Mariner's Compass

Check out one of the Mariner's Compass quilts made in our online class. This is Naomi's. Isn't it bright and colorful?



In this class you have the option to make an advanced block like Naomi's or you can make a beginner's block.

This class is open for registration. If you would like more info or to register click here >>

To see what other students did in our class see our gallery >>

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Twisted Bargello

One of my students called by just to show me her finished Cherry Blossom Twisted Bargello quilt. She did a great job and had it complete in a week, even the quilting! wow. She is a beginner at quilting but did a great job of this after taking my machine quilting class only a few months ago.



Here is what Diane had to say....
"I took the twisted bargello class last Monday and became totally addicted to this quilt - so much so that I managed to finish it within a week. I enjoyed working with Ruth and was delighted with the end result. I also took a quilting technique class with Ruth a few months ago which gave me much more confidence, otherwise I may not have had the courage to do the quilting for fear of spoiling the quilt..........Thanks Ruth"


Here is a close up of the quilting. Great job Diane!



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I have been busy with many online classes lately. My new quilting class is up and running (check it out here) and I'm getting set to begin work on the next class, but right now I wanted to share with you a quilt that one of my students made in my beginner's bargello class.



Joan says "It has taken me a little time to get these to everyone. But I am pleased with my colors and results. I liked lesson 2 so much I made it twice and added my border."

Very pretty Joan, it turned out great. Perhaps you feel ready to move on to my advanced class now? I think you will enjoy both Bargello Blues and Twisted Bargello.
Ruth.

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Free online class

A lot of quilters ask "how do you take an online class?". Everyone seems very interested and eager to try. I decided since so many seem to be interested, that I would to write a short class so newcomers can experience the concept of online learning. Instead of adding a question and answer page, I decided it would be much better to actually make something so I decided on a book cover which is a wonderful creative idea for a gift with your personal touch.


These book covers are really fun to make. I have made them for friends and family at Christmas and birthdays. When I want to give something more, I add a small pocket on the inside cover that will hold a gift card.


With this class, I will be adding more applique designs and styles throughout the year, so the class will actually be an ongoing class unlike my regular classes. I hope quilters will gather within the classroom and share ideas so we can also add them to the lessons. It will be fun for sure and it is all free as well.

You can register here: Free online class Registration

I hope you will join me. Happy Quilting!


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Twisted Ribbon Patchwork Class

I had a fun day teaching yesterday. It was quite funny actually. My students just didn't get the rules to begin with. The rules went something like this "no precise seam allowance" ... "no straight strips" ... "you can use any strip widths" ... "when it comes time to square it up, you can twist and turn the ruler any way you like". You cannot go wrong and as a result, you will end up with my beautiful twisted ribbon pattern.

It was a little difficult for my students to break the regular patchwork rules, but it was fun watching them, and once they got the concept of it, everyone had fun.

Here are some photos of the class which was held at Timeless Quilts in Anaheim.


You can see my Twisted Ribbons design in the background at the right of the photo. This green and fawn one was made by Sue Salinger while she tested my pattern... And yes, the muffins were delicious. I had blueberry!


My students had caught on to the concept now and were much happier not to be confused. You can see some of Kathy's blocks at the front of the photo on the left. Very pretty. You can also see some of my other patterns and class samples hanging in the background.

If you like this design, you can buy the pattern online at my website. I'm only an email away if you need any help.
Twisted Ribbons Pattern
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Sunflowers in Progress

I have been busy working on my latest online class "Sunflowers at Dawn". This is the second of a Sunflower series. I made the class sample in shades of blues (blue is my favorite color, so I couldn't resist the temptation) so thought it would be great to share this with you. The class adds detail in shading and dimension to make this piece really come to life.

I have received a lot of comments on the first Sunflower design over the years. One thing that quilters comment most about is how wonderfully I captured and created the bent sunflower so here is a close up of it ready to be stitched.


I have so enjoyed making this design again. It is much improved on the first design and in the class I have included a lot more detail like how to add shading and where to place fabrics to capture the morning light coming through the window.

I hope you will join me! It will definitely be fun.

