Ruth Blanchet, New Zealand Quilter Inspired by the Natural Beauty of Her Country

by Patricia Cummings
 

Ruth Blanchet, well-known New Zealand quilt "tutor" and pattern designer, needs only to take a ride or to look out her window, to be inspired by the lakes, mountains, and tussock grass of her native homeland. Not content to sit and stitch just for herself, she shares her love of quilting with her many students, both in New Zealand, and via the classes that she gives through the internet at Quilt University.

                     
                      "Starlit Daisies" is one of Ruth's designs that
                           is a pieced and machine appliquéd quilt.
              The pattern is available from Quilter's Warehouse.

Ruth owns a company called Arbee Designs. Her website  has many examples of her fine craftsmanship and artistic designs. My personal favorites are the image of a galloping horse, as well as the quilt from which she made her "Day in the Country" pattern series. Whether you want to purchase a finished quilt, or buy a wonderful pattern, Ruth is there to help.

The mother of four children, there is never a dull moment. Currently, she is co-designing an exciting new series of patterns with her mother-in-law, with whom she spends many happy hours coming up with new ideas for quilting. Ruth's specialties are thread painting by machine, and appliqué. Below is an example of the former in a quilt lovingly made and mailed to me as a gift. The name of the quilt is fittingly named, "Friendship Lake."

Beautiful gift from Ruth Blanchet

Ruth travels to teach and has come to the United States several times in the past few years to give classes in the western U.S., including California and Oregon.

To contact the author of this article, write to:  pat@quiltersmuse.com