Hawaiian Quilting With Poakalani & Co.
… and Exploring the Art of Hawaiian Quilt designing with John Serrao
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…
Morning Glory – Birthday Flower for the month of September carries the meaning of simple symbols of affection and love that is continually returned.. 22″ x 22″ Designed by John Serrao – Click on the Design for the PDF Pattern
National Symbols of Japan Found throughout Japan wherever a Shinto shrine exist, the Torii symbolizes the gateway to a Sacred Place. Where only the good and pure may enter. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js646-bk7 Read more about the Torii and it’s meaning by clicking on…
Orchid blossoms is a favorite at weddings for center pieces, bride’s bouquets, corsages and even in the brides hair. In some weddings the guests even throw orchids instead of the traditional rice. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js651-bk7
Spending the summer with his grandparents in Laie John always spoke about cleaning the Taro Patches and the O’opu that lived within its water. This quilt was designed by John for those summer days in the country. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js662-bk8 Read more about the O’opu…
You can tell how rare or popular a flower is when you find very few images on the Internet and for the Mauna Loa Vine very few images exist. So when John was visiting Hana years ago and came across the Mauna Loa Vine he was…
It only takes 5 days of traveling on the Mainland for me to start missing my island home. Hawaii doesn’t have the amazing four seasons, especially Winter and Fall like the mainland, but we have that nonstop floral blossoms blooming year round, every day rain or shine. This quilt was designed for Hawaii’s Sunny Winter…
Hapuu Fern – The curls of the young lacy fronds slowly opens into larger leaves that can grow up to 15 feet in length and the tree 15-20 feet tall. Found mostly in the wetlands of the islands the Hapuu held water and helped the Hawaiians survive during times of drought and famine. 45″ x 45″ Designed…
Another favorite design of John’s because of it’s long lines and simple uncomplicated beauty, the Heleconia comes in various colors and perfect for the larger floral arrangements. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js672-bk8