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Ursula Sylvan

I was born in Germany to parents that wanted to come to the United States. The quota system of the time put them on a 12 year waiting list, and my parents were happy to wait for that long - however, not there! So we moved to Chile and then after 9 years were able to come to the US. In Chile we learned all the handcrafts as part of the school curriculum such as crocheting, knitting and sewing. As an 8th and 9th grader I chose sewing as my elective to give me one class during the day from having to "listen" in the new language. Visual learning worked great!

I married my husband 36 years ago, we had 2 daughters. One is a teacher and quilter. The other one is a dress designer, so the love of sewing must be in our genes. I was introduced to quilting by a friend and my life has changed completely. I now teach many quilt classes and have lectured at several guilds. I have made over 400 quilts. I have sold some quilts, and donated many to several charity groups. I won "Best Use of Theme" award for a challenge quilt with the Conejo Quilt Guild. This is my first entrance to a juried collection.

My husband and I recently retired to Maui and have learned Hawaiian quilting, traditional as well as contemporary methods. I am pleased to no end that one of my Hawaiian contemporary quilts was accepted into the San Jose Museum of Quilts in 2003 and another quilt was accepted into the Island Heritage Contemporary Quilts Calendar for the year 2005. I have entered my quilts into guild shows for many years and will keep growing in my pursuit and love of quilting.