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 the Dallas, San Antonio, Austin Quilt Shows and the Houston International Quilt Festival relatively close.
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 examined and explained 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 NQA Judge Certification program. In June 2008, I satisfied the requirements and was certified as a National Quilting Association Certified Judge of Quilting. Subsequently, I satisfied the requirements and am NQA qualified to evaluate Masterpiece Quilts. I became a member of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ) in 2015 when it took over the NQA certified judging program after the NQA ceased operations. There are currently 56 NACQJ certified judges in the US and I am very proud to be one of them.
I am also an avid reader and researcher. I read and learn from the public library with interlibrary loans, the Texas A&M University library, and my personal library which includes several quilt magazines. I have also discovered The Smithsonian Institution can be a very good source for locating, identifying, and researching specific or obscure quilt making details. The internet has provided a wealth of information on all areas of quilting and quiltmaking. But I still like to hold the book in my hands and enjoy the printed word. My annotated bibliography of quilt study is available upon request.
Professional References | |
| De Leclair | Marilyn Hardy |
| dequilts(at)sbcglobal(dot)net | marilyn(at)hardyventures(dot)com |
| 8411 Overlook Path | 1600 Royal Oak Dr |
| San Antonio, TX 78249 | Tyler, TX 75703 |
| 210-680-3020 | 903-561-8407 903-372-1637 |
| Shows Judged | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show Name | Location | Date | Sponsor | Number of Quilts | Other Judges * == Certified |
| Waco, TX | Feb.16, 2017 | Homespun Quilters' Guild | 110 | None | |
| Jefferson, TX | Jan. 24-25, 2017 | Jefferson Regional Quilt Alliance | 122 | None | |
| Shreveport, LA | Sept. 27-29, 2016 | Red River Quilters | 210 | None | |
| Austin, TX | Sept. 14, 2016 | Austin Quilt Guild | 376 | De Leclair*, Marilyn Hardy*, Serena Vrnak* | |
| Fredricksburg, TX | Aug. 31, 2016 | Vereins Quilt Guild | 150 | De Leclair*, Marcia Kaylakie | |
| New Braunfels, TX | July 21, 2016 | New Braunfels Area Quilt Guild | 182 | De Leclair*, Ginny Eckley | |
| Clifton, TX | June 7-8, 2016 | Bosque Arts Center | 65 | None | |
| Wichita, KS | June 13-14, 2016 | Prairie Quilt Guild | 175 | None | |
| Houston, TX | May 11-12, 2016 | Lakeview Quilter's Guild | 240 | De Leclair* | |
| Slidell, LA | April 4-6, 2016 | Gulf States Quilting Association | 360 | Marilyn Hardy* | |
| Corsicana, TX | Oct. 1, 2015 | Piecemakers Quilt Guild | 92 | None | |
| Sulphur Springs, TX | Sept. 16-18, 2015 | Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild | 128 | None | |
| Oklahoma City, OK | July 14, 2015 | Central Oklahoma Quilters Guild, Inc. | 275 | De Leclair* | |
| The Woodlands, TX | April 15, 2015 | Woodlands Area Quilt Guild | 124 | De Leclair* | |
| Pearland, TX | April 8, 2015 | Bay Area Quilt Guild | 165 | JoLynn O'Neil, Catherine Purifoy | |
| Tyler, TX | March 17, 2015 | Quilters Guild of East Texas | 350 | None | |
| Lake Jackson, TX | February 25, 2015 | Plantation Quilting Guild | 175 | Cynthia England | |
| New Braunfels, TX | July 24, 2014 | New Braunfels Area Quilt Guild | 200 | De Leclair*, Ginny Eckley | |
| Tulsa, OK | June 3, 2014 | Green Country Quilters Guild | 326 | Serena Vrnak*, Marilyn Hardy* | |
| Columbus, OH | May 18, 2014 | National Quilting Association | 335 | Anita Shakelford*, Kate Eelkema* | |
| Houston, TX | May 14, 2014 | Lakeview Quilters Guild | 225 | Marcia Kaylakie | |
| Slidell, LA | March 17, 2014 | Gulf States Quilting Asociates | 278 | De Leclair* | |
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.
