One of the categories of quilts that I haven’t yet tried, but am fascinated by is the traditional Hawaiian quilts that are so distinctive and have such specific traditions.

Before the arrival of the missionaries the 1800s the Hawaiian quilts or blankets were made from pounding the bark of trees until it was soft. Then they dyed the cloth and decorated it with geometric block patterns to use for bedding and ceremonial clothing. These traditions were passed down from generations and were somewhat a guarded process. Now the native
Hawaiian people are preserving this precious history and the art form has spread among younger Hawaiians.

When the Europeans arrived they were surprised by the tapa fabric and how it was made and assumed that it was cotton.When the missionaries came in the early 1820s they were accompanied by their wives who had brought woven fabric and steel needles and began to teach the Hawaiians how to make quilts. The Hawaiians thought it didn’t make sense to cut the fabric into small pieces only to sew them back together. The missionaries had taught the children how to cut paper snowflakes. They found they could fold the fabric and cut it in a similar way to make repeating patterns that made more sense to them. There is also a theory that this style of pattern was inspired by the shadow of a fruit and the branch of a tree.

What ever the inspiration, there are certain things that are common to a Hawaiian quilt. The designs traditionally reflect nature or everyday objects. Families are celebrated and cherished so designs that bring back memories of departed loved ones are popular. They don’t use animals or people in their
designs, with the exception of turtles, which show up occasionally.

The patterns are often created using only two colors, the design color and the background. And the quilting traditionally is done in an echo of the colored shape with the rows of quilting radiating out in widths that are measured by a finger.The quilts are traditionally created for events of significance, such as a wedding or a new baby. The patterns illustrate the love they have for their
island life.

The pink quilt above is a depiction of a breadfruit. This may have been the first design used. Traditionally this design will lead you to a fruitful life and is a common design to begin a journey with Hawaiian quilts.

The designs can vary from simple to extremely intricate. They can also be made of smaller patterns assembled to make a bed size or they can be cut painstakingly out of a large piece of fabric.

Here you can see the incredible hand quilting that goes closely together and closely around the appliquéd designs. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to tackle this sort of quilting on my long arm...

Here are a few more choice examples of these spectacular pieces. They are rightly viewed as cherished possessions handed down in families.

Another type of Hawaiian quilt that is specific to the islands is a variation on the typical pattern, but the people of Hawaii have always been very patriotic and drawn to patriotic themes and colors. The first one below shows the crown of the queen and the Hawaiian coat of arms and was made around 1900. The other was made around the same time and shows the royal flag of
Hawaii, which was designed combining the stripes of the US flag and the Union Jack of the British flag.

Years ago I saw a job listing that was for a couple to work at a location in Hawaii. They needed a husband who had retail experience and a wife who could stay in a recreated house and demonstrate Hawaiian quilting. Since my husband had spent all his working life in retail and I was starting my interest in quilting I thought it would be perfect. My husband was less enthusiastic
about pulling up roots and moving that far away. For me, spending time in Paradise and quilting sounds about as close to heaven as I could get. I think I will start planning a red and white orchid or plumeria design.

— Queen Bee

Creating Hawaiian quilts is a beautiful way to honor and showcase this traditional quilting style. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Master Symmetrical Designs: Hawaiian quilts are known for their symmetrical appliqué patterns, often inspired by nature. Fold your fabric into quarters and cut a single design to ensure symmetry, similar to creating a paper snowflake. This method helps achieve the signature look.
2. Choose Bold, Solid Colors: Hawaiian quilts often use two main colors—one for the background and another for the appliqué. Choose vibrant, tropical colors like greens, blues, and reds, which reflect the islands’ natural beauty and create strong visual contrast.
3. Perfect Your Appliqué Technique: Appliqué is central to Hawaiian quilting. Practice smooth, rounded edges and invisible stitches to give your appliqué a clean, professional finish. Needle-turn appliqué is the traditional method, but raw-edge or fusible appliqué can also work if you prefer.
4. Incorporate Echo Quilting: Hawaiian quilts are typically finished with echo quilting, which creates a rippling effect around the appliqué. Start close to the design and quilt multiple lines at even intervals to accentuate the appliqué and give the quilt a dynamic, flowing appearance.
5. Embrace Hawaiian Themes and Motifs: Traditional Hawaiian quilts often depict motifs like flowers (such as hibiscus or plumeria), leaves, and other natural elements from the islands. Embrace these themes for an authentic look, and let the quilt tell a story or honor Hawaii’s natural beauty and culture.

These tips will guide you in creating a beautiful and authentic Hawaiian quilt that celebrates this art form’s unique style and tradition.

Featured YouTube Video

Your First Hawaiian Quilt

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