Arbee Designs' official blog - all blog posts are written by Ruth Blanchet and often include guest quilters, teacher's quotes, tips and tricks, free patterns and more! We have more tip, 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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There are five basic characteristics that make a quilt a traditional "Hawaiian" quilt.

Five Basic Characteristics in a Hawaiian Quilt

Nancy Chong is the expert when it comes to Hawaiian quilts so today I'm sharing some her knowledge that you'll find in her Hawaiian Quilting 101 ebook.

Five Basic Characteristics in a Hawaiian Quilt

Nancy Chong is the expert when it comes to Hawaiian quilts so today I'm sharing some her knowledge that you'll find in her Hawaiian Quilting 101 ebook.

enhancement for quilt pattern

An In Depth Look At “A Freshness Of Spring” Quilt

The story behind "A Freshness of Spring" quilt, how it was enhance years later and alternative options to use including a bed quilt option. Read about how the quilt metamorphosed...

An In Depth Look At “A Freshness Of Spring” Quilt

The story behind "A Freshness of Spring" quilt, how it was enhance years later and alternative options to use including a bed quilt option. Read about how the quilt metamorphosed...

zentangle drawing of mushrooms by Lee Vause

Zentangle Mushrooms - what a delight

Lee Vause took a little time out tangling - a simple drawing to keep her drawing skills at a reasonable level while also promoting her brain activity!!! What a delightful creation this...

Zentangle Mushrooms - what a delight

Lee Vause took a little time out tangling - a simple drawing to keep her drawing skills at a reasonable level while also promoting her brain activity!!! What a delightful creation this...

wading heron is the quilt pattern used in this image

What's tunneling and How to Overcome It

Zigzag capabilities are available on even the most basic machines and though it is a simple stitch it can be used in many different ways. An open zigzag can be...

What's tunneling and How to Overcome It

Zigzag capabilities are available on even the most basic machines and though it is a simple stitch it can be used in many different ways. An open zigzag can be...

Ideas for you to create as Christmas gifts

My Christmas Check List

To help you along with your list, I thought I'd list all the simple and easy gifts you can make for Christmas this year. This also helps me organize myself so...

My Christmas Check List

To help you along with your list, I thought I'd list all the simple and easy gifts you can make for Christmas this year. This also helps me organize myself so...

Clay's Choice quilt block and variations

Clay's Choice quilt block or not

I was looking through the lesson of an old class I used to teach trying to decide which patchwork block I could use to make a new Christmas Tree Skirt. (I'm currently updating...

Clay's Choice quilt block or not

I was looking through the lesson of an old class I used to teach trying to decide which patchwork block I could use to make a new Christmas Tree Skirt. (I'm currently updating...

how a calla lily quilt was inspired

My "Light Upon the Earth" quilt story

In general, my designs usually start out by seeing something or being asked a question. In the case of "Light Upon the Earth", I was asked, have you thought of...

1 comment

My "Light Upon the Earth" quilt story

In general, my designs usually start out by seeing something or being asked a question. In the case of "Light Upon the Earth", I was asked, have you thought of...

1 comment
free motion zigzag used in the Brittingham Applique technique

Free Motion Zigzag and Satin Stitching

Did you know that zigzag stitching and satin stitching can be done in free motion mode? Most often these stitches are executed using regular stitching mode with feed dogs engaged,...

2 comments

Free Motion Zigzag and Satin Stitching

Did you know that zigzag stitching and satin stitching can be done in free motion mode? Most often these stitches are executed using regular stitching mode with feed dogs engaged,...

2 comments
my design challenge with Hoffman Fabrics

Hoffman Fabrics - the designing challenge

https://www.learntoapplique.com/admin/pages/edit/show/71 When I lived in the States, one of my fabric things I loved to do was visit Hoffman Fabrics and make them a quilt for their Quilt Market booth....

Hoffman Fabrics - the designing challenge

https://www.learntoapplique.com/admin/pages/edit/show/71 When I lived in the States, one of my fabric things I loved to do was visit Hoffman Fabrics and make them a quilt for their Quilt Market booth....

12 top tips in quilting you need to know

12 Top Quilting Tips

Today I want to share 12 quilting tips to help you in your quilting projects. When cutting out your pattern - cut larger sections first: if a mistake is made, sometimes a...

12 Top Quilting Tips

Today I want to share 12 quilting tips to help you in your quilting projects. When cutting out your pattern - cut larger sections first: if a mistake is made, sometimes a...

No ruler strip cutting, have you tried it?

No ruler strip cutting, have you tried it?

It is so fast to cut strips like this. They create interest and movement in your quilt. This is the technique I used to create this adorable fox quilt called Woodland Foxes....

No ruler strip cutting, have you tried it?

It is so fast to cut strips like this. They create interest and movement in your quilt. This is the technique I used to create this adorable fox quilt called Woodland Foxes....

fabric ideas for a new bargello quilt

A New Bargello Quilt?

If you have ever made a Bargello quilt before you will know that it is made up of color runs (or shades of color ranging from light to dark, or...

7 comments

A New Bargello Quilt?

If you have ever made a Bargello quilt before you will know that it is made up of color runs (or shades of color ranging from light to dark, or...

7 comments

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