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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Woodland Foxes with additional embroidered appliques

Maxine's Woodland Foxes

We absolutely love it when someone sends us a photo of a quilt they’ve made from one of our patterns. Maxine said that she isn’t very confident with appliqué, so...

1 comment

Maxine's Woodland Foxes

We absolutely love it when someone sends us a photo of a quilt they’ve made from one of our patterns. Maxine said that she isn’t very confident with appliqué, so...

1 comment
crafting highlights for September - spinning, crochet, applique, knitting, toymaking, and embroidery

Crafting Goals for September

Are you keeping up with your goals? Have some slipped by... it doesn't really matter if they have, but it is awesome to look back to see what you have...

Crafting Goals for September

Are you keeping up with your goals? Have some slipped by... it doesn't really matter if they have, but it is awesome to look back to see what you have...

applique animal design (tortoise) was used here to create a zentangle design in textile

Mixing things Up - I tried something new!

As Ruth worked with Lee to get her online workshops for Zentangle installed, she knew this was something she would want to try at some point. Finally, that time has...

Mixing things Up - I tried something new!

As Ruth worked with Lee to get her online workshops for Zentangle installed, she knew this was something she would want to try at some point. Finally, that time has...

framing flower blocks is a great idea to make for gifts

Mounting a Flower Block

Isn’t it funny how shopping often leads to discoveries you never planned on? That’s exactly what happened to me.... I was browsing the art section when something unexpected caught my...

Mounting a Flower Block

Isn’t it funny how shopping often leads to discoveries you never planned on? That’s exactly what happened to me.... I was browsing the art section when something unexpected caught my...

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.

2 comments

Angled Seams

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

2 comments
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!

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