Hawaiian Quilting With Poakalani & Co.
… and Exploring the Art of Hawaiian Quilt designing with John Serrao
Every once in a while we get requests for odd size designs. John didn’t understand the size or why, but he went ahead anyway and designed these 5 bed runners. Personally I think the designs are amazing and compliments the bedroom. Some quilters even made a framed quilt for the wall. Can you guess the…
I posted the 22″ x 22″ Dove Orchid Design/Pattern on October 3, 2014, since than John has designed the dove orchid for a larger quilt as well. One for a wall hanging 45″ x 45″ and another, which you see here is for the larger quilt. 90″x 90″ Designed by John…
You just gotta love Martha Stewart. I came across this photo on Pinterest and had to post it. I’m just loving the intricate design of the breadfruit(ulu) pattern on the cake . The meaning of the design is abundance in love, happiness and money.
Happy Halloween – No Ghost or Goblins, just witches on brooms hoping to have a little pumpkin for dinner but alas the scarecrow’s taking a stance, ” Away you witches, fly away and be gone”. 45″ x 45″, Designed by John Serrao
Canoe Paddling is one of very few Hawaiian Sports that is competitively practiced today. Competing in different divisions from Keiki, to High School , as well as adult and Senior canoe clubs it is an amazing sport that is seeped in old Hawaiian traditions. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao Yes, John’s design does…
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, especially the Big Island, where the full Sun Eclipse could be witnessed. Tia Waxman one of our quilters…
The Kahili Ginger is grown through out the Hawaiian Islands but unfortunately it is highly invasive and is slowly taking over Hawaii’s native plants. It was named the Kahili Ginger because it looked very similar to Hawaii’s Royal Standard. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js649-bk7 John created this design not only to…
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″ …
The Monkey Pod trees with its large umbrella canopy can easily be found in Hawaii’s parks shading the locals and tourist from Hawaii’s hot sun. The most famous monkey pod tree is of course the Hitachi Tree located in Moanalua Gardens while less famous but beautiful trees can be found at Iolani Palace, Nuuanu…
My mom Poakalani was a great story teller. She loved to talk about “HER” good old days; especially growing up with her sister Danette and cousin Francene and of course her home on School Street. She would reminisce about how they would dare each other to walk through Oahu cemetery at night and pick the…
Did you know that orchids is one of John’s favorite flowers. If he could he would grow orchids as a hobby. Unfortunately his daughter’s cat also loves to eat the orchids. So the only orchids he grows are the ones on his quilt designs. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js656-bk7
Did you know that the Hawaiians believed the Pineapple looked very similar to the Hala Fruit, so similar that the Hawaiians gave the pineapple the name Hala Kahiki meaning Fruit or Hala from a foreign place. So here is another Pineapple pattern one of the most requested designs of John’s. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John…
One of several lei’s mentioned in Hawaiian legends the Kauna’oa is mostly known for being the designated flower of Lanai Island. The orange and yellow vine can be found along coastal areas with sandy soils. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js639-bk7 Click on the photo to read more about the amazing Kauna’oa and here…
Sometimes unexpected gifts brings hope when we need it the most and this quilt arrived by mail for Poakalani at a time when she was feeling her worst and needed something, anything to lift her spirits. Poakalani loved this quilt depicting her love for hats and the beautiful Morning Glory blossoms. It brought her great…
John has two grandchildren both girls. The oldest mo’opuna(grandchild) was given John’s favorite Hawaiian name Pomaika’i which means blessed but all the quilters call her Missy, her bestowed upon nickname from her grandmother Poakalani. This quilt was designed by John for Missy…Hearts for a special girl from a very over protective grandfather. Quilted by Aunty Tomiko…