Hawaiian Quilting With Poakalani & Co.
… and Exploring the Art of Hawaiian Quilt designing with John Serrao
In our quilting classes our goal is for our students to complete a larger 90″ x 90″ Hawaiian quilt. When my Tutu’s quilted they made the larger quilts, the smaller cushion/wall hangings was a new concept introduced by John and Poakalani Serrao in 1972 for the beginner quilter.
Part of John’s Native Hawaiian Plants Series The Alena, a native medicinal plant was used as a diuretic for the Hawaiian people and also eaten as a famine food. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao. Kanaha Beach on Maui is home to many things native Hawaiian from plants, insects, birds, fish to corals and…
Pua Aloalo – Hibiscus – Hawaii’s State Flower and always a favorite design among quilters. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao
Ohelo Berries are found mostly in Volcano National Park on Hawaii Island. The berry slightly tart to sweet is a favorite among the locals for jellies and Jams and also loved by Hawaii’s State bird the Nene Goose. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao – Personal Design Legends of the Ohelo Berries…
Everyone loves the Bird of Paradise because of it’s unique shape and colors but while it was not a popular design in vintage quilts it is very popular in today’s contemporary quilts. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao
After Mie’s deep sea fishing adventure in Kona she wanted a quilt design to remember that day. For Mie and Yoshi may you have many more great adventures. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao (Personal Design)
The Monstera Plant continues to complement Hawaii’s beauty. The large leaves is seen throughout the islands in gardens, parks, yards and also in the lush mountains and valleys. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao
The Iris not native to the islands but beautiful in color and style among the native plants of Hawaii. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao
We all remember those Keiki Days when our parents would take us on a car ride around the island. If dad started our trip on the west side of the island even before we reached the ocean we would see miles of Pineapple and Sugar Cane Fields, from the Ewa Plain, Waialua, to Wahiawa. Today…
Playing an integral role in Hawaiian culture the bamboo had many uses from storage vessels, musical instruments to bamboo stamps. John created this design to show the simplistic beauty of the bamboo. This pattern is great for the beginner quilter. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao
I’m forever blowing bubbles Pretty bubbles in the air They fly so high, nearly reach the sky Then like my dreams they fade and die Fortune’s always hiding I’ve looked everywhere I’m forever blowing bubbles Pretty bubbles in the air In 2007 while at our quilting class at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center John was…
Waikahalulu – Today known as the Liliuokalani Gardens which was once filled with an abundance of exotic flowers. Red Gingers, Yellow Gingers, Bird of Pradise, Torch Gingers and of course the Heleconia. This quilt was designed for that secret hideaway in lower Nuuanu. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao. My Tutu Correa’s home…
In Hana the Papaya Trees grows tall, very tall. The flowers reaches out from it’s center and branches out. John created this design to remember the Papaya Trees that grows in the remote and beautiful town of Hana. Pattern 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao Take A Trip To…
Traditionally you never drew a Hawaiian Quilt pattern with more than one type of flower or plant in the design. Like Mealii Kalama, one of Hawaii’s most renown quilter and designer said,” God never intended for two types of flowers to grow from the same root”. But John being kolohe(rascal) told Mealii that it’s okay…
The symbol of hearts and roses has always been associated with Love, Valentines Day and of course the month of February. John designed this quilt in honor of the month of February as part of our Holiday Series. Pattern: 45″x 45″ Designed and Copyright by John Serrao Learn how to say Happy Valentines Day in…
Memory quilts are those that are designed about a special memory that one holds dear. This pattern was created when John was reminiscing about the old days and diving among the reefs on the North Shore of Oahu. From the eels, to the turtles and manta ray memories of old, like a picture taken in…