Hawaiian Quilting With Poakalani & Co.
… and Exploring the Art of Hawaiian Quilt designing with John Serrao
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…
Naupaka – The legend of the Naupaka speaks about love lost. One version tells the story of two lovers kept apart because they came from different social classes. One was banished to the mountain and the other to the sea. Unable to live apart they both died from broken hearts. Upon their graves grew…
Legends, stories and songs talks about the fragile and pretty pua ilima. Strung into leis and worn by all, the ilima is the designated flower of Oahu and a once a favorite flower of Queen Emma. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js677-bk8 Read more about the beautiful Pua Ilima. State…
Highly Prized by the Na Alii, the Kings and Queens of Hawaii, the Maile Lau Lii is one of the most treasured lei in Hawaii because of it’s difficulty to acquire and find. Today the maile lei is only given during very special occasions. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js663-bk8 Read…
My Tutu(Grandmother) was a lei seller. Her home was always filled with a variety of flowers and someone was always stringing the blossoms into beautiful leis, but of all the flowers they strung, by far the plumeria was the prettiest because of it’s variety of colors. 45″ x 45″ Designed…
Noname are quilts that are beautiful to look at but the name and type of flower has been forgotten. The true meaning of the design belongs only to the designer. John has several Noname quilts. He would see a plant or flower that he likes, make the design but have no idea what the flower…
Harry’s Fishing Tale Fishing with his brothers on the weekends for Harry was a time of relaxing, talking story and brothers kinship. 90″ x 90″ Personal Design by John Serrao Every Quilt Tells A Story…Harry is the husband of one of our quilters. During quilting class she would always tell us stories how…
John has several rules when designing, and one of those rules is…NO BIRDS.. Every time John designs a bird for a quilter the quilter eventually moves back to the mainland. So no birds but then a few days ago he came across this amazing orchid, a dove orchid. So…