Hawaiian Quilting
From LoveToKnow Crafts
Hawaiian quilting is a distinctive art form using brightly colored fabrics and elaborate stitching. They often incorporate images of indigenous flowers and plants, and are truly stunning masterpieces of fabric and thread.
History of Hawaiian quilts
According to Quilts Hawaii, quilts evolved as an art form in Hawaii rather than a necessity, because the climate is mild. Hawaiian quilting really is different from other types of quilting in three basic ways:
- Whole pieces of cloth are used for the designs, instead of pieces like other quilts.
- Only two colors of fabric are used.
- The motif is cut using the “snowflake” method.
- The design motif is echoed in the quilting.
Missionaries to the islands introduced quilting to the native women. Because they didn’t have scraps of fabric lying around (since indigenous clothing often consisted of wraps made of whole cloth) they developed their own methods of quilt design.
Missionaries also influenced the way Hawaiian quilts are cut. The design part of the quilt is cut out in the same way that a child would make a paper snowflake. The fabric is folded several times and cut along the edge, ensuring that all sides of the design are symmetrical.
Hawaiian sensibility in quilting
In addition to having a different reason to make quilts, Hawaiians also tend to have a different attitude about making quilts. Not merely a utilitarian item, Hawaiian quilts reflect the beauty of the world around the quilters. A beautiful, well-balanced design was considered a gift, and the spirit of the person who made the quilt was said to live on in her work. Thus quilts were often destroyed when the quiltmaker died so her soul could be at peace.
Because of this, and the salty, humid environment of the islands, many old Hawaiian quilts are no longer in existence. Those quilts that still exist often are kept within a family and not often seen by outsiders. It is a recent occurrence that Hawaiian quilting has been openly taught and shared.
Hawaiian Quilting on Your Own
If you don’t have the luxury of going to Hawaii and taking a quilting class from a master at the craft, don’t worry. You can find a treasure trove of information about the craft on the Internet. Here are some good resources.
- Quilts Hawaii has a good tutorial and video about Hawaiian quilting.
- Poakalani and Company has instructions for Hawaiian quilts, as well as tips, hints and instructions for cutting out your pattern. If you’re ever in Honolulu, this is the place to take quilting classes or see a demonstration, as well.
- This site has a lengthy tutorial on Hawaiian quilting, and includes patterns that you can buy.
- Quilt Hawaiian offers all sorts of tips and instructions on Hawaiian quilting, including such good information as how to avoid fraying when working on your appliqué.
Hawaiian quilts are like a living art form. Each quilt is unique and carries the spirit and emotions of the person who designed and made the quilt. The spirit of generosity and attitude toward life found in Hawaiian quilts and their quilters is something that quilters everywhere and in every style can adapt to their own quilting projects. Remember to quilt with your heart, and put something of yourself into every project you do, and you will be quilting in Hawaiian spirit, if not Hawaiian style.
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