For more information about the class visit:
More info about Sunflowers at Dawn Online Class

If you are interested in purchasing the pattern "Simply Sunflowers", you can find more information here: Simply Sunflowers quilt pattern

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Bargello Students

I've had fun today, demonstrating and meeting quilters on the Orange County Shop Hop. In fact, two of the quilters (Diane and Cindy) who took my beginner's barello class a few weeks back brought me their finished quilts to see. They are very beautiful so I just had to get a snap shot of them and of course, I have to share them with you.


Diane is on the left and Cindy on the right. They enjoyed the bargello class a lot and are now moving on with the next bargello level. Diane wants to make Cherry Blossoms (seen hanging in the background on the right) and Cindy, Bargello Blues, but Cindy insists I get the Summer pattern out to her first so she can make that before she attempts the advanced level. I see I'm going to have to add that to my schedule.

This class has certainly been a lot of fun to teach and I hope others will join in this amazing style of quilt making.


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Bargello History - where I began

I thought it would be nice to share with you a little about my Bargello Quilting history since I have been teaching my beginner's bargello class today, not just in person, but also online through Quilt University.

First a little about Bargello History itself. Bargello quilts have their roots in needlepoint. History shows us that bargello needlepoint designs go back as far as the 16th century. This Bargello technique was known as Florentine, Flame or Hungarian stitch.

Knitters first borrowed the design for afghans in the 1960's. You will see a lot of these designs today as it is still popular with knitters.

In more recent years, it has been adapted as a quilting technique and since we are able to use fabrics that have many different textures and prints, rather than solid colored yarns as required for stitching, there are endless possibilities.

My first bargello started as an embroidered work. I stitched this almost 30 years ago and still have it today. This was introduced to me as Florentine stitch. I had not heard of Bargello in quilting at that time, however I was only just beginning to quilt. This small makeup bag, was a part of an embroidery course I took in my teenage years.


In the early 90's, when I first started quilting as a professional, I designed Bargello Blues. I had admired bargello work for quite some time, and then dove right in, two feet first, to create this advanced piece of bargello. It sold sooner after. It wasn't until 2004 that I wrote this particular bargello design up as an online class. The opening debut proved to be a huge hit with over 100 students. This continues to be a popular class today.

Bargello Blues begins again next weekend at Quilt University. Click here to find out more info...

This is not only a favorite class by many, but also one of my best seller patterns. "Freedom Bargello", another bargello design, also proves to be popular.

My beginner's class "Bargello Seasons" is always a huge success as well, along with "Twisted Bargello". Both are classes at Quilt University and later this year, I am planning on writing a Circular Bargello since many of my students are requesting it.

If you have questions about any of my Bargello designs, please leave your comments, I'll be happy to answer them.

I have patterns available for most of my bargello designs at Arbee Designs

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New Patchwork Quilt Pattern

I wanted to share my very latest pattern here. It's a little different to my normal, but after talking with my marketing manager, decided that we were missing some market by not having some patchwork bed quilt patterns available, so I have developed a new series of patterns. Easy, no accurate seams necessary so great for the beginner plus you can make it look scrappy as well by using the jelly roll packs. This is an all pieced patchwork quilt in various sizes, no applique.

I will be working on a series of these patchwork patterns throughout the year so you will want to check back again or sign up for our newsletter.
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Here is our scrappy look made from Hoffman Fabric's Bali Pops.



Oh I had better not forget to give you the link so you can go find out more details because we have a pre-publish special available. As soon as patterns are ready, this special price ends.

Here is the link: Twisted Ribbons - new patchwork pattern


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New Online Class

My newest online class is up online now. This one is for the Mariner's Compass for my Zodiac Quilt - "Circle of Life". This class is two lessons long and I have two options, a beginner's block (at the bottom) and the advanced to the right.

I have always liked star shaped blocks and thought this was perfect for my zodiac quilt. Unfortunately when I made this quilt for teaching online at Quilt University, there was already a Mariner's Compass class so I didn't include it for the course, but many have since asked for the pattern and the class. It is great to have it available at last.


Mariner's Compass beginner's block



Have some fun and join the many who have already enrolled.
To find out more...

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