Becky Goldsmith
Piece O’ Cake Designs
919 Starlight Drive, Sherman, TX 75090
903-870-0238
rebeccagoldsmith@mac.com

Workshops

Most of the classes that I teach are hand applique classes. I also teach piecing—both "regular" and foundation paper piecing. Piecing is, after all, a "piece o' cake"!

I believe the time has come to encourage classes that are at least 2 days long. We all learn so much better when we have time to practice new skills in class! If your group has contracted for 1-day classes and you think that you might prefer one of the 2-day classes listed below, please contact me and I'll see what we can do.

Yes, it is possible to teach a variety of hand applique techniques in a 1-day class. However, what I have found is that when there are too many techniques to learn, students have to hurry in order to fit them all into 6 hours. Two day really are better than one!

There is an opportunity to work with color in a 2-day class. Color is so important in quilt making—and it's fun! In the 2-day classes below, students will have more of an opportunity to "color" the block(s) that they will then stitch in class.

I use a digital camera and projector in my classes. The image of what my hands are doing is projected onto a screen (or white wall). This allows each student to clearly see the techniques that I am demonstrating. You will love it!

All of the needle-turn appliqué techniques taught in my applique classes can be found in our book The New Appliqué Sampler or in our DVD, Learn to Applique the Piece O' Cake Way.

If you are a student looking for supplies for class, please click Notions here, or at the top of this page.

A 2-day class. All skill levels. This is my most requested class!

Learn to appliqué the Piece O' Cake way! You will learn easy template making, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch.

Time in class will be spent coloring your blocks (what fun!) and learning the needleturn applique techniques necessary to stitch this cute little quilt.

How do you do that?!

When taught as a 1-day, 6-hour class for all skill levels, you will learn easy template making, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué and the invisible appliqué stitch. Students will the needleturn applique techniques necessary to stitch this cute little quilt.

A 1-day, 6-hour class. All skill levels.

Learn to appliqué the Piece O' Cake way! You will learn easy template making, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch.

Learn a variety of needleturn applique techniques as you work on a vine block and off-the-block construction as you work on a "wheel" block in class.

Hello Becky…

Let me first say that I love your work. Every time I see a quilt that I just go crazy over and got to have, it is always one of yours. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better quilter.

Julie L.

A 2-day class. All skill levels.

Learn to needleturn applique the Piece O’ Cake way in this class for all quilters. You will learn easy template making, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch.

On the first day of class you will “color” your blocks with fabric – lots of fun! The second day will be spent stitching. I will help each student to perfect her (or his!) invisible appliqué stitch while working on a variety of techniques showcased in the class block.  I will provide you with the two patterns we’ll use in class.

Spectacular Spring - from Appliqué Delights

A 1-day class. All skill levels.

Learn to appliqué the Piece O' Cake way! You will learn easy template making, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch. I will help each student to perfect her (or his!) invisible appliqué stitch while working on a variety of techniques showcased in the class block. I will provide you with the pattern for one 8" x 8" block.

A 2-day class... or more. All skill levels.

Learn the Piece O' Cake way to needleturn hand appliqué and foundation paper piece on the machine in this class for all quilters.

On the first day you will learn foundation paper piecing. Our foundation papers are a little bit different and we think you will appreciate that difference. You'll make the foundation pieced arcs and learn how to sew those curved units together into the block shown below.

On the second day you will perfect your invisible applique stitch on the flowers and leaves in the border.

Dear Becky,

Thank you for one of the most enjoyable days in recent memory. I thoroughly enjoyed your class: the demonstrations, discussions (including the asides) and projects. I learned new techniques, practiced new and existing skills, and received the encouragement I needed.

Phillip S.

Hello Becky,

I took your class in Nashville AQS August 2005. I have continued to use what I learned in your all day class more than any I have ever taken. Thanks!

Pat S.

A 2-day or 3-day class... or more. All skill levels.

On the first day you will learn foundation paper piecing. Our foundation papers are a little bit different and we think you will appreciate that difference. You'll make the foundation pieced arcs and learn how to sew those curved units together into the block shown below.

On the second day you will perfect your invisible applique stitch. You'll learn cutaway applique on the spinning blades of the Whirlygig block. You'll work on inner points, outer points and curves on the flowers and leaves in the border.

When scheduled as a 3-day or longer class, more time can spent on color selection and on perfecting your hand applique techniques in class.

