Lectures/Workshops
Hello and welcome!
I'm currently offering both in-person lectures and workshops, as well as virtual lectures and workshops using Zoom. If Zoom is new to you and your guild/group, I'm happy to walk you through how this works. If you're looking to fill a hole from cancelled in-person programming, please reach out; I'm happy to help!
Below is an overview of what I offer as well as my current lecture/workshop schedule; please contact me for availability and pricing. I look forward to working with you!
Contact me: lisaeruble (at) gmail.com
Lectures:
Confessions of a Quilt Magazine Editor
In this hour-long lecture, I offer an insider's look at the world of quilt magazine publishing. I draw on my eight years of experience as an editor for several different quilt magazines, providing a behind-the-scenes look at assigning projects to designers, the magic of photoshoots, and how a magazine comes together. I'll also share tips and tricks for submitting designs and thoughts on how the industry is changing in the advent of digital publishing. This lecture includes a trunk show of projects I've had featured in quilting magazines.
1-hour trunk show
$300
Hooked on Improv Quilting Trunk Show
In this trunk show, I'll share the quilts that illustrate my journey from traditional to modern quilting. Each of my quilts comes with a story about the artists who inspired my work (Victoria Findlay Wolfe and Gwen Marston, for starters!), as well as plenty of close-up looks. I'll also walk you through the process of sewing a wonky log cabin block, my personal favorite! If you're interested in exploring the no-rules world of improv piecing and the design doors it can open, this is the lecture for you!
1-hour trunk show
$300
Workshops:
Intro to Improv Piecing
Interested in improv piecing techniques but not sure where to start? I can help! I'll walk you through the steps to create three different improvisationally pieced blocks: wonky stars, wonky flying geese, and wonky log cabin blocks. Wonky piecing can seem intimidating, but I'll make the blocks along with you, and you'll leave the workshop with confidence in your improv abilities! I'll also share quilts I've made using these techniques for added inspiration. BONUS: The blocks I demonstrate are featured in Wonk Around the Block, my new 6-part Block of the Month pattern. Ask me about incorporating the pattern into this workshop.
Strippy Improv Quilting Trunk Show
This trunk show focuses on quilts I’ve made using the strippy improv quilting technique. I will talk about how I started creating quilts using this method, which combines improv piecing and reverse applique. I’ll share the various quilts and small projects I’ve stitched, including my most popular pattern, Strippy Improv Holiday, and show all of the possibilities available using this technique (hint: it’s great for sewing with kids too!).
This trunk show focuses on quilts I’ve made using the strippy improv quilting technique. I will talk about how I started creating quilts using this method, which combines improv piecing and reverse applique. I’ll share the various quilts and small projects I’ve stitched, including my most popular pattern, Strippy Improv Holiday, and show all of the possibilities available using this technique (hint: it’s great for sewing with kids too!).
1-hour trunk show
$300
Workshops:
Intro to Improv Piecing
Interested in improv piecing techniques but not sure where to start? I can help! I'll walk you through the steps to create three different improvisationally pieced blocks: wonky stars, wonky flying geese, and wonky log cabin blocks. Wonky piecing can seem intimidating, but I'll make the blocks along with you, and you'll leave the workshop with confidence in your improv abilities! I'll also share quilts I've made using these techniques for added inspiration. BONUS: The blocks I demonstrate are featured in Wonk Around the Block, my new 6-part Block of the Month pattern. Ask me about incorporating the pattern into this workshop.
4-hour workshop
$400
Wonky Spirals
My original tried-and-true improv piecing pattern! Learn to create a beginner's version of wonky log cabin blocks for a fun modern quilt made with no rules. I'll walk you through each step of the block, showing how to maximize wonkiness while creating a block that spins out in a spiral. We'll sew several blocks together to ensure you feel comfortable with this method before we're done. Along the way, I'll share cutting and measuring tips to help your blocks come together more easily. Two layout options are available; with and without sashing.
3-hour workshop
Separate pattern purchase required.
Wonky Spirals
My original tried-and-true improv piecing pattern! Learn to create a beginner's version of wonky log cabin blocks for a fun modern quilt made with no rules. I'll walk you through each step of the block, showing how to maximize wonkiness while creating a block that spins out in a spiral. We'll sew several blocks together to ensure you feel comfortable with this method before we're done. Along the way, I'll share cutting and measuring tips to help your blocks come together more easily. Two layout options are available; with and without sashing.
3-hour workshop
Separate pattern purchase required.
$400
ZuZu Squares
Take wonky piecing to the next level with this whimsical design! ZuZu Squares combines wonky log cabin techniques with pieced skinny strips (feel free to use a printed stripe or other contrasting fabric instead) for a quilt packed with wonkiness! This workshop includes step-by-step demonstrations for piecing the skinny strips, and then creating wonky log cabins, log by log. As we sew, I'll share cutting and measuring tips to help your blocks come together more easily.
