One of the indicators of spring to me are the arrival of the Dogwood Blossoms. I call them blossoms but did you know they are called bracts. A bract is a fancy leaf and the nubby center is the flower. They are like a Poinsettia which are also bracts. Funny the things you learn when you do a little research. They are plentiful in this part of the Northwest and they also grow in Hawaii and many other mild climates.

You have admired Hawaiian quilts for years. Now, with this book and DVD you can design your very own Hawaiian quilt!

I have been doing a lot of thinking about my process and my work. Being one who loves handwork and the feel of nice cotton fabric. I have been thinking about what I am doing and why. We live in a world where everything is created quickly or available at a moment's notice. Slowing down and being thoughtful in what I do, and how I do it, is good for my health, well-being and, of course, my art.

I began my quilting experience with the idea that it was all about the end result and wanted to get there as quickly as possible. As I worked, I learned something about myself: the parts that excited me most were the things that took time and thought.

Hawaiian Quilt - "Na Lilia"

Did you know May has a flower of the month? We happen to have a Hawaiian Wall Quilt pattern with it, here is our Lilies of the Valley Hawaiian quilt pattern.

A bit about Hawaiian Quilts

One distinctive characteristic of Hawaiian quilts is that they are radially symmetrical to the eighth. What does that mean?? It means that if you draw lines on a Hawaiian quilt design through the center from top to bottom, side to side, and corner to corner what you see in each of the eight triangular segments will be nearly identical mirror images. The Angel's Trumpet quilt makes this very easy to visualize with its strong stems radiating from the center in all eight directions. While not all Hawaiian quilts have these strong diagonal design lines (take for example our Sea Turtles & Dolphins quilt) it is still true that nearly all Hawaiian designs have eight, radially symmetrical segments.

Your first Hawaiian quilt should be a breadfruit design." Have you ever heard that? Do you know why it is said?"

The Hawaiian word for breadfruit is 'ulu; and ulu means to grow, or increase. In Hawaiian arts and crafts the 'ulu symbolizes abundance. Nancy's Hawaiian quilting kumu (teacher) taught her that it also symbolizes greater creativity and more quilts. So, when you hear the advice that you should first make the 'ulu design, now you know why.

Travel projects

Enjoy Antje's Story:

Hawaiian-style

This versatile pattern can be used to make a quilt like this one, or individual blocks can be used to make small wall hangings, placemats, pillows, gift bags, or garment embellishments. Put three or four together for a table-runner, or narrow wall-hanging.

When we give thanks at this time of year we always celebrate the bounty of the fall harvest. Although, the flowers and plants in this Hawaiian runner are likely to bloom and present their bounty at varying times of the year.

Writing pattern instructions is not easy. Instructions need to be accurate, concise and complete. Providing information about a specific size for a Hawaiian quilt pattern introduces a number of variables. What we have done on our wall-quilt patterns is to assume that most suitable cotton fabrics average about 42" wide. Since Hawaiian quilts are square (with exceptions, of course) we state that the quilt is 42" square. We have designed the pattern to fit on a piece of fabric that is at least 42" square, but the fabric could be larger.

Q: Do I cut away the background fabric from behind the applique before quilting?

Pohopoho

When you are going to quilt a quilt do you limit yourself to just machine quilting or hand quilting?

I have had many questions in the last few months from customers wanting to create larger quilts using our Hawaiian Wall Quilts. There are so many ways you can combine the Hawaiian Wall Quilt Patterns and Block Patterns to create a larger piece.