In class we’ll work on a 1-block version of Whirlygig!, below. This small quilt has a finished size of 30" x 30". You may prefer to work on the larger, 9-block Whirlygig quilt shown in the book. If that is the case, follow the yardage requirements in the book.

Your program on Tuesday night was outstanding. You are an excellent speaker and very entertaining. I really love your work... The workshop was great, and I came away with new techniques and inspiration. Thank you so much for all your talent, time and hard work. You are the best!

Rosalyn

A 1-day or 2-day machine piecing class.

And you thought all we did was applique! Piece this classic diamond star block on your sewing machine. Learn how to fussy-cut precise diamonds to make dazzling stars. Learn how to sew set-in points and how to match the seams at the center of the star. Pattern provided. Sewing machine required.

In a 1-day class students will work on 1 or 2 blocks.

In a 2-day class students will have time to color and sew 4 to 6 blocks in class—or more depending on their skill level.

I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for your lecture Monday night. It is truly a pleasure and privilege to be in the company of such a master of the art. I am inspired by your interpretation of the traditional and your approach to the process. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

I look forward to working with your appliqué book and a workshop in the future.

Sincerely,

Nysha

How did I get to here from there?! — 1 Hour

I'll show you a sampling of my quilts, from my very humble beginnings as a quilt maker through my most current work, giving tips along the way. If I can do it, anyone can!

Let's Talk About Color! — 1 Hour

We walk around with our eyes open - but how much do we really see? It's amazing what you can learn about color just by paying attention! I'll share with you what I've figured out about color over the years and how I use what I've learned in my quilts.

It’s not a quilt ‘til it’s quilted! — 1 Hour

You’ve made a beautiful top, but how do you decide how to quilt it? I’ll share with you what I have learned (both the good and the bad!) from quilting my own quilts.

1-Day (6-Hour) Workshops: $650

2-Day Workshops: $1300

3-Day Workshops: $1950

20 students maximum, additional students $35 each (per day) by permission of instructor.

I limit the number of students in my classes so that I can spend time with each student on an individual basis. In certain situations, it is possible to have more students, but this limits the one on one time with each pupil.

1 Hour Lecture: $400

Other Expenses including travel, meals, and lodging are listed in my contract.

The prices listed above are subject to change. Prices are locked in once a contract is signed.

A note about 3 Hour Workshops

I am no longer offering 3 hour classes. If I have already signed a contract with your group to teach a 3 hour class, I will honor that commitment. If you have not already chosen the particular 3 hour class that you want me to teach, please contact me so that we can choose a class that will work in that time frame.

There is a 20 students maximum in these 3 hour classes, and additional students are $20 each by permission of instructor.

Equipment Requirements

I will bring a digital projector for all workshops and lectures.

For workshops I'll need 2 tables, a long heavy duty extension cord, duct tape to tape the cords down, and an iron and ironing board. It's best to have a reflective screen but a blank white wall can also work.

For lectures I'll need 1-2 tables, a long heavy duty extension cord, duct tape to tape the cords down. I will also need a suitable table to set the projector and laptop computer on. It's best to have a reflective screen for lectures. If you meet during the day, be sure that you can darken the room. If you have quilt racks I'm happy to hang 1-3 quilts.

Becky Goldsmith's Biographical Information

I was born and raised in Oklahoma City. My husband, Steve, and I met at the University of Oklahoma. We married in 1978, at the end of our senior year at OU when we each completed our degrees, mine in interior design and his in zoology. He went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Zoology at Arizona State University. His career has taken us to Tempe, AZ, Tulsa, OK, and most recently to Sherman, TX. Luckily, I can make quilts anywhere!

Our boys, Chris, now 26, and Jeff, 23, were born while Steve was in graduate school. I discovered quilting when Jeff was 1 and the boys needed comforters for their bunk beds. I have not put my needle down since!

I met Linda Jenkins, my partner in Piece O’ Cake Designs, not long after I started quilting at a meeting of the Green Country Quilters’ Guild in Tulsa. We’ve been friends ever since. We started Piece O' Cake in 1994. I could not ask for a better partner.

Making quilts is interesting, fulfilling, and challenging. Running the business with Linda is exhilarating. This is not what I thought I would be doing with my life when I graduated from college. This is so much better!

Our son, Chris, married Lorna Warren in 2001. They presented us with our first grandchild, Elanor Cecelia, November 6, 2002 and John Patrick Kelly "Jack" Goldsmith was born October 24, 2007. Being a "Nana" is truly wonderful!

