Free Applique design

How much fun is this? I just had to show you what Margaret made using my free online class. Instead of making the book cover, she used the applique to make panels (one on the front and one on the back) for a purse.



Isn't it just darling?

Great job Margaret. I love how you used the applique flower fabric for both the handles and lining too. Makes me want to get on with my sewing.

For those of you who would like to join the free class, you can find information about it here >>

Happy Quilting!

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Stained Glass Lily quilt pattern

Our latest pattern "Lilium" is a simple stained glass applique design ideal for the beginner quilter. This quilt-as-you-go technique is very quick and rewarding as the quilt goes together in no time at all.

Today I wanted to share two of my pattern testers finished quilts.

Joany made this one and is very happy with the result so she plans to teach it as well.

Deanna made this quilt.


Isn't it great to see different color combinations? What colors would you use?

Lilium is a fun project. If you would like more details you can find them on our website here: Lilium quilt pattern

We would love to hear what other stained glass applique patterns you would like. You can find designs for a poinsettia and poppy on our website, you tell us what else we should include.

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Zodiac Class

Recently I had several photos sent to me by Sherry, one of my online quilt students. One of the classes she took was for making Zodiac signs. She made several totes with zodiac pockets for family members.


"Here’s a picture of the Virgo that I completed for our daughter. This was my 1st attempt, but really enjoyed it."

Sherry went on to make two more totes.





"The tote is a late Xmas present – my SIL is a Libra, and my BIL is a Leo, so they’ve each got a pocket."

Great job Sherry!

Did you see "Circle of Life"? which is where the zodiac class originated. It has a Mariner's compass in the center which is now presented as an online class at the Academy of Quilting.

Happy Quilting!

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Applique and Patchwork Pattern

To all my quilt readers,

It has been way too long since I last updated my blog, and I have no real excuses except to say that I must change my ways and get busy with my blog again. So for the next few weeks you should see several posts arriving.

Today I wanted to share with you a photo sent to me by Sandra Wade who purchased one of my quilt patterns "A Freshness of Spring". Sandra decided she wanted to double the size of the quilt so seeked my permission to do so. She now has her beautiful appliqued quilt hanging nicely in her home.


Sandra's comment: "I really did enjoy doing this pattern and in the dead of winter here in Nebraska, looking at this wall hanging does indeed make me think of spring."

Thank you Sandra for sharing your quilt with us all. It is a pleasure to see you getting so much enjoyment out of my design.

Here is a closeup of Sandra's daisies and quilting.


This design is made up of a simple patchwork background with appliqued daisies over the top. My easy method of fusible applique makes this a fun project. If you are interested in this pattern, you can find it here on our website: http://www.arbeedesigns.com/a-freshness-of-spring/

Happy Quilting!

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Magnificent Presidential Quilt

During my visit to the United States which was conducting their campaign for President, I became obsessed with the idea of creating a quilt for the new president Barack Obama. The size of quilt was 106” x 86” and took 120 hours to complete. The fabrics were carefully chosen from several fabric shops.

I took the President of the United States symbol and I created the front of the quilt using a fabric that looked like feathers for the eagle. I cut out the stars and stripes to radiate out from the center symbol. I finished the quilt with the president's name and year.
Among the unique fabrics I was able to find the perfect backing for the Presidential quilt. As the commander and chief of the military I found a backing fabric with the accent of military people driving jeeps and pieced it together with fabric of first flag of the United States and the current flag of the United States. The original flag had the first words of the Constitution of the United States.

When the quilt was completed UPS to the White House in care of the President and Mrs Obama.

This project I believe is my best work ever. You be the judge.


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Win a Christmas Quilt

This Christmas Quilt needs a home.

The Story - how this quilt came about:

Any quilter who has taken my online class knows that with all the various options in class, I often make several samples. Yesterday while doing a video shoot for my tree skirt class I just happened to have a single poinsettia block with no home so I decided to take a little time out from work!

The background was a piece of fabric left from cutting wedges hence the cut angles. Luckily when I stitched the poinsettia, I used a larger than needed piece of batting and backing. I pulled three additional fabrics from my stash - 2 Christmas pieces (green with gold Christmas trees and a red poinsettia batik) and a green hand-dyed fabric from New Zealand. Perfect!


I added a couple of strips - first the dyed fabric, then the red and squared the whole thing up with the tree fabric. Just for fun, I stippled the background with silver metallic thread and bound the top and bottom edges in green with red for the sides.

