HAWAIIAN QUILTING With
Poakalani & Co.
                                               by Cissy Serrao

Traditions & Superstitions of Hawaiian Quilting

Quilts have always been part of my upbringing. Both my parents' families were quilters. Every place we went and every home we visited someone was always working on a quilt and because of this upbringing I've learned many traditions about Hawaiian quilts. So I would like to share with you some of those traditions.

Never Sit on a Hawaiian Quilt.

Did you know that you never sit on a quilt? When the quilts were
displayed on the beds they were admired, talked about and even
sofly touched but you never ever sat on the quilt. If you were tired
you carefully lifted up the edge of the quilt so you could sit or you
folded the quilt before you laid down. The quilt was treated with
the upmost respect and it was not until I finished my first quilt that
I understood why.

Many hours were spent making a quilt and in Hawaii most quilts
were made by only one person. It was believed that the quilt
embodied that person's spirit and that in showing respect for the
quilt it also showed respect for the person.

Quilts were not labeled only by the name of the design on the quilt
but also the person who made it. I can remember going to a
family's home and they would show us their quilts and say "Oh
that's Aunty Lei's Plumeria Quilt" or "that's Cousin Nani's Kahili
Quilt". The person's name was always associated with the quilt.

After finishing my own quilt after many many many long hours
my first reaction in displaying the quilt was, "If anyone sits on the
quilt I will personally strangle them." How's that for keeping the
tradition running in my family?

I also remember going to family gatherings and seeing all the quilts
elegantly displayed on the beds in every room and the wall
hangings graciously hung throughout the home. Actually the quilts
always added a special flavor to the gathering.

It was not until I was older that I finally asked my mom why the
quilts were always part of the family parties. She explained to me
that all the quilts we owned were made by someone special, a
family member or friend and that the quilts were given with love.
She said during the family gatherings the quilts are displayed so
that when people look at the quilt they not only admire the quilt
but they always remember the person who made it. I was told that
pictures are not the only form of remembrance but so are the
quilts and that one day when I'm long gone from this world and
my quilt is displayed in the home I too will be remembered.



Some of the other traditions/superstitions that I have heard over the years are:

After a quilt is completed the quilter will sleep with the quilt
for one night and then it is given to that special person whom
it was made for.

When a person is ill it is said that if they sleep with a quilt all
the love from that quilt will help heal them.

Never make human figures on a quilt. It is believed that the
figures will walk and visit you at night.

Never take a quilt pattern and change its design to make it
your own. It was considered stealing. Each quilt design was
made special for a particular person and in stealing it you
have stolen part of their spirit.