Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 5, 1 April 1980 — Ka Hana Kapa Kuiki Hawaiian Quilting [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ka Hana Kapa Kuiki Hawaiian Quilting

The Art of quilting arrived with the missionaries and the Hawaiians, being very creative and innovative s ereated their own style that is unique. They used main!y two co!ors of fabric, the M Turkey" red and white at first. They cut their pattern from a single pieee of fsbric, usually t /i. Sfc?c li° n the white, "and unfolding it, let th'e design radiate from the center. Traditionally, the quills were done in 100% eoUon broadcloth, but there are examples of old quilts made of silk and satins. Quilts were filled with wool and cotton batts, but there are also examples of p.ulu, golden dow like fibers from ferns, and hairbeing used. Many old quilts were appliqued with the catch stitch that looks very mueh like a small cross stitch. Some used a blind stitch so no stitches wou!d show. And today, We see the overcast stlt6ti being used for the applique, The quilting was done with either a ruiiiiing stitch or stab stitch and took hours upon hours to complete, Today, the Hawaiian quilt is a tremendous part of the culture and history of Hawaiians, and eaeh is a remarkable gift of love, both in heart aād in craft,