Adding Dimension to your Quilts
When you catch your breath after viewing one of Velda Newman’s
astonishingly lifelike nature quilts, you have to ask yourself,
“how does she do that?” She generously tells and shows how in
complete detail in her book. She was a painter before she was a
quilter and her tools and techniques are largely those of a painter:
paint, pencils, crayons and pastels. And her surface embellishments
include reverse applique, tucks and an array of stitching and
quilting stitches. From a master drawing or tracing each unit is
traced, cut and finished nearly entirely as a unit: the fabric and
lightweight batting sandwiched together is enhanced with some
of the painting techniques and some of the stitching techniques.
When all the units are individually layered and embellished they
are then composed and appliqued to the master with another layer
of lightweight batting in the center.Some final fine definition is
painted, crayoned or pencilled and then the final quilting is done.
There are illustrations and exercises throughout to assist in mastering
the techniques. Velda’s instructions take some of the fear and mystery
out of paint on fabric and her glorious designs are an irresistible
invitation to take the challenge to add a painterly touch to your art
quilt from nature.
Catherine Smith
October 3, 2010
