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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crafting update for February 2026 to include  applique, crochet, cross-stitch, diamond embroidery, embroidery, knitting, painting, patchwork, spinning

Crafting Update – Steady Progress & Fresh Starts

I’m really enjoying this gentler approach for 2026, where I simply check in with each project and keep things moving. There’s definitely something deeply satisfying about seeing progress across multiple...

2 comments

Crafting Update – Steady Progress & Fresh Starts

I’m really enjoying this gentler approach for 2026, where I simply check in with each project and keep things moving. There’s definitely something deeply satisfying about seeing progress across multiple...

2 comments
quilting tips and tricks to finish your quilts on your home sewing machine

Sharing Some Quilting Tips

Quilting large projects doesn’t have to feel like a wrestling match. A little thought put into your setup and preparation can make the entire experience smoother, more comfortable, and more...

Sharing Some Quilting Tips

Quilting large projects doesn’t have to feel like a wrestling match. A little thought put into your setup and preparation can make the entire experience smoother, more comfortable, and more...

Sometimes you just want to get to the fun bits faster so here's some ideas on how to make a trellis background

Blooming Trellis: A Fresh Take on a Favorite Qu...

Blooming Trellis is one of those quilt designs that instantly feels cheerful and structured at the same time. The floral design has movement and personality, while the trellis background gives...

Blooming Trellis: A Fresh Take on a Favorite Qu...

Blooming Trellis is one of those quilt designs that instantly feels cheerful and structured at the same time. The floral design has movement and personality, while the trellis background gives...

Pat Daniels released a new eBook called "Crystal Quilts - Foundation Paper Piecing the Easy Way" with these five patterns included in it

About Crystal Quilts - Foundation Paper Piecing...

Whether you’re a confident piecer or a newer quilter eager to build skills with clear, foolproof instructions, these five patterns open up a world of creative potential and quilting joy.

About Crystal Quilts - Foundation Paper Piecing...

Whether you’re a confident piecer or a newer quilter eager to build skills with clear, foolproof instructions, these five patterns open up a world of creative potential and quilting joy.

crafting update number 1 for 2026 to include quilting, knitting, embroidery, spinning and more

Crafting Through 2026: A Gentler, More Creative...

Rather than working toward specific challenges, 2026 is all about low-key creativity. I’ll still be crafting regularly, but without the weight of deadlines...

Crafting Through 2026: A Gentler, More Creative...

Rather than working toward specific challenges, 2026 is all about low-key creativity. I’ll still be crafting regularly, but without the weight of deadlines...

strawberry block stitching with machine embroidery threads

A Sweet New BOW Bloom: Strawberry plus Table To...

This month’s BOW flower block has taken a slight turn from my usual flowers, and I couldn’t be more delighted to share it with you.

A Sweet New BOW Bloom: Strawberry plus Table To...

This month’s BOW flower block has taken a slight turn from my usual flowers, and I couldn’t be more delighted to share it with you.

crafting goals for 2025 completed include applique, knitting, crochet, embroidery, spinning, and toymaking

2025 Craft Recap: A Year of Making, Learning an...

In 2025, Ruth set herself some rather big crafting goals, then undertook the process of sharing her achievements each month. Whether it was ticking off knitting or crochet items from...

2025 Craft Recap: A Year of Making, Learning an...

In 2025, Ruth set herself some rather big crafting goals, then undertook the process of sharing her achievements each month. Whether it was ticking off knitting or crochet items from...

While this recap focuses on all the diverse crafts I blogged about this year, my ongoing flower block series was a major project in 2025 — with one new flower released every month.

Looking Back at 2025: Quilt Patterns and BOW Ap...

Discover a recap of 2025’s quilt pattern releases, including monthly BOW appliqué blocks, the Sweet Pea remake, the Foundation Pieced Christmas Tree, and inspiring ebooks for quilters.

Looking Back at 2025: Quilt Patterns and BOW Ap...

Discover a recap of 2025’s quilt pattern releases, including monthly BOW appliqué blocks, the Sweet Pea remake, the Foundation Pieced Christmas Tree, and inspiring ebooks for quilters.

December 2025 achievements in quilting, knitting, crochet, spinning, embroidery, and toy making

Crafting Goals for December

The very last month of 2025 was extremely busy for Ruth, yet somehow she still managed to complete her 2025 crafty goals. Here's how the last month ended...

Crafting Goals for December

The very last month of 2025 was extremely busy for Ruth, yet somehow she still managed to complete her 2025 crafty goals. Here's how the last month ended...

creating alternative borders for a patchwork quilt

Alternative Borders

Have you ever run short of fabric for a border? Or do not have enough fabric to cut lengthwise and do not want joins in the border strips? Here's an...

Alternative Borders

Have you ever run short of fabric for a border? Or do not have enough fabric to cut lengthwise and do not want joins in the border strips? Here's an...

Grab this block for our Christmas Block Party

Foundation Pieced Christmas Tree pattern

This little tree is simple, stylish, and perfect for festive sewing. Whether you make it as a mini wall hanging, a mug rug, or include it in a holiday sampler,...

Foundation Pieced Christmas Tree pattern

This little tree is simple, stylish, and perfect for festive sewing. Whether you make it as a mini wall hanging, a mug rug, or include it in a holiday sampler,...

Celebrating 75 BOW flower blocks - pohutukawa is the 75th

Pohutukawa (NZ Christmas tree) Block

The Pōhutukawa, often called New Zealand’s Christmas tree, bursts into brilliant crimson blooms just as summer arrives. This beauty makes up the 75th flower block in the BOW flower series.

Pohutukawa (NZ Christmas tree) Block

The Pōhutukawa, often called New Zealand’s Christmas tree, bursts into brilliant crimson blooms just as summer arrives. This beauty makes up the 75th flower block in the BOW flower series.

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