So during one of John’s creative moments he designed 6 amazing circular patterns. I believe they are some of his best designs and many others also agree but during this creative moment he randomly gave away the original designs(I think we have copies, no sure yet) So it’s always a surprise when someone comes to the class and opens up the quilt they’re working on and finding one of the circular designs. The Ipu(Gourd) quilt designed by John Serrao a work in progress by Pineapple Keiko. Amazing colors.
One of John’s circle designs. Not easy to lay out but when it’s all done WOW. Great job Hiromi. Plumeria Design.
It is believed that under the Bodhi Tree Lord Buddah received enlightenment, but finding a Bodhi Tree in Hawaii is quite rare. So John with creative assistance from Doris created this Hawaiian quilt pattern of the Bodhi Tree. Doris believes that quilting this design will bring her peace and tranquility. An amazing design for an amazing lady.
About a month ago John created a series of circular full size 90″ x 90″ Hawaiian quilt designs. His intention was to place it on the commercial market for sale but after designing this particular circular Hawaiian Fish Hook pattern he said it’s already spoken for someone special. So when we were packing for the Yokohama Quilt Show he folded up the quilt pattern and packed it in his bag. On the first day of the Yokohama Quilt Show John actually gave the pattern to one of our quilters FOR HER HUSBAND, who we nicknamed Lucky Charm. So unexpected and laughable because we knew she would be the quilter in this amazing gift. Yesterday at our Saturday quilt class at the Iolani Palace Mie showed us the beautiful design in fabric, cut and basted and ready for applique and what an amazing design it is. Her Lucky Charm Yoshi loves it and so do we.

Vintage Kukui Nut Design. Quilted by Tomoko Kato. I love the colors on this quilt as well as the symmetrical circular design.

Vintage Carnation Design, Quilted by Kimi Kumagai – One of my favorite designs after I saw it completed. I love how the vases were quilted.
Tutu Caroline Correia, Poakalani’s Grandmother was also an avid Hawaiian quilter. Born in 1886 she moved from Ka’u on Hawaii Island to Honolulu when she was only 12. Soon after married at a very young age started her family and began her quilting passion. Poakalani often spoke of her home being full with women quilting and sharing stories. Two quilt designs in this past Yokohama exhibit was from Tutu Correia’s pattern collection. Enjoy the old styling of the Traditional Hawaiian designs. Thank you to Kimi and Tomoko for quilting patterns from her collection. Beautiful designs, beautiful quilts… Made by Beautiful Ladies
We’re home from the most amazing Hawaiian quit exhibit held in Yokohama, Japan… and here are a few quilts we wanted to share with you.
It was a huge undertaking that started back in 2012 when we first attempted to have all Eight Hawaiian Islands represented in our 2014 Hawaiian Quilt Exhibit at the Honolulu Festival. Eight volunteers came forward to make Six 90″x 90″ Island patterns designed by John Serrao and two Designed by Certified Poakalani Teachers Kimi Kumagai and Nobuko Nakagawa. All designated island flowers in their designated island colors. Unfortunately at the 2014 Hawaiian Quilt Exhibit we were missing 1 island. It was a huge disappointment. So in 2016 after the theme was decided for the 2017 Yokohama Quilt Exhibit, which were the prefecture flowers of Japan, we again decided again to showcase the Hawaiian Island Quilts unfortunately now the Big Island of Hawaii quilt was no longer available as well as the Oahu Ilima, and of course poor Kahoolawe still needed to be completed. So again three ladies volunteered to complete the missing quilts but this time they only had one year and they did it in record time. So after many years we were finally able to have a quilt exhibit with all eight quilts representing the eight islands and their designated flowers. We also added the Hawaiian Flag Quilt by Tomiko Okada to complete this section of the exhibit. Please enjoy the beautiful quilts of Hawaii. All in their island colors as well as flowers. Thank you to all the ladies…Mie Tashiro, Yoshimi Suzuki, Takako Jenkins, “Hana” Yoko Nakamura, Chikako Asano, Kimi Kumagai, and Nobuko Nakagawa who volunteered their time, money and labor to make this quilt exhibit successful. Our awesome ladies. Sorry everyone these patterns are personal designs and not available on the commercial market
We’ve had one of the busiest years…ever but we all can count on Pat to focus and make us proud. Another quilt by Pat. The amazing and beautiful Hapu’u fern. Those amazing leaves that unfurl into a larger leaf. Congratulations
It’s been a busy year so again sad to say there will be no class on August 5 and we’ll see everyone back on August 12. But I’ll leave you with this amazing applique by Susan. Ti Leaf design with a floating lei ready to be quilted.
It was a nice surprise to see Ikumi at class on Saturday. She was homesick for Hawaii and we’ve been missing our Ikumi. She shared her next quilt of Whales swimming in the ocean below the Makapuu Lighthouse. Her design and it’s beautiful. Great Job Ikumi. Glad you came home for a short visit.
Thank you Hiromi for making a special trip to our class so we can admire your completed queen size quilt the “Cup Of Gold”. So beautiful and the colors reminds me of those days in the 60’s and 70’s when the Hawaiian quilt colors were bold and strong.
We had an amazing time laying out this beautiful quilt for a fellow quilter. A great day in many ways. Designed by John.
Congratulations to Maluhia for completing Aunty’s Chrysanthemum Closet Quilt. Generations old and lovingly mended and quilted. Vintage Design Applique by Aunty and Quilted by Maluhia. So Beautiful.
Using a 45″ x 45″ design for the center of the quilt and then adding a Staghorn Fern border lei creates a beautiful 90″ x 90″ Full Size Quilt. Congratulations Anne-Marie for a beautiful quilt. One of the many you made. Awesome applique and quilting by Anne-Marie. Quilt Design by John Serrao.
We’re back at the Palace this Saturday. Come and join us for another weekend of Hawaiian Quilting and Congratulations to Rumi who not only finished her Anthurium wall hanging but also laid out and basted her next week. Wow! She’s living her Dream.