My Experience and Training
During the 1980's, I was self employed with custom sewing and alterations in my home. This venture led to my position as Professional Stitcher for the Theater Arts Department at Texas A&M University from 1988-91 where I stitched for nine period productions. My first two quilts were made for my sons. I checked out a book from the public library and made two quilts. One quilt was a Trip Around the World and the other was a Burgoyne Surrounded. I saw an advertisement for a quilt show from the local guild and I entered both quilts. After receiving terrible critiques on my work, I went to the guild to see what I had done that was so awful. I stayed and became involved in the guild. In the beginning, I took every class the guild offered. It was a wonderful exposure to all kinds of quilts, quilting, and quilt making techniques. I was very fortunate to have two of my first classes taught by Nancy Crow and Roberta Horton. These instructors, in particular, taught the structure of the medium with the freedom of creation. I had found my creative outlet.
Since joining the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild in 1991, I have attended lectures and participated in classes taught by Karen Stone, Patricia Campbell, Gail Valentine, Barbara Oliver Hartman, Marti Michell, Sue Nickels, Ami Simms, Sharon Newman, Karen Combs, Becky Goldsmith, Ricky Timms, and many others. The scope and information of these presentations are difficult to detail. Through my guild participation, I have had an exposure to, and opportunity to learn from, some of the most recognized quiltmakers today. By living in central Texas, I am also fortunate to have both the Dallas Quilt Show and the Houston International Quilt Festival only a short drive away.
As my interests in quilting grew, so did my fascination with the judging process for quilt shows. In June 1999. I was a participant in the NQA Quilt Judging Seminar in Omaha, NE under the instruction of Anita Shackelford, Carol Butzke and Klaudeen Hansen. Following the seminar, I participated in the NQA Quilt Judge Certification program for three years, and I also aided at four NQA shows during that time. I learned a tremendous amount about quilts, quilting, and the organization and structure of quilt shows. I have twice attended Kathleen McCrady's Quilt Study Hall in Austin, TX. In the hands-on setting in the Study Hall, Kathleen examines and explains the history of fabrics, quilts, quiltmaking and the influence of history on them. After developing and presenting lectures and classes for guilds, judging quilt shows, and traveling throughout the state of Texas, I once again entered the Judge Certification program of NQA. In June 2008, I satisfied the requirements and was certified as a National Quilting Association Certified Judge of Quilting.
I am also an avid reader and researcher. I read and learn from the guild library, public library with interlibrary loans, and the Texas A&M University library. I have also discovered The Smithsonian Institution can be a very good source for locating, identifying, and researching specific quilt making details. My annotated bibliography of quilt study is available upon request.
Professional References | |
| De Leclair | Sally Hatfield |
| dequilts@sbcglobal.net | slhquilts@cableone.net |
| 8411 Overlook Path | 777 Fegan |
| San Antonio, TX 78249 | Globe, AZ 85501 |
| 210-680-3020 | 520-425-6727 |
| Shows Judged | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show Name | Location | Date | Sponsor | Number of Quilts | Other Judges |
| Waco, TX | April 2011 | Waco Quilt Guild | 140 | Marilyn Hardy* | |
| Tyler, TX | March 2011 | Quilter’s Guild of East Texas | 155 | None | |
| Knoxville, TN | March 2011 | Smoky Mountain Quilters | 176 | None | |
| Corpus Christi, TX | Feb. 2011 | Coastal Bend Quilt and Needlework Guild | 212 | De Leclair*, Marcia Kaylakie | |
| Austin, TX | Sept. 2010 | Austin Area Quilt Guild | 321 | De Leclair*, Marilyn Hardy*, Nell Smith* | |
| Stafford, TX | Sept. 2010 | Coastal Bend | 240 | Marcell Miller | |
| Holiday Magic | New Braunfels, TX | July 22, 2010 | New Braunfels Area Quilt Guild | 190 | De Leclair*, Sandy Mehall |
| Treasures of the Gulf States | Slidell, LS | June 13-15, 2010 | Gulf States Quilting Association | 300 | Nell D. Smith* |
| Quilt Crazy | Tulsa, OK | June 3, 2010 | Green Country Quilters Guild | 290 | Marylin Hardy*, Linda Lohrman* |
