… and Exploring the Art of Hawaiian Quilt designing with John Serrao
There were two types of Mamo patterns when my Tutu Correa quilted back in the 1920’s. Sometimes the Mamo represented the beautiful Yellow Lehua Blossoms and sometimes the Mamo bird known for it’s yellow feathers and used to make the feather capes for Hawaii’s Na Alii. This quilt is for the fragile Yellow Lehua Blossoms….
When Poakalani was a little girl she asked her grandmother, ” Where do babies come from?” and her grandmother told her that they found her underneath the Rose Bush in the front yard. From that time Poakalani loved roses especially that Rose bush in her front yard. This quilt was designed for those days of…
The Pink Ginger like the Red Gingers are seen throughout the islands, changing Hawaii’s Landscape into tiny mini-gardens. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrrao/js655-bk7
The Lily Pond is starting to become a very popular quilt design not because of it’s lilies and lotus blossoms but it’s Japanese Carp and their rainbow colors. 90″ x90″ Designed by John Serrao Did you know that the most expensive Koi Carp sold for over 2 million dollars. Beautiful on a quilt…
Every two years we hold a quilt exhibit in conjunction with the Honolulu Festival. It’s an amazing partnership where we can showcase our students quilts at Hawaii’s premier venue, The Hawaii Convention Center. As part of the quilt show the quilters work on special themed quilts or we introduce new patterns. This past quilt show…
The Cup of Gold is also known as the Golden Chalice Vine or Hawaiian Lily. Read more about this amazing vine and why it’s one of Cissy’s favorite flowers. 90″ x 90″ Design by John Serrao http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Apr/07/il/FP604070322.html The first time I really noticed this vine was in 2012 when I visited Allerton Gardens on Kauai…
The Hawaiian Hibiscus, a favorite quilt design of John’s is seen everywhere you look on the island of Oahu where it’s many species colors an already beautiful landscape. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao
The number 88 is considered Good Luck to the Chinese and Chinese Mangoes grows abundantly in the yards of many island homes. A quilt pattern of 88 mangoes makes for good fortune and prosperity in your home. Read about the Bombucha Mango’s http://tastyislandhawaii.com/2010/07/17/bombucha-mango/
‘Ulu is associated with many Hawaiian myths and legends.Legend traces its origin to a time of famine when Ku, the god of building and war, buried himself in the earth near his home. He later turned into an `ulu tree so that his wife and children would not starve. Ku had told his wife that…
Queen Emma’s Garden in Nuuanu was once filled with Torch Gingers and Shell Gingers. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao Before teaching at the Iolani Palace Archives building we were honored to teach for about 13 years at the Queen Emma Summer Palace in Nuuanu. Located in lush…
The child of the sea…Dolphins and Turtles. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao Many tales speak of how the dolphins came to the rescue of many swimmers in distress in our Hawaiian Oceans. Friends to our island people the dolphins are forever loved as a guardian, friend and child of the sea. Read more…
Heleconia Garden – Inspired by our quilter Elsie who loves to share with us her garden stories and who inspired John to create this pattern. 90″x 90″ Designed by John Serrao Personal Design One of my favorite places to visit when I’m on Hawaii island is the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. After you visit this…
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
The most popular Hawaiian Quilt Design is the Ulu (Breadfruit Design) Many legends are associated with this fruit but for a Hawaiian quilter it is believed that if you make this design first you will not want for anything in life from food to money. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js666-bk8
