The fabric was so gorgeous that we just couldn’t waste it. So John added a lei to the Lei Kukui Nut Design from his “Mai Kalani Mai” Series of Patterns. Don’t be afraid to enhance your commercial design to make it yours. Thank you Rula for letting me share you amazing quilt.
Similar to Trophies, Medal of Honors and Awards we can also honor from which we came through our quilters and their quilts . Thank you Mie for honoring our Polynesian family of Easter Island. Our ancestors were once one in blood, culture and traditions. This quilts was designed by John Serrao and quilted by Certified Quilt Instructor Mie Tashiro.
The Island Collection Series – Easter Island
A quilt for a friend who loves those furry friends and their meow’s. Two are in heaven and one is her best friend. Memory quilts of those we cherish. Designed and quilted by Naoko. Reverse applique. Click on the photo to see a close up the quilt.
Naoko is one of my favorite quilters. Her desire to quilt has made her diligent for perfection. Her stitches are close to perfect but her imagination to tell her stories through quilts it what makes her special. Every quilt she makes tells a story of her family, friends and of course herself.
Cut and Pinned and ready for basting
Completely Appliqued and prepped for quilting.
Wilma’s Masterpiece
Quilted by Wilma, Designed by John Serrao 60″ x 90″
One of my favorite quilts depicting my Hawaii. Palm trees, Canoes and Rainbows. Quilted by Takako Jenkins. Designed by John Serrao 90″ x 90″.
Before designing a quilt John always asks the quilter, “What is Your Story” and from there he is able to design quilts depicting a magical place in time, a favorite flower and even dreams for the future. This quilt shows Takako’s love for Hawaii.
The Cupid Quilt, designed and quilted by Sophie Ventura. As you can see there is no symmetrical design, just cupid and hearts placed on a background fabric and than sewn and quilted by machine. Aunty Sophie made this quilt in one day as a gift for her husband. Yes, she made it the day before Valentines day and finished it, but it’s an amazing quilt capturing an expression of love for her husband.
This quilt was part of our Family Quilt Show held at the Mission Housed Museum almost twenty years ago. Those two little girls in the photo are my nieces who are all grown up.
One of our first quilt shows at the Mission Houses Museum showcased several 45″ x 60″ wall hangings. These quilts were actually made to fit inside of a baby’s crib but after all the quilters expert handiwork they decided that hanging the quilt rather than placing it in the crib was of course a better choice and I whole hardheartedly agree. This quilt show cases one of Hawaii’s favorite flowers, the Maile Ilima. The sweet scented maile and ilima prized by Hawaiian Kings and Queens translates into a beautiful wall hanging. 45″ x 60″ Designed by John Serrao
Like the Hula and the Hawaiian Chants of Old making a quilt in memory of a King, Queen, Friend and loved one brings honor to them. This quilt made back in the 1990’s by Joomi Shiroma depicts whales and symbols of Hawaii prominent during the reign of Kamehameha II. Our beloved King was born in 1797 and reigned from 1819 to 1824. Unfortunately in 1824 he died in England with his wife Kamamalu. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao, Quilted by Joomi Shiroma
The Hawaiian Helmets of Old and Tabu Stick are shown in this quilt to symbolize traditional Hawaii, while the whales and fire and the center of the quilt symbolize a changing world coming to the Hawaiian people. Whaling season was at it’s peak during the reign of Kamehameha II.
Yuko I just had to post your photo from Facebook to my website. Bored on Molokai but look at those amazing Hawaiian Quilt Pillows. They are beautiful. You need to open a shop.
Yuko originally from Japan now lives with her husband on Molokai Island. She is a Poakalani Certified Instructor and amazing friend.
Cherry Blossom Quilt by Certified Instructor Kimi Kumagai shows another type of Contemporary Hawaiian quilting technique called reverse applique. While reverse applique is used in traditional Hawaiian quilting to accent flowers and leaves in this quilt it is only reverse applique that is shown. The Beautiful Cherry Blossoms slowly falling under the evening sky. Designed and Quilted by Kimi Kumagai. 90″x 90″
Kimi is one of our favorite quilters. She has been able to convey the art of Hawaiian quilting through many different techniques and incorporate not only Hawaiian themes but themes and traditions from her homeland. She learned to quilt from Poakalani and designing from John Serrao. She is currently teaching in Nagoya, Japan.
I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted but if I’m not posting I’m doing a lot of work behind the scenes . First congratulations to Pat on her awesome orchid quilt. Second, I’ve also added Pat’s Quilt Gallery under Quilt For Sales if anyone is interested in purchasing a Made In Hawaii Quilt. We’re lucky to have Pat who makes quilts not only for family and friends but the general public. Great Job Pat!
One of the Hawaiian Quilt traditions that was strictly followed in our family was that you “Never Sit On A Quilt”. You never sat on a quilt because the quilt was treated with great respect due to the time invested and the belief that the quilt is the embodiment of the creator’s spirit. To be respectful of the quilt demonstrated respect for the creator as well. You could sleep under the quilt, but never sit on top. The correct way to sit on a bed that was covered with a quilt was to life the corner of the quilt and then sit on the uncovered area.
The Sun Eclipse of July 11, 1991 was only seen in parts of Hawaii moving over the Pacific across Mexico, Central America, South America and ending in Brazil. People from all over the world flocked to Hawaii, well the Big Island, where the full Sun Eclipse could be witnessed. Tia Waxman one of our quilters was one of those people. She actually booked her hotel accommodations two years in advance to witness this rare sight and she was so mesmerized by this event when she returned to quilting class the following week she asked John to please design the “Eclipse Quilt” a quilted memory of her once in a life time adventure. Using a half fold instead of the traditional 1/8 fold John designed her “Eclipse Quilt”. Behind the palm trees where the hibiscus bush and the laua’e plant grows, looking out toward the ocean, the stars made their appearance only for a little while during the total Eclipse of the Sun. 45″ x 60″ Designed by John Serrao Quilted by Tia Waxman
The next eclipse which will be seen across the continuous United States and parts of Hawaii will be on August 21, 2017. Click the link to find your best viewing location.
http://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/2017_08_21/WherePartial#Hawaii
Hawaiian Lei Company
The popular maile/ilima lei is used, given, presented at many special occasions in Hawaii especially weddings, graduations, proms, and even blessings. It was also a favorite quilt design during the 1990’s. There are many Ilima/Maile patterns showing the flowers intertwined like the beautiful lei. 45″ x 60″ Personal Design by John Serrao. Poakalani Quilt Show /Mission Houses Museum.
The 45″ x 60″ quilt patterns were originally designed to fit a baby’s crib. Today they are being used more as wallhangings.
