History of Hawaiian Quilts

The introduction to sewing and quilt making came to Hawaiians from the wives of American missionaries in 1820. Patchwork quilts were made in the missionary boarding schools, where girls were taught to sew. Even though the missionaries are credited with teaching new concepts and techniques in quilt making, the development of the Hawaiian appliquéd quilts lies with the Hawaiian women. Many of the designs and methods they used are found only in Hawaii. Hawaiian quilt making became a form of self-expression during nineteenth-century westernization. Every stitch had a meaning and every part of the design a purpose.

Quilting frames in Hawaii were set close to the ground so quilters could sit on their handwoven lauhala mats. A wide variety of fill material for the quilts was used in Hawaii, including soft fibers from tree fern, cotton, wool, and animal hair. As three layers were stitched together. The quilters started at the quilt’s center and worked toward the edges.

Quilts found on the mainland that are the most similar to Hawaiian quilts are appliquéd in the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. Their quilts often consist of a central medallion appliqué that resembles the Hawaiian technique and repeats the same floral design in four large blocks. The Hawaiian women designed their quilts based on floral surroundings, legends, and innermost feelings of love. Every quilt had a purpose, and no two quilts were alike.