Kama Aina is Hawaiian for native born, which I happen to be. I designed this quilt in 2012. Sometimes things take a little longer. The center section of the quilt is about “old” Hawaiian people. With that section, the center panel is based on petroglyphs. I refer to the four surrounding panels by their “direction” from the center panel. This technique is called “crazy quilting”. Each square is 8″ x 8″.
This quilt is a story woven together of three components: my love of crazy quilting, my love affair with Hawaii, and the death of my little sister/friend.
I have had a love affair with crazy quilting (CQ) for maybe 40 years. After taking an online class with Sharon Boggon ten years ago, I designed a big CQ bed quilt, but decided I only had enough confidence to make CQ Christmas stockings of which I have made many.
While my little sister/friend was fighting cancer I could do nothing creative. After her death, I rediscovered my mojo and decided to make that quilt. I found myself able to mourn by channeling my grief into working on something else I loved.
Central to the quilt are the 5 squares in the center portraying both black and brown lava which form the underpinnings of both the Islands and the native Hawaiian culture. The center block shows a Polynesian boat used to discover the Islands as well as petroglyphs giving an early insight into their culture. Each of the four squares surrounding the center block features pieces of tapa (mulberry bark cloth) while the seam treatments echo their geometric designs. Indigenous flora and fauna are portrayed in the four quadrants as are a variety of greens referencing the tropical climate. A plumeria (frangipani) lei surrounds the interior; a symbol of the native culture, current custom usage for many and serves as an introduction to the home of my heart.
By featuring a Hawaiian theme I was able to use mementos from my childhood as well as items made by my father, now deceased, while living there. This quilt became part of my ongoing series exploring Hawaii.
PERSONAL CHALLENGE
Incorporate pieces of tapa(kapa) charms, items made by my father, render the 2 kinds of lava and incorporate many Island symbols
SIZE 3’ x 3’ octagon
TECHNIQUES
Crazy quilting with surface embroidery, incorporation of unusual materials
CREATED
Completed 2021
2023 Textile Art Group Exhibit Winds Café Yellow Springs
2025 Textile Art Group Exhibit Winds Café Yellow Springs
NFS
Below are larger pictures of the center sections of the quilt and are really the heart of it, along with details about each section.
This is the center panel. It’s based on petroglyphs. There are 3 “types”. The sail/boat close to the center, the man charm upper right and the turtles-honu- lower center.
This is the east panel. It’s based on tapa( kapa) the mulberry bark fiber Hawaiian textile. I’ve incorporated Hawaiian buttons, charms and coconut items made by my father from when we lived there.
The southern panel also is based on tapa( kapa). This time the tapa is more black and white. More buttons and coconut items from my Dad. The lowest point features a rock totem of piled stones( beads) with green beads to represent the ti leaf wrapped stone offerings.
Again based on the incorporated tape(kapa) this time the tapa is the usually seen brown tones. Stones have been added in addition to the usual button/charms/ coconut items.
This is the north panel featuring the black and white tapa. The color contrast makes the deigns much bolder than in the softer brown tones. The center panel features sequin stars with gold thread accents to represent the little dipper and especially the north star. It’s right above the center panel sail boat petroglyph since the early Polynesians used the north star to navigate the Pacific.
I basted all the panels together to see the effect and discovered by happenstance that several of the fabric aligned between the blocks. Serendipity!
