Hawaii in July and FREE Pattern

Sometimes we think we know what we're talking about and even publish it - yikes! Here is a page from Quilt Magazine 2004. Isn't this a beauty? But it's NOT a Hawaiian quilt!

Vintage red and white appliqué quilt owned by Polly Mello

I did some consulting on the Vintage Quilts Facebook page (which is filled with the best and brightest and most experienced in these things) and what I found out is that it is a Pennsylvania quilt! But doesn't it look Hawaiian?

I heard from several antique quilt experts who verified that it was indeed from PA and that it is wool appliqué! Here is an identical quilt, but only a top, owned by Polly Mello. I share it here with her permission.

Wool appliqué quilt top owned by Polly Mello

But, why does it look Hawaiian? Because of the influence of 18th century American missionaries who went to Hawaii and shared their skills.

"Fold, cut and sew appliqué is a technique used extensively in early Pennsylvania quilts. It was brought to Hawaii by 19th century missionaries, inspiring those elaborate and fascinating Hawaiian quilts." 

Here is a digital image of a Hawaiian pattern I had in a past calendar. It also appeared in Quilt Magazine in 2001.The name is Bluebonnet, but not sure if that's the original. I don't think there are any blue bonnet (flowers) in Hawaii. Can you imagine all the cutting on that!!!?

Would you like the pattern for this block? It's a pdf and it's for 1/4 of the block. You fold your template material into fourths and cut it out that way (see my previous post). Bluebonnet pattern for a 16" block.

It's quite intricate, but you might find real joy in all the stitching!