Now I need to find a home for this quilt and know someone will enjoy hanging it for Christmas so decided to have a competition for you to win.


The Competition:

Enter into our drawing by doing any of the following options. There are 4 options to choose from and each option gives you a chance to win.

Option 1: Send us a photo of any project you made using an Arbee Designs design. The design can be from one of Ruth’s class or from a purchased pattern. You can send in as many photos as you like. Your name will be entered in our drawing once for each different project you send.

Option 2: Purchase any of our patterns from our website including sale price items (excluding downloads). For each pattern purchased, your name will be entered into the drawing.

Option 3: Sign up for any of our Christmas online classes at the Academy of Quilting. For each class sign up, your name will be entered twice into our drawing.

Option 4: Tell a friend. If your friend says you are the person who told them about this drawing and they enter, your name will be entered into the drawing as well as their name. You can refer as many friends as you like. Each person entering may only name one person as referee.

Additional Notes:
The competition will end on the 30th November 2009 and drawing will be done on the 1st December at which time the winner will be notified by email or phone. As soon as we receive the winner’s physical address, the quilt will be shipped.
Any purchase made by check or e-check, must be received at least one week prior to closing date and be bank cleared before competition closes.
When sending in a photo, you will be acknowledging acceptance for your photo to be displayed on any of our web pages with your name as maker. We will not display your contact details.




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Quilted Jigsaw fun

Here is a fun jigsaw of our Christmas Holly Wreath quilt. Have fun making it as a jigsaw and feel free to join us in this online class at the Academy of Quilting.

Be sure to tell me how long it took to complete.



For information about our class visit our website Click here for The Holly Wreath Online Class information

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Star Block

I actually made it to my sewing table today! I'm known for my applique more than my patchwork, but today was all patchwork and I had fun. I wanted to make a star block for my tree skirt. Why? Because I know not everyone likes to applique like me so I decided it would be great to add the option of a block in my Tree Skirt online class for those who want to do that. (Find out more about the class here >>)

Well for Christmas I thought, a star would be a good thing to make. So I got carried away like usual and make five stars instead of one, just couldn't help myself. So here is the first star. It's a 9" finished block.



One large star is just not my thing, I need more of a challenge than that! I decided I should add some smaller stars in the corners of the large star. So I did. Each small star block is 3" finished.



That's some pretty small pieces don't you think? Okay, so I got thinking. Now that can be a dangerous thing for me, but I did anyway. What if I made a star in the center square of my 3" star? Good thought? Hmmmmmm, okay so I wasn't going to start over because time was running out, but I just had to try it. After all, it is only a one inch star, I couldn't waste too much fabric on that. Worked great!

I had to take the photo so close to fill up my camera screen that you can even see the grain in the fabric. This was fun for sure. So tell me, what's the smallest star you've made?

Those star points are just 1/4", I wonder if I could do 1/8"....

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Twisted Ribbons Block

Doreen is in my Twisted Ribbons online class and sent me in a photo of her practice block. It's great and she is having a lot of fun with this so I wanted to share it with my blog readers. This is a new block I designed where it is almost impossible to make two identical blocks. There are no templates, no need for precise seams and it doesn't even matter if your strips are a little crooked. You cannot go wrong!



Doreen found the instructions easy to follow and had a wonderful job of her block. I am looking forward to seeing her next which will be different again.

This class has just begun so there is still time to register but you need to be quick as registration close next weekend. With lesson one already available, you can get started right away. For more details see our website here: Twisted Ribbons Online Class

Twisted Ribbons is also available as a pattern if you prefer not to take the class. For more details about this please read: Twisted Ribbons quilt pattern >>

I hope you enjoyed seeing Doreen's block as much as I did. Keep up the great work Doreen!
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Prize Winning Bargello

Twisted Bargello is a popular class. I have already posted several of my student's quilts here, but couldn't resist another post. This time for Barbara Delphos from MA, USA.

Barbara won third prize for her Twisted Bargello after taking my online class at Quilt University. She entered in her local guild show which has over 250 members so the show was by no means small. Below is a photo of her entry along with the prize ribbon.


"Congratulations Barbara and thank you for sharing with us all."

Barbara also won two other blue ribbons in the show for another wall hanging and jacket with purse. She is now working on my "Freedom Bargello", however has been held up somewhat after having back surgery. I hope you have a speedy recovery Barbara. You can see the "Freedom" pattern here: "Freedom Bargello" quilt pattern.

To find out more about this class click here >>

This design is also available as a pattern called "Cherry Blossoms". For more details about this pattern click here >>

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