your landscapes a unique and appealing style.

Aug 22, 2010 - Christine Mann

Green is the color of life, of growing things, of fertility and freshness. Learn how to combine green fabrics with other colors to make memorable quilts.

Aug 3, 2010 - Christine Mann

Blue is a cool, soothing color that symbolizes honesty, loyalty, and patriotism. Learn how to combine blue with other colors to make beautiful quilts.

Jul 31, 2010 - Christine Mann

Learn to make this colorful quilt block from easy flying geese units, and how to use fabric choices to create a variety of different quilt looks.

Jul 29, 2010 - Christine Mann

Learn to make this essential quilt block from two half-square triangle units. It's an easy way to make flying geese blocks in any size you need.

Jul 13, 2010 - Christine Mann

Learn how to make this simple, indispensable quilt block from two contrasting fabrics. Use Flying Geese blocks to dress up quilt borders or sashing strips.

Jul 8, 2010 - Christine Mann

Sew this quick and charming block from four half-square triangle blocks. Pinwheel blocks are favorites for baby quilts and quilts for children.

Jun 30, 2010 - Christine Mann

Step-by-step instructions for making a single continuous strip of flexible binding to finish curved edges or make piping for sewing or quilting.

Jun 26, 2010 - Christine Mann

Show off the t-shirts in a memory quilt by framing them in an easy Log Cabin quilt block that makes a great-looking quilt and can be strip pieced for speed.

Jun 19, 2010 - Christine Mann

Quilt even the biggest quilt on your regular sewing machine by assembling the quilt in sections, quilting each part separately, and joining the sections.

Jun 9, 2010 - Christine Mann

Step-by-step instructions and photos showing how to attach appliqué shapes to a fabric background with iron-on fusible web and machine sewing.

May 17, 2010 - Christine Mann

Easy technique uses fusible interfacing to marry the hand stitched look of needle turn appliqué with the speed and convenience of fusible appliqué.

May 13, 2010 - Christine Mann

Step by step instructions for using strip piecing techniques to make a whole quilt's worth of 6½", 9½", or 12½" Windmill blocks in a very short time.

May 10, 2010 - Christine Mann

Some t-shirt quilts look boring or even downright ugly. Make yours beautiful with a little planning and by adding elements from traditional quilts.

May 6, 2010 - Christine Mann

Interested in printing on fabric with an ink jet printer? Save money by making the printing fabric yourself, instead of buying costly pretreated sheets.

May 4, 2010 - Christine Mann

Learn how to use an ink jet printer and pretreated ink jet printer fabric to print favorite photos for sewing or making photo memory quilts.

May 3, 2010 - Christine Mann

T-shirt fabric is stretchy. It needs to be stabilized before it can be sewed into a memory quilt. Learn how to prepare shirts for t-shirt quilting.

Apr 19, 2010 - Christine Mann

Learn to make this traditional favorite block that works equally well with scrappy fabrics, Christmas fabrics, or a palette of contrasting quilt fabrics.

Apr 8, 2010 - Christine Mann

Use a sewing machine's bar tack stitch or decorative stitches to fasten a quilt's layers permanently in place instead of machine quilting or hand tying.

Apr 7, 2010 - Christine Mann

This basic quilt block is made of nine small fabric squares arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Strip-piecing techniques make nine-patch quilts easy.

Apr 6, 2010 - Christine Mann

Quick strip piecing techniques and 1½" quilt fabric strips make postage stamp quilts simple to make - no need to piece hundreds of tiny individual quilting squares.

Mar 25, 2010 - Christine Mann

A popular member of the Log Cabin quilt block family, Courthouse Steps blocks can be arranged to create a variety of quilt settings with very different looks.

Mar 23, 2010 - Christine Mann

Use quilt fabric strips and simple strip piecing techniques to make a whole quilt's worth of Courthouse Steps blocks in a very short time.

Mar 22, 2010 - Christine Mann

Why choke the landfill with paper table napkins when it's so easy to make your own? These fabric napkins are simple to sew and make great hostess or housewarming gifts.

Mar 11, 2010 - Christine Mann

Quick strip piecing techniques and quilt fabric strips help quilters make a whole quilt's worth of Four-Patch blocks in a very short time.

Mar 8, 2010 - Christine Mann

The Dixie Chicks' long hiatus shows no signs of ending, but two of the three Dixie Chicks still want to make new music. The result is the Court Yard Hounds' first album.

Feb 23, 2010 - Christine Mann

A good hand needle is the most important tool for hand appliqué. Learn about the different types of hand sewing needles that are most popular for stitching appliqué.

Feb 22, 2010 - Christine Mann