Both boys earned their undergraduate degrees in May, 2007. Jeff is in the PhD program in Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins (I love saying that!). Steve and I are home alone for the first time in many years and we are enjoying it!

Piece O' Cake books currently in print...

Published by C&T Publishing

Aunt Millie's Garden - a block of the month.

Piecing the Piece O' Cake Way - A guide to quilting basics.

Covered With Love - Cute, happy quilts and projects for children.

Amish-Inspired Quilts - Bold and lyrical designs made in solid fabrics.

The New Appliqué Sampler Book - Our instructional text book teaching appliqué the Piece O’ Cake way.

Quilts with a Spin - Quilts with circular designs combine piecing and appliqué.

Stars In The Garden Pattern - Twelve floral applique blocks that are grounded in traditional designs but have a contemporary twist.

Curl Up Quilts - Flannel Appliqué quilts and much more.

Appliqué Delights - 100 whimsical appliqué blocks. 50 all new designs join to Pin Pal classics.

Flowering Favorites - Linda and Becky’s most popular flower and garden quilt designs

Lucky Stars Pattern -The 2002 International Quilt Association Donation Quilt.

Once Upon A Season Book - Nine appliquéd and Pieced Quilts celebrating every season.

Welcome to the North Pole Book - Published by Martingale - The North Pole as we imagine it to be.

A 1-day, 6-hour class. All skill levels.

Reverse applique is lots of fun especially in this cute little quilt designed especially for this class. You will learn the Piece O' Cake way to make easy templates, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch. Learn to "stitch in reverse" while working on narrow strips, inner points, outer points, and curves. I will provide you with a pattern for this quilt.

You will work on the blocks below in class.

On the first day of class you will “color” your blocks with fabric – lots of fun! The second day will be spent stitching. I will help each student to perfect her (or his!) invisible appliqué stitch while working on a variety of techniques showcased in these 5" blocks.  I will provide you with the patterns for this cute little quilt.

Little Bitty Eensy Teensy - from Appliqué Delights

A 1-day class. Advanced skill level only.

Learn easy template making, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué and the invisible appliqué stitch. Students will work on a variety of techniques showcased in these 5" blocks.

A 2-day class. Advanced skill level only.

A 1-day, 6-hour class. All skill levels.

Have fun and play with color! What I stress is that there is no one, right answer to any color question, but there are tips and tricks that can make working with color a lot easier. You’ll learn about color and value as you work on an 8” flower block that is repeated in a variety of fabrics.

A 1-day or 2-day class. All skill levels.

This quilt makes a great 2-day class—combining both color and stitching.

The heart is such a simple shape that we sometimes overlook it - but we shouldn't! You will learn the Piece O' Cake way to make easy templates, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch. This class will cover outer points, inner points, and outer curves.

When taught as a 2-day class, you'll spend the first day cutting out and arranging the fabrics for this quilt. What I stress in this class is that there is no one, right answer to any color question, but there are tips and tricks that can make working with color a lot easier. Day 2 will be spent appliqueing.

When taught as a 1-day class, students will concentrate on the invisible appliqué stitch, outer points, inner points, and outer curves.

A 2-day class. All skill levels.

Does color make you crazy!!! Come to this class and play with color. You will learn the Piece O' Cake way to make easy templates, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch.

Spend the first day cutting out and arranging the fabrics for this vase of flowers block. What I stress in this class is that there is no one, right answer to any color question, but there are tips and tricks that can make working with color a lot easier.

On Day 2 we will concentrate on a variety of needleturn appliqué techniques. I will help each student to perfect her (or his!) invisible appliqué stitch while working on the following techniques: cutaway appliqué, curves, inner points, outer points, circles, and more as time permits.

It has been years since I have taken time for a class and I am happy I choose yours.

Lynne

Please contact me if you would like more information.

A 2-day class. All skill levels.

Make your own show-stopping quilt! You will learn easy template making, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué, and, most importantly, the invisible appliqué stitch.

Time in class will be spent coloring 1-2 blocks (what fun!) and learning the needleturn applique techniques necessary to stitch these blocks.

Aunt Millie's Garden

A 1-day class. All skill levels.

Learn to applique the Piece O' Cake way! In this class you will learn easy template making, how to make and use an overlay for appliqué and the invisible appliqué stitch. Students will work on a variety of needleturn applique techniques.