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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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!

part 1 of step by step instructions for Grandmother's Puzzle block

Grandmother's puzzle - free block

A couple of months back, I presented the first free 5-patch block called Four-X Star block, and last month I introduced another called Flying Squares (showing details of how to construct a...

Grandmother's puzzle - free block

A couple of months back, I presented the first free 5-patch block called Four-X Star block, and last month I introduced another called Flying Squares (showing details of how to construct a...

This block can stand alone beautifully in a wall hanging or be included as part of a larger flower garden quilt and made in a number of different techniques either by machine or by hand

Nasturtiums in Applique

This new nasturtium block can stand alone beautifully in a wall hanging or be included as part of a larger flower garden quilt. It’s also perfect for table runners or...

Nasturtiums in Applique

This new nasturtium block can stand alone beautifully in a wall hanging or be included as part of a larger flower garden quilt. It’s also perfect for table runners or...

project board for June 2025 with quilting, embroidery, knitting, crochet, and spinning

Crafting Goals for June

Six months of the year are gone already! Thus far, I've managed to keep up with my crafting goal; however, during June I was away so....

Crafting Goals for June

Six months of the year are gone already! Thus far, I've managed to keep up with my crafting goal; however, during June I was away so....

A nine-year old makes a project bag in less than 2 hours - it's that easy with no handstitching, decorative boxed corners, self-lined pockets, and no-turn handles

Project Bag - Approved by a 9 yr old

A nine-year old makes a project bag in less than 2 hours - it's that easy with decorative boxed corners, self-lined pockets, no handstitching, and no-turn handles.

Project Bag - Approved by a 9 yr old

A nine-year old makes a project bag in less than 2 hours - it's that easy with decorative boxed corners, self-lined pockets, no handstitching, and no-turn handles.

Instruction for how to make a Flying Squares block

Flying Squares - free block

I have another 5-patch block, but this one is a little trickier to construct than the last. I love the name of this block - Flying Squares.

2 comments

Flying Squares - free block

I have another 5-patch block, but this one is a little trickier to construct than the last. I love the name of this block - Flying Squares.

2 comments
Floral Alphabet Garden with A-Z flower blocks by Barbara Dieges

From Anemone to Zinnia: A Quilty Alphabet Adven...

What I really love is how flexible this flower collection is. You can pick out just one or two letters (maybe your initials? or a gift for someone?), or go...

From Anemone to Zinnia: A Quilty Alphabet Adven...

What I really love is how flexible this flower collection is. You can pick out just one or two letters (maybe your initials? or a gift for someone?), or go...

May triumphs for Ruth's crafts for quilting, knitting, spinning, crochet, and embroidery

Crafting Goals for May

Another busy month with travel involved and I might be playing catch! I have had some triumphs though - how are you progressing with your crafts?

Crafting Goals for May

Another busy month with travel involved and I might be playing catch! I have had some triumphs though - how are you progressing with your crafts?

Hellebore is Ruth's 69th flower block in the BOW flower collection showing a collection of threads for stitching the block

Hellebore Flower with Thread Selecting

Do you have trouble selecting threads for decorative applique stitching? Perhaps you don't need as many as you think even though you use more fabrics.

Hellebore Flower with Thread Selecting

Do you have trouble selecting threads for decorative applique stitching? Perhaps you don't need as many as you think even though you use more fabrics.

Make an alphabet bunting with the ABC baby quilt pattern

Make Your Own Quilted ABC Bunting

You don't need to make this cute baby quilt into a quilt, you can use individual blocks to make a bunting for the nursery or do both!

Make Your Own Quilted ABC Bunting

You don't need to make this cute baby quilt into a quilt, you can use individual blocks to make a bunting for the nursery or do both!

Amaryllis Belladonna flower block - the 68th flower in the BOW flower applique collection

Amaryllis Belladonna Flower Block

I decided to make my Amaryllis Belladonna with four flower heads to stop it from becoming too detailed, and a simple trick helps make putting this flower block together easily.

Amaryllis Belladonna Flower Block

I decided to make my Amaryllis Belladonna with four flower heads to stop it from becoming too detailed, and a simple trick helps make putting this flower block together easily.

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