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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creating your own fabric

Creating Your Own Fabric

Most of us have a big stash of fabric but often we still don't have the right fabric or a piece is simply not large enough so I created my...

Creating Your Own Fabric

Most of us have a big stash of fabric but often we still don't have the right fabric or a piece is simply not large enough so I created my...

Bargello Swirls - the quilt pattern

Bargello Swirls - the quilt pattern

Bargello Swirls is a bargello design I created in 2011 using Hoffman Fabrics. There was one piece of equipment that I needed for this Bargello design - a wedge ruler. 

Bargello Swirls - the quilt pattern

Bargello Swirls is a bargello design I created in 2011 using Hoffman Fabrics. There was one piece of equipment that I needed for this Bargello design - a wedge ruler. 

Selecting and Grading Fabrics From Light To Dark

Selecting and Grading Fabrics From Light To Dark

One of the biggest problems my students have when making a bargello quilt is selecting the fabric and then grading the fabrics from light to dark. This will also be helpful...

Selecting and Grading Fabrics From Light To Dark

One of the biggest problems my students have when making a bargello quilt is selecting the fabric and then grading the fabrics from light to dark. This will also be helpful...

Bargello Piecing Tip

Bargello Piecing Tip

A lot of thought goes into designing a Bargello quilt. It is not just a matter of drawing a few lines or curves. As you design you will discover how one...

Bargello Piecing Tip

A lot of thought goes into designing a Bargello quilt. It is not just a matter of drawing a few lines or curves. As you design you will discover how one...

Seychelle Seahorses by Linda Schmidt

Linda's Amazing Water Quilts

In this week's blog post, I wanted to share some of Linda Schmidt's amazing water quilts as Linda talks about the different techniques she teaches in her Waves and Waterfalls online...

Linda's Amazing Water Quilts

In this week's blog post, I wanted to share some of Linda Schmidt's amazing water quilts as Linda talks about the different techniques she teaches in her Waves and Waterfalls online...

Quilter's Glossary and Tutorials

Quilter's Glossary and Tutorials

Over the weekend I've been updating our Quilter's Glossary and a number of tutorials we have available. It's been a time consuming task to say the least!

1 comment

Quilter's Glossary and Tutorials

Over the weekend I've been updating our Quilter's Glossary and a number of tutorials we have available. It's been a time consuming task to say the least!

1 comment
The Value of Value

The Value of Value

Value is the lightness or darkness of a color.  In the quilting world,  value means the relative lightness or darkness of a fabric.  The word relative is used because the value...

The Value of Value

Value is the lightness or darkness of a color.  In the quilting world,  value means the relative lightness or darkness of a fabric.  The word relative is used because the value...

stained glass applique patterns and workshops

Easy and Quick Quilts to Gift

This week I decided to mention some really quick and easy small quilts to make for gifts to give. These quilts go together fast and it's surprisingly how quick you...

Easy and Quick Quilts to Gift

This week I decided to mention some really quick and easy small quilts to make for gifts to give. These quilts go together fast and it's surprisingly how quick you...

The Rose quilt made using Hoffman Fabrics

My Rose Applique

Many quilters don't know that the majority of my applique stitching is raw edge. Even just recently, when I was showing some of my applique flowers, a number of quilters...

3 comments

My Rose Applique

Many quilters don't know that the majority of my applique stitching is raw edge. Even just recently, when I was showing some of my applique flowers, a number of quilters...

3 comments
Ruth's layered applique technique is displayed in this quilt "Native NZ"

My Layered Applique Technique

Traditional appliqué begins with a background fabric and adds shapes to the surface to create a design. I throw that idea out the window in this modern approach to creating...

2 comments

My Layered Applique Technique

Traditional appliqué begins with a background fabric and adds shapes to the surface to create a design. I throw that idea out the window in this modern approach to creating...

2 comments
how to make simple pictures using a hoop

A Second Butterfly Hoop

From the first experience of working with these hoops, I definitely learned a thing or two. For one, allow a bit more seam allowance when testing a theory!

A Second Butterfly Hoop

From the first experience of working with these hoops, I definitely learned a thing or two. For one, allow a bit more seam allowance when testing a theory!

simple butterfly frame how-to

A Series of Small Projects - Decorative Pictures

I've been thinking about small gift ideas for Christmas. I have so many 'big' ideas but never start soon enough to get them made for Christmas! So today I'm going...

A Series of Small Projects - Decorative Pictures

I've been thinking about small gift ideas for Christmas. I have so many 'big' ideas but never start soon enough to get them made for Christmas! So today I'm going...

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