Hawaiian Quilts at the 14th Annual Honolulu Festival
The 14th Annual Honolulu Festival highlighted Hawaiian Quilts at the Hawaii Convention Center by featuring Poakalani & Co., the well known Hawaiian quilting company owned by Oahu’s John Serrao and family. A display of over 60 quilts made by the students of Poakalani & Co. was displayed on March 15-16, 2008. Quilt demonstrations and workshops were also part of the program. The workshops demonstrated all the steps involved in making a quilt from pattern designing to the final stitching of it. The Hawaiian Quilt Corner was a huge success.
As previously mentioned, all the quilts on display were made by the Serrao Family and their disciples. The quilts not only represented Hawaii but came from places such as Niigata and Tokyo in Japan, and Canada. Most of the quilts were quite large, the smaller ones were over one meter in width. Each stitching was done beautifully and delicately so that even from afar the quilts looked magnificent and elegant.
Hawaiian quilting usually follows traditional designs that are popular from the past. However, many of those displayed at the Hawaiian Quilt Corner at the Honolulu Festival showed originality. The flowers that were used for the patterns may have been the same types of flowers used in traditional quilting but each quilter was able to show his or her originality in the design of the pattern and its layout. The originality was remarkable and quite a sight.
As you gazed at each piece of work, its depth and intricacy, you could understand why Hawaiian quilting has become a leading representative of Hawaiian art and culture. Were you aware that each quilt has a story to tell and that each quilt has some history related to its creation? We were very fortunate to have many of the original quilters available at the Hawaii Convention Center to talk to the attendees. They were able to tell their own story of what their quilts represented. The attendees were able to learn that there was more to each quilt than it just being a piece of stitched cloth, that there was a deep personal connection between each quilter and their quilt. This idea was something new to many of us. This Honolulu Festival experience was very special. We were able to experience the authenticity of Hawaiian quilts.
 
Gordon Chun and his original free-hand taro design quilt.
|
Quilt design using Hawaii’s royal colors, red and yellow. |
Hawaiian Quilt Workshop
Those who attended the quilt workshops at the Hawaii Convention Center were of varied skill levels, many were first timers to this craft. There were also those who were at the instructor’s level. It is common for John Serrao’s long time pupils as well as his instructors to attend his workshops in order to learn more about the craft. It is a very special opportunity to be instructed by the master himself, one that cannot be missed.
When working on the original pattern that you wish to begin with, you must first start by choosing your flower or plant pattern from a picture book. Once you have determined your pattern then you must draw and create your own design from it.
This step is done by tracing the pattern that you have selected to a piece of folded paper a section at a time. This is a very tedious and time consuming task for you must expand and perfect the patterns by reflecting it on a mirror and making sure that the overall design is what you had envisioned it to be. Trace and erase, trace and erase, use your mirror and refine the design until you are completely satisfied with the results of your work. And all through this process, John Serrao, our instructor, is carefully watching and correcting when necessary. Each of his personal instructions is very important.
Our instructor answers each question so that it is easy to comprehend. |
Expanding the original image from the picture book. |
Checking the layout by reflecting the design on a mirror. |
It is common to use ready made Hawaiian quilt kits in regular workshops. The workshop that we were able to experience at the Honolulu Festival was special for it began by selecting your own pattern and then cutting the material based on the pattern you designed. Cutting the material with the scissors looked very difficult. But with all its difficulty each quilter seemed to enjoy sewing the delicate stitches with a special feeling in their heart.
John’s daughter Cissy who is also an instructor. |
Pinning the pattern to the material before cutting.
|
Carefully cutting the outer side of the line so as not to make a mistake. |
Poakalani & Co.
Instructor John Serrao
Instructor John Serrao is from a Hawaiian family tracing its lineage back to royal ancestry. Having formerly conducted workshops at the Royal Hawaiian Center, he is currently teaching the art of Hawaiian quilting at the Iolani Palace.
The Serrao Family has preserved many traditional quilt patterns. John has developed new and original designs by studying the old patterns. John values the history of each pattern and is still able to create something new.
John is thrilled to be able to preserve the traditional art form of Hawaiian quilting and to share this authentic craft with the rest of the world. His goal is to spread this art form to as many people that wish to learn. He has been frequenting Japan and participating at the annual Tokyo International Quilt Exhibition as well as on Japanese television programs. John Serrao is a very easy going and gentle person. He is very personable and seems to attract crowds wherever he goes. The Honolulu Festival Foundation looks forward to having John and Poakalani & Co. participate in our special event marking our 15th anniversary in 2009.
Poakalani & Co.
Website： http://www.poakalani.com
