Hawaii in July, Day One

Welcome July with me as we welcome the second block in the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian's Quilt-a-long. It is designed by Cissy Serrao who is a Hawaiian native and has created many beautiful Hawaiian quilt designs for many years. You can also have the FREE pattern for this block by clicking the link under the photo. This will take you to the Smithsonian site; scroll down, look for Cissy's photo, then you can download the 16 page pdf pattern with LOTS of great details about making the block.

Block 2: Kanani O Ka Home (10")

I have been thinking of my own Hawaiian inspired designs and many that were featured in our magazine pages over the years. So, I will be sharing those throughout the month of July with several of them FREE! But, first, let me show you (again) some authentic Hawaiian fabric squares that were scraps from making Hawaiian shirts. These are over 60 years old and my grandson Matteo helped me separate them into piles of matching prints.

300 Quilt Squares (4") from Hawaiian shirt remnants

My grandson and I separated these in 2021 by color and pattern. I have 18 different piles.

I can actually date these by the info on the side of the box. These were sold in a shop called Hukilau Fashions, Honolulu. The phone number does NOT have an area code. Area codes were introduced in Hawaii in 1957, two years before they became a state. Therefore, these cotton squares are at least 69 years old!

Isn't that pineapple (in 3 colors) at the top of the page awesome?!! I think these will be the basis for some home schooling craft classes I'm teaching in the Fall. The kids will have a super time mixing and matching all the colors to create a simple project.

Here's a simple Hawaiian inspired motif I used to make a few pillows. It's based on a Fleur de Lis.

Simple Fleur de Lis: block size is 14"

Here it is in pink. I made it for my sister Janet who took a trip to Hawaii and fell in love with these designs.

Simple Hawaiian design

But what happens if you cut out the appliqué on the wrong lines/folds? Look at the block above, now look at what happens when you don't pay attention . . .

I made this "mistake" about 20 years ago. As you can see, I cut those four motifs right down the center. And that funny looking patch in the middle - that is what you get as "waste." So I put it all together and I think it looks kind of cool, don't you?

Here's my machine raw edge stitching and quilting up close:

So - just a reminder - pay attention when you're cutting these things out! A lesson learned.

I will be sharing more beautiful Hawaiian quilts and designs throughout July. These Fleur de Lis actually have American roots - more on that coming.

See you in a few days with a few more Hawaiian inspired ideas!