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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Bring Your Quilts to Life with the Picturesque 3-D Scene banner showing embellishments and supplies

Bring Your Quilts to Life with the Picturesque ...

There’s something magical about a quilt that feels as though you could step right into it. Layers of texture, tiny stitched details, dimensional embellishments, and carefully chosen fabrics can transform...

Bring Your Quilts to Life with the Picturesque ...

There’s something magical about a quilt that feels as though you could step right into it. Layers of texture, tiny stitched details, dimensional embellishments, and carefully chosen fabrics can transform...

selecting threads for the 80th BOW flower block - bluebells

Bluebell Blooms Into the BOW Collection – Block...

The gentle curves of the stems and petals make this block ideal for fussy cutting, creating a relaxing and enjoyable applique project. This design captures the soft movement and shape...

Bluebell Blooms Into the BOW Collection – Block...

The gentle curves of the stems and petals make this block ideal for fussy cutting, creating a relaxing and enjoyable applique project. This design captures the soft movement and shape...

Creating a Landscape Backdrop for a landscape art quilt

From Photo to Fabric: Creating a Landscape Back...

I’ve started building the background for my art quilt. I’m not at the stitching stage just yet, but I’m getting closer and this is one of those stages I always...

From Photo to Fabric: Creating a Landscape Back...

I’ve started building the background for my art quilt. I’m not at the stitching stage just yet, but I’m getting closer and this is one of those stages I always...

April's crafty update image shows applique block (Bellflower), cross stitch temperature project, embroidery on cardigan, and merino silk mix roving being spun

April Crafty Update: Between Travel and Creativity

April was a month of gentle progress - some finishes, some planning, and some creative momentum building quietly in the background.

April Crafty Update: Between Travel and Creativity

April was a month of gentle progress - some finishes, some planning, and some creative momentum building quietly in the background.

the making of campanula persicifolia applique flower block (bellflower)

Campanula Persicifolia – A Graceful Bellflower ...

Campanula Persicifolia is one of those flowers that doesn’t demand attention but is pretty in its own right and a lovely block to add to your collection of applique blocks

Campanula Persicifolia – A Graceful Bellflower ...

Campanula Persicifolia is one of those flowers that doesn’t demand attention but is pretty in its own right and a lovely block to add to your collection of applique blocks

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...

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