In June 2008, Connie satisfied the requirements established by The National Quilting Association, Inc. and became a Certified Judge of Quilting. Since then she has satisfied the NQA requirements and is qualified to evaluate Masterpiece Quilts. She is one of the 62 Certified Judges in the US. She is a member of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the successor to the now-defunct NQA. She has judged quilt shows throughout Texas as well as many other states. In May of 2014, she was part of the NQA Quilt Show judging team in Columbus, OH. Her quilts have won awards in her local guild, Dallas, San Antonio, Indiana Heritage, Minnesota State, Home Machine Quilting Show, and the National Quilting Association. Her work has been featured in ‘American Quilter’ and in ‘Needlearts’. Connie’s ‘Ombré Garden’ was part of the NQA Certified Judges' Exhibit ‘Color Journey’ that toured the country for two years. Her 'Kites, Ho!' was part of the second NQA Certified Judges' Exhibit, 'Coastal Jog' which also toured for two years.
After moving to Texas A&M University in 1980, 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.
In June 2008, Connie satisfied the requirements established by The National Quilting Association, Inc. and became a Certified Judge of Quilting. She has also satisfied the NQA requirements and is qualified to evaluate Masterpiece Quilts. She is one of the 62 Certified Judges in the US. She is a member of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the successor to the now-defunct NQA. She has judged quilt shows throughout Texas as well as other states. In May of 2014, she was part of the NQA Quilt Show judging team in Columbus, OH. Her quilts have won awards in her local guild, Dallas, San Antonio, Indiana Heritage, Minnesota State, Home Machine Quilting Show, and the National Quilting Association. Her work has been featured in ‘American Quilter’ and ‘Needlearts’. Connie’s ‘Ombré Garden’ was part of the NQA Certified Judges Exhibit ‘Color Journey’ that toured the country for two years. Her 'Kites, Ho!'was part of the second NQA Certified Judges Exhibit, 'Coastal Jog' which also toured for two years.
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. After moving to Texas A&M University in 1980, 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. She remains active in her guild. Connie is also an active teacher and lecturer, and especially enjoys the opportunity to work with guilds. She believes the guild format provides an ideal atmosphere to educate and encourage quilters of all skill levels.
In June 2008, Connie satisfied the requirements established by The National Quilting Association, Inc. and became a Certified Judge of Quilting. Subsequently, she satisfied the NQA requirements and is qualified to evaluate Masterpiece Quilts. She is one of 62 Certified Judges in the US. She is a member of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the successor to the now-defunct NQA. She has judged quilt shows throughout Texas as well as many other states. In May of 2014, she was part of the NQA Quilt Show judging team in Columbus, OH.
Connie has been the recipient of awards in her Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild, Dallas, San Antonio, Indiana Heritage, Minnesota State, Home Machine Quilting Show, and at the Nation Quilters Association. Her work has been featured in ‘American Quilter’ and in ‘Needlearts’. Connie’s ‘Ombré Garden’ was part of the NQA Certified Judges' Exhibit ‘Color Journey’ that toured the country for two years. Her 'Kites, Ho!' was part of the second NQA Certified Judges' Exhibit, 'Coastal Jog' which also toured for two years.
Connie Silber has been an avid quilter since 1989. Her interest in judging culminated in her becoming an NQA Certified Judge of Quilting in 2008. Subsequently, she satisfied the NQA requirements and is qualified to evaluate Masterpiece Quilts. She is a member of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the successor to the now-defunct NQA. She has judged, lectured and taught workshops throughout Texas and in many other states. She is active in her local Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild and continues building her quilting skills and quilt knowledge.