Keri Designs by Keri Duke

Keri Duke's history and tradition of Hawaiian Quilting

American missionaries brought many things to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1800's, not the least of which were the linens, fabrics, needles, thread and other sewing implements with which Hawaiian women were taught to sew. There are many theories of how Hawaiian Quilting started. One is that the art of Hawaiian appliqué originated with a woman who laid her sheets on the grass to dry them in the sun. When she came back to collect her laundry, a nearby tree cast its leafy shadows upon the sheets. Using the snowflake paper cutting technique she had learned from the missionaries, she folded her sheet into eighths, drew on the design and cut out the pattern. It was then appliquéd onto another sheet and quilted in the echo style, mimicking the waves lapping on the shores of the islands. Another theory is that Hawaiian quilting was developed from Baltimore Album style of quilting that missionaries brought with them from New England. It is still not known exactly how the traditional appliquéd Hawaiian quilt evolved.

Over the years, traditional Hawaiian quilt patterns have evolved to include many things that represent the islands: leaves, fruits, trees, flowers, plants and sometimes animals and fish. However, many traditional Hawaiian quilt designers do not incorporate animals, people or fish in their patterns, considering it strictly kapu or forbidden. Traditional designs are made with two solid color fabrics and quilted with white or off-white thread. By combining the Traditional Hawaiian Quilting style and the Baltimore Album Quilting Style, I have tried to take Hawaiian Quilting to a new level with these designs. My designs fit well within the style recently labelled Contemporary Hawaiian Quilting .
Keri Duke