Arbee Designs' official blog - all blog posts are written by Ruth Blanchet and often include guest quilters, teachers' quotes, tips and tricks, free patterns, and more! We have more tips, tricks, and free patterns on our lesson pages too.

applique and patchwork quilt block designed by Ruth Blanchet with free instructions at Arbee Designs

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Bring graceful charm to your quilt with the delicate embroidered details of the Camellia flower block

Camellia Block

Ruth had fun with this beautiful applique flower, from start (the drawing stage) to finish (the completed block). Now she needs to think about how to use it in a project!...

Camellia Block

Ruth had fun with this beautiful applique flower, from start (the drawing stage) to finish (the completed block). Now she needs to think about how to use it in a project!...

August 2025 board of crafting updates and highlights

Crafting Goals for August

I feel I may be falling behind a little, but let's see how I got on with August's crafting goals!

Crafting Goals for August

I feel I may be falling behind a little, but let's see how I got on with August's crafting goals!

a simple trick for sewing accurate angled seams

Angled Seams

There is a simple trick to make angled seams match perfectly... explained in this week's blog post.

Angled Seams

There is a simple trick to make angled seams match perfectly... explained in this week's blog post.

Still Life in textile is a fun and exciting way of creating art - join Ruth's online workshop

How to Set Up A Still Life Display

Taking a look inside Ruth's Still Life workshop includes an excerpt of some valuable hints for taking photos of still life for creating textile art.

How to Set Up A Still Life Display

Taking a look inside Ruth's Still Life workshop includes an excerpt of some valuable hints for taking photos of still life for creating textile art.

creating a peony flower block from scratch to stitching the finishing detail

Peony Applique

Creating a detailed peony flower block doesn't have to be as complicated as it looks. Ruth simplifies the pattern for beginners so it can be assembled quickly and easily.

Peony Applique

Creating a detailed peony flower block doesn't have to be as complicated as it looks. Ruth simplifies the pattern for beginners so it can be assembled quickly and easily.

Various ideas for using the BOW flower applique blocks

Flower Block Q&As

What does the back of the flower block look like when you stitch it through the layers? The answer is in this week's blog with suggestions and ideas on how...

Flower Block Q&As

What does the back of the flower block look like when you stitch it through the layers? The answer is in this week's blog with suggestions and ideas on how...

July 2025 crafting board with Ruth's accomplishments

Crafting Goals for July

The year is whizzing past, and I have plenty to do to keep me busy. Let's see what I managed to complete for July...

Crafting Goals for July

The year is whizzing past, and I have plenty to do to keep me busy. Let's see what I managed to complete for July...

step by step instructions for creating Grandmother's puzzle quilt block

Grandmother's Puzzle part 2

In the second part of this Grandmothers Puzzle block we will make the remaining sections and then put all the units together. What a gorgeous quilt block!

Grandmother's Puzzle part 2

In the second part of this Grandmothers Puzzle block we will make the remaining sections and then put all the units together. What a gorgeous quilt block!

part 1 of step by step instructions for Grandmother's Puzzle block

Grandmother's puzzle - free block

A couple of months back, I presented the first free 5-patch block called Four-X Star block, and last month I introduced another called Flying Squares (showing details of how to construct a...

Grandmother's puzzle - free block

A couple of months back, I presented the first free 5-patch block called Four-X Star block, and last month I introduced another called Flying Squares (showing details of how to construct a...

This block can stand alone beautifully in a wall hanging or be included as part of a larger flower garden quilt and made in a number of different techniques either by machine or by hand

Nasturtiums in Applique

This new nasturtium block can stand alone beautifully in a wall hanging or be included as part of a larger flower garden quilt. It’s also perfect for table runners or...

Nasturtiums in Applique

This new nasturtium block can stand alone beautifully in a wall hanging or be included as part of a larger flower garden quilt. It’s also perfect for table runners or...

project board for June 2025 with quilting, embroidery, knitting, crochet, and spinning

Crafting Goals for June

Six months of the year are gone already! Thus far, I've managed to keep up with my crafting goal; however, during June I was away so....

Crafting Goals for June

Six months of the year are gone already! Thus far, I've managed to keep up with my crafting goal; however, during June I was away so....

A nine-year old makes a project bag in less than 2 hours - it's that easy with no handstitching, decorative boxed corners, self-lined pockets, and no-turn handles

Project Bag - Approved by a 9 yr old

A nine-year old makes a project bag in less than 2 hours - it's that easy with decorative boxed corners, self-lined pockets, no handstitching, and no-turn handles.

Project Bag - Approved by a 9 yr old

A nine-year old makes a project bag in less than 2 hours - it's that easy with decorative boxed corners, self-lined pockets, no handstitching, and no-turn handles.

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