Workshop With Velda Newman
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 ( )