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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picking the perfect colors for an art quilt

From Photo to Fabric: Choosing the Perfect Quil...

After a bit of editing to improve the composition, I printed it out... and now I'd like to focus on one of the most important elements: the background and its...

From Photo to Fabric: Choosing the Perfect Quil...

After a bit of editing to improve the composition, I printed it out... and now I'd like to focus on one of the most important elements: the background and its...

how I transformed one of my photos into the right composition for an art quilt

From Photo to Fabric: Designing an Art Quilt

Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing how I transformed one of my photos into an art quilt. To begin, let’s take a closer look at the photo I’m using...

From Photo to Fabric: Designing an Art Quilt

Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing how I transformed one of my photos into an art quilt. To begin, let’s take a closer look at the photo I’m using...

March's crafty updates include a number of different projects finished including BOW flower block, knitted shawl, socks, and jersey, and finished embroidered Egg House

March Crafting Update: Progress, Projects & Pla...

March has been a month full of creativity and steady progress! From quilting and knitting to embroidery, spinning, and more, it’s been wonderful to see each project grow a little...

March Crafting Update: Progress, Projects & Pla...

March has been a month full of creativity and steady progress! From quilting and knitting to embroidery, spinning, and more, it’s been wonderful to see each project grow a little...

This Cherry Blossom block captures that sense of softness and simplicity, bringing a touch of nature into your stitching.

Cherry Blossom Applique Block

This Cherry Blossom block captures that sense of softness and simplicity, bringing a touch of nature into your stitching.

Cherry Blossom Applique Block

This Cherry Blossom block captures that sense of softness and simplicity, bringing a touch of nature into your stitching.

What I love most is that this cover has become more than just something practical. It’s a piece of my creative story - a piece of my craft history.

A Handmade Journal Cover - Useful, Personal, an...

What I love most is that this cover has become more than just something practical. It’s a piece of my creative story - a piece of my craft history. Crafting...

A Handmade Journal Cover - Useful, Personal, an...

What I love most is that this cover has become more than just something practical. It’s a piece of my creative story - a piece of my craft history. Crafting...

Testing Inktense Paint Blocks on Fabric What Really Happens?

Testing Inktense Paint Blocks on Fabric – What ...

I’m only at the beginning of exploring the possibilities of Inktense paints on fabric, but I can already see them becoming a regular part of my textile toolbox.

Testing Inktense Paint Blocks on Fabric – What ...

I’m only at the beginning of exploring the possibilities of Inktense paints on fabric, but I can already see them becoming a regular part of my textile toolbox.

details of how the snowrose BOW flower was made

A New BOW Flower Block: Snowrose

For this new BOW block, Snowrose, your fabric choice can completely change the mood of the block, and as the artists, we have a license to be creative regardless of...

A New BOW Flower Block: Snowrose

For this new BOW block, Snowrose, your fabric choice can completely change the mood of the block, and as the artists, we have a license to be creative regardless of...

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...

4 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...

4 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...

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