| America the Beautiful | Arlington, TX | May 6, 2010 | Quilters' Guild of Arlington | 190 | Marilyn Hardy* |
| Heritage Pieces | Brenham, TX | Feb. 4, 2010 | Friendship Quilt Guild | 60 | None |
| Log Cabins - Timeless Treasures | Ft. Worth, TX | Sept. 17, 2009 | Trinity Valley Quilters' Guild | 271 | Marilyn Hardy* Serena Vrnak |
| Plano Stars | Plano, TX | Aug. 13-16, 2009 | Quilters Guild of Plano | 246 | De Leclair* |
| Celebration of Quilts | Oklahoma City, OK | June 14-16, 2009 | Quilter's Guild of Central Oklahoma | 340 | De Leclair* |
| For the Love of Quilts | Lawton, OK | Feb. 19, 2009 | Wichita Mountains Quilt Guild | 145 | Donna Skvarla |
| Legacy of Quilts | Austin, TX | Sept. 25, 2008 | Austin Area Quilt Guild | 325 | Sally Hatfield* De LeClair* Marilyn Hardy* Cynthia England |
| Shades of Texas | Killeen, TX | Sept. 18, 2008 | Crossroads to Texas Quilt Guild | 155 | Fran Snay |
| 2008 New Braunfels Quilt Show | New Braunfels, TX | July 25, 2008 | New Braunfels Area Quilt Guild | 160 | De LeClair* Marcia Kaylakie Cynthia England Patty Cline |
| Golden Triangle Quilt Show | Beaumont, TX | January 18, 2008 | Golden Triangle Quilt Guild | 311 | Nell Smith* Patti Hempin |
| A Fiesta of Quilts | San Antonio, TX | Sept. 12-13, 2007 | Greater San Antonio Quilt Guild | 231 | Sally Hatfield* Sandy Mehall |
| Centennial Celebration of Quilts | Oklahoma City, OK | July 23-24, 2007 | Central Oklahoma Quilters Guild, Inc. | 320 | De LeClair* |
| Midnight in the Garden | Kerrville, TX | May 23, 2007 | Hill Country Quilt Guild | 140 quilts and 38 blocks |
Sandy Mehall |
| Lee County Fair and Rodeo | Giddings, TX | May 16, 2007 | Kieschnick Construction | 95 | Patty Hempin |
| The New West | Arlington, TX | May 3, 2007 | Quilters' Guild of Arlington | 110 | De LeClair* |
| Quilts Over Texas | Katy, TX | March 8, 2007 | West Houston Quilter's Guild | 210 | Marcia Kaylakie Patty Hempin |
| Don't Mess With Mother Nature | Shreveport, LA | October 3-5, 2006 | Red River Quilters | 190 | none |
| Conquering the West | Fort Worth, TX | September 15, 2007 | Trinity Valley Quilters'Guild of Fort Worth | 295 | De LeClair* |
| Waco Quilt Show | Waco, TX | August 17, 2006 | Homespun Quilters' Guild | 149 | Laura Hobby-Syler Sandy Mehall |
| Big Hearted Houston | Houston, TX | July 27, 2006 | Quilt Guild of Greater Houston | 148 | Brenda Jeschke |
| Stitchin' In the Garden | New Braunfels, TX | July 20, 2006 | New Braunfels Area Quilt Guild | 160 | Marcia Kaylakie Patty Cline De LeClair Jean Laman |
| Friendship Quilt Guild Show | Brenham, TX | February 11, 2006 | Friendship Quilt Guild | 42 | None |
| Wildflower Quilt Show | Temple, TX | September 26, 2005 | Wildflower Quilt Guild | 120 | De LeClair |
| San Angelo Quilt Show 2005 | San Angelo, TX | June 15-16, 2005 | Concho Valley Quilter's Guild | 96 | None |
| Rhapsody in Bloom | Dimmitt, TX | March 30-31, 2005 | Ogallala Quilters Society | 185 | None |
| G.T.T. : Gone to Texas | Lake Jackson, TX | February 24, 2005 | Plantation Quilting Guild | 125 | Winnie S. Fleming Dr. Alma Fonseca |
| 2005: A Floral Fantasy | Rosenberg, TX | February 10, 2005 | West Houston Quilt Guild | 230 | De LeClair Marcia Kaylakie |
Biographies
These are several short biographies that can be inserted into you guild newsletter, quilt show program, etc. Please use these as shown here, without editing. If you would like to make changes in them, please contact me first.
After long acquaintance with needle, thread, and scissors including three years as a stitcher for the Theater Arts Department of Texas A&M University, Connie Silber began quilting in 1989. She has been an active member of the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild since 1991. While interested in all aspects and techniques of quilting, Connie's own work focuses on creative thinking, color use, original designs and scrapping techniques. Her quilts have won awards in both her local guild and the National Quilting Association. She has judged quilt shows throughout Texas as well as shows in Oklahoma and Louisiana. In May 2001, she was one of three judges for the International Machine Quilters Association Machine Quilters Showcase in Springfield, Illinois. In June 2008, Connie satisfied the requirements established by The National Quilting Association, Inc. and became a Certified Judge of Quilting.
