Austin Area Quilt Guild

Austin Area Quilt Guild's 2026 Capital of Texas QuiltFest

Judges

Diane Declair

Diane (De) is a self-taught appliqué artist who has been crafting quilts since 1981. Her quilts feature the colors of nature and showcase her love for appliqué. De is known for her fine hand quilting but is also an avid long arm quilter. Her work has appeared and won awards at local, regional and national quilt shows including six Best of Show Awards, six Viewer’s Choice Awards, Merit Hand Quilting Awards and Best Machine Quilting Award. She is the recipient of the distinguished Masterpiece Quilt Award given by the National Quilt Association for Coeur du Vigne.

Jane Haworth

Jane is a self-taught quilter who draws inspiration from photos, her love of color and pattern and the natural world. Her vibrant quilts are approachable for beginners, with techniques that are both relaxing and addictive and have been exhibited in shows across the U.S., reflecting her storytelling through fabric. Jane teaches nationally and internationally including IQF Houston and Empty Spools Seminars. She has appeared on Quilting Arts TV and The Quilt Show (May 2025). Her book, Capture Your Own Life with Collage Quilting (Landauer Publishing), was released in Fall 2023.

Diane Pitchford

Diane has been sewing on a machine since the age of four. Her mother was an avid seamstress but her three sisters never learned to thread a needle. Diane began quilting in the late 70’s and after a 27-year career in the electronics industry, quilting took over her life. She lectures and teaches a variety of quilting classes in addition to being both a longarm and hand quilter. Diane has received numerous quilting awards on the local and national level, including Best of Show, Exemplary Hand Quilting, Exemplary Machine Quilting and Exemplary Workmanship.

Diane has been very active in local and national organizations including President of The Arizona Quilters Guild and Show Director for both the National Quilting Association and the AQG. Her major accomplishments include earning the designation of NQA Certified Judge in 2011 and being inducted into the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame in 2012. To date, Diane has judged over 11,000 quilts. Diane is also a member of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges.

Shawn Sickle

As a quilt judge, Shawn Sickle approaches each show with equal parts admiration and respect for the artistry on display. Her journey began in 2010 with a single quilt made for her newborn granddaughter—an experience that awakened a deep passion for the craft. With roots grounded in family tradition and years spent attending quilt shows alongside her mother, quilting quickly became an integral part of Shawn’s life.
In 2018, she expanded her skills through longarm quilting, deepening her technical knowledge, and enhancing her creative process. This growth naturally led her to the world of quilt judging, where she found purpose in supporting other quiltmakers and celebrating their unique voices.
Shawn has been earning recognition in both the Cherrywood and Hoffman Fabric Challenges and her work has also been juried into Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) exhibits, reflecting her commitment to artistic excellence. Additionally, she serves on the Quilt Show Committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
From the judge’s table, Shawn sees each quilt as an opportunity to uplift and empower its maker. She brings thoughtful evaluation, heartfelt encouragement, and a deep appreciation for the stories stitched into every piece.

Austin Area Quilt Guild is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. P.O. Box 5757, Austin, TX 78763