3-hour workshop
Separate pattern purchase required.
ZuZu Squares
Take wonky piecing to the next level with this whimsical design! ZuZu Squares combines wonky log cabin techniques with pieced skinny strips (feel free to use a printed stripe or other contrasting fabric instead) for a quilt packed with wonkiness! This workshop includes step-by-step demonstrations for piecing the skinny strips, and then creating wonky log cabins, log by log. As we sew, I'll share cutting and measuring tips to help your blocks come together more easily.
3-hour workshop
Separate pattern purchase required.
$400
Strippy Improv
Separate pattern purchase required.
Learn the strippy improv technique combined with reverse applique methods to create unique quilt blocks. In this 4-hour workshop you’ll learn how to use strips and scraps to sew strippy improv blocks. Using the pattern of your choice you can transform them into applique blocks themed for a variety of occasions and complete a wall hanging, table runner, or placemats.
Available Strippy Improv patterns:
Strippy Improv Holiday (includes 5 block designs - star, snowman, tree, candy cane and ornament and wall hanging or table runner layout)
Strippy Improv Halloween (includes 9 block designs - pumpkin, candy corn, bat, ghost, cat, spider, witch hat, B and O (to spell BOO) and wall hanging or table runner layout)
Strippy Improv Hearts (includes 3 different layout options - a throw quilt, baby quilt and throw pillow)
Strippy Improv Circles (includes wall hanging, table runner and placemat layouts)
4-hour workshopSeparate pattern purchase required.
$400
See a pattern you'd like to use in a workshop? Contact me!
See a pattern you'd like to use in a workshop? Contact me!
2022 Schedule
March 4: Portland Modern Quilt Guild lectureMarch 19: Bayberry Quilters of Cape Cod workshop
June 22: Faithful Circle Quilters lecture and workshop
June 25: Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild workshop
July 30: Golden Needles Quilt guild lecture
August 24: Creative Quilters' Guild lecture
October 10: Lighthouse Quilt Guild lecture and workshop
November 16-17: Saginaw Piecemakers Quilt Guild lecture and workshop
2023 Schedule
January 7 Hands Across the Valley Quilt Guild lecture
February 21-22 Heritage Quilters Guild lecture and workshop
February 27-28: Prairie Star Quilt Guild lecture and workshop
February 27-28: Prairie Star Quilt Guild lecture and workshop
March 13-14: Mudsock Quilt Guild lecture and workshop
March 21-22: Log Cabin Quilt Guild lecture and workshop
March 28: Calco Quilters lecture
March 28: Calco Quilters lecture
April 15: Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild workshop
Wonk Around the Block Workshop
Lisa Ruble of Quilty Zest truly embodies her company's name! Her enthusiasm for improv quilting shined through her presentation and was a wonderful intro to a new kind of quilting. Our guild members thoroughly enjoyed her fun and relaxed workshop. Lisa left us inspired to find ways to use this new tool in our quilter's toolbox.
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Reviews:Wonk Around the Block Workshop
Lisa Ruble of Quilty Zest truly embodies her company's name! Her enthusiasm for improv quilting shined through her presentation and was a wonderful intro to a new kind of quilting. Our guild members thoroughly enjoyed her fun and relaxed workshop. Lisa left us inspired to find ways to use this new tool in our quilter's toolbox.
- Sandy Cord, Faithful Circle Quilters
]Intro to Improv Quilting Workshop
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Want to see more?
View my pattern gallery.
Find patterns in my shop.
Sign up for my newsletter (and receive a free pattern!)
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Find me on Instagram.
Lisa is such an excellent teacher. Improv quilting is really hard for me, but
Lisa provided wonderful instruction on three different quilt blocks that could
be made using improvisational strategies.
She gave us a demonstration that included really helpful tips that
allowed me to overcome some of the issues I had been having when improv
quilting. She selected three blocks that
allowed us to build on our skills with each successive block. Lisa’s style is very engaging and friendly,
making it really fun to sew along with her.
- Stephanie Peterson, Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild president
Confessions of a Quilt Magazine Editor
Lisa’s presentation on process of bringing projects to life on the page was so interesting!
There is so much that goes into the making of a beautiful magazine; it definitely helps to
learn about the process and to be able to appreciate those gorgeous quilts even more!
It was informative and a very interesting aspect of the business of quilts.
- Paula Kennedy, Orlando Modern Quilt Guild
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Want to see more?
View my pattern gallery.
Find patterns in my shop.
Sign up for my newsletter (and receive a free pattern!)
Follow me on Facebook.
Find me on Instagram.