Connie has been married to her wonderful husband Steve for 40 years, and they have two sons Eric and Kyle. Eric and wife Carla are both Aggies, and they are the parents of our grandchildren Nina and Seth. Kyle, who was named long before residing in Aggieland, is also graduate of Texas A&M and working in Dallas. He and his wife Katie (RN, no Aggie) live and work in the Dallas area.
During the 1980's, Connie was self-employed with custom sewing and alterations in her home. This venture led to her position as a Professional Stitcher for the Theater Arts Department of Texas A&M University from 1988-91 where she stitched for nine period productions. Connie began quilting in 1989. She has been an active member of the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild since 1991. While interested in all aspects and techniques of quilting, Connie's own work focuses on creative thinking, color use, original designs and scrapping techniques. Her quilts have won awards in both her local guild and the National Quilting Association. Connie was also a participant in the NQA Quilt Judging Seminar in Omaha, Nebraska in June 1999 under the instruction of Anita Shackelford, Carol Butzke and Klaudeen Hansen. In May 2001, Connie was one of three judges selected to judge the International Machine Quilters Association Machine Quilting Showcase in Springfield, IL. Since 1999, she has judged many quilt shows across Texas as well as shows in Oklahoma and Louisiana. In June 2008, Connie satisfied the requirements established by The National Quilting Association, Inc. and became a Certified Judge of Quilting.
Connie has been married to her wonderful husband Steve for 40 years, and they have two sons Eric and Kyle. Eric and wife Carla are both Aggies, and they are the parents of our grandchildren Nina and Seth. Kyle, who was named long before residing in Aggieland, is also graduate of Texas A&M and working in Dallas. He and his wife Katie (RN, no Aggie) live and work in the Dallas area.
Connie Silber was born and raised in Paris, IL, and graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a BA in chemistry. Until 1976 Connie worked as an analytical chemist for the Materials Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois. During the 1980's, Connie was self employed with custom sewing and alterations in her home. This venture led to her position as a Professional Stitcher for the Theater Arts Department of Texas A&M University from 1988-91 where she stitched for nine period productions. She began quiltmaking in 1989 and joined the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild soon after.
Connie has been the recipient of awards in her Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild shows and at the Nation Quilters Association. Connie is an active teacher and lecturer for guilds throughout Texas. Connie was also a participant in the NQA Quilt Judging Seminar in Omaha, Nebraska in June 1999 under the instruction of Anita Shackelford, Carol Butzke and Klaudeen Hansen. In May 2001, Connie was one of three judges selected to judge the International Machine Quilters Association Machine Quilting Showcase in Springfield, IL. Since 1999 she has judged many quilt shows across Texas as well as shows in Oklahoma and Louisiana. In June 2008, Connie satisfied the requirements established by The National Quilting Association, Inc. and became a Certified Judge of Quilting.
Connie has been married to her wonderful husband Steve for 40 years, and they have two sons Eric and Kyle. Eric and wife Carla are both Aggies, and they are the parents of our grandchildren Nina and Seth. Kyle, who was named long before residing in Aggieland, is also graduate of Texas A&M and working in Dallas. He and his wife Katie (RN, no Aggie) live and work in the Dallas area.
Connie Silber was born and raised in Paris, IL, and graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a BA in chemistry. Until 1976 Connie worked as an analytical chemist for the Material Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois. During the 1980's Connie was self-employed with custom sewing and alterations in her home. This venture led to her position as a Professional Stitcher for the Theater Arts Department of Texas A&M University from 1988-91 where she stitched for nine period productions. Connie began quilting in 1989. She has been an active member of the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild since 1991. While interested in all aspects and techniques of quilting, Connie's own work focuses on color use, original designs and scrapping techniques. Her quilts have won awards in both her local guild and the 2000 National Quilting Association Show in Reno, NV. Connie was also a participant in the NQA Quilt Judging Seminar in Omaha, Nebraska in June 1999 under the instruction of Anita Shackelford, Carol Butzke and Klaudeen Hansen. In May 2001, Connie was one of three judges selected to judge the International Machine Quilters Association Machine Quilting Showcase in Springfield, IL. Since 1999 she has judged many quilt shows across Texas as well as Oklahoma and Louisiana. In June 2008, Connie satisfied the requirements and was certified by The National Quilting Association as a Certified Judge.