Hawaiian quilts are one of Hawaiian cultures peculiar to the beautiful coloration and the symmetrical design.
Flowers, woods, and ocean lives in Hawaii are used as the symmetrical motif
that made by folding one cloth in eight and by cutting like a paper cutout.

Hawaiian quilts have originated as a patchwork quilt given by the wives of English missionaries in 1820s.

It was not necessary to use quilts for moisture retention because of the weather in Hawaii,
the own culture of quilts was developed for decoration.
Hawaiian had traditionally believed that spirits inhabit flowers or woods.
They felt deeply the divine power or the consideration for their family by sewing the motif of flowers or woods on a quilt.

Hawaiian quilts need great effort to sew singly, but it is inhabited mana (soul) if it was done so much.
It is also familiar as a gift for the precious one.
I would like to suggest you to make a Hawaiian quilt with your respect for the great nature in Hawaii
or with the consideration to your dearly beloved. I will introduce the design for beginners.

7 Types of Good Design for a Hawaiian Quilt Beginner

Make a Pretty Quilt of Star-Shaped Plumerias

Plumeria is one of the popular flowers used for lei in Hawaii.
The shape of the pretty flower that has 5 petals is very popular as a motif of Hawaiian quilts.
Plumerias are known as the flower for God and as a charm against evil.
A pink or yellow plumeria that shapes a star is also known for its courtly and graceful aroma.
Make a quilt of plumerias loved in Hawaii as the design of quilt.

Sewing a quilt that has the design of beautiful plumerias with your consideration will be surely enjoyable.

Make a Quilt of Bright Hibiscuses in South Countries

I guess that you would probably remember hibiscuses as Hawaiian flowers up to plumerias.

Hibiscuses exude an image of the red color, but still have the orange, yellow, and white.
The state flower of Hawaii, “Hibiscus brackenridgei”, has the yellow color.
Hibiscuses are called “aloalo” in Hawaiian and mean the flower for God.

Hibiscuses are mainly used as the motif of Hawaiian quilts.
Sewing the shape of gorgeous Hibiscuses on a quilt will beautify your mind.

Make a Quilt of Monstera leaves Bringing Happiness

The design of monstera leaves is also the popular motif of Hawaiian quilts.
Monstera leaves are big and are peculiar to the large cut.
Some monsteras have a number of holes at the center.

It created the boom as a house plant in the 1950s and the 1970s.
Monstera leaves are said that “those will bring happiness like a water flow”
because those excrete a drop of water from the edge of the leaves.

Monstera leaves for the motif of Hawaiian quilts are the type of “deliciosa”
having the large size and the symmetrical leaves.
Sewing the motif of monstera leaves on a quilt might bring the great happiness.

Make a Quilt of Heart-Shaped Anthuriums

Anthuriums may let you image south countries, but have originated in South America or the West Indies.

Those were first planted in Oahu, Hawaii in 1889.
Anthuriums are most exported from Hawaii in the world today and are one of representatives of Hawaii.
Accurately, the heart-shaped part is named as “a bract”.

It is alias called a love flower because of its heart-shaped bract and is known for the flower that means affection.

The design of anthuriums is famous as the easy design for beginners to make in Hawaiian quilts.
It will be excellent to express your affection by using a motif of anthuriums.

Make a Quilt of Ulu (Breadfruit) Hoping Prosperity

Ulu means a breadfruit, belongs to moraceae, and is saw frequently in Hawaii.

Ulu has a highly big berry, leaves, and tremendous vitality.
The berry is slightly larger than a melon and is prized as not only food but also heating oil and dye.
Ulu is the auspicial plant indicating prosperity or growth for the Hawaiian.

If you select a motif of Ulu as the first Hawaiian quilt,
it is believed that it makes you have been making wonderful quilts.
Furthermore, there is the custom of giving a Ulu-designed quilt for a baby when someone has a baby boy.

Make a Quilt of Pineapples Denoting Hospitality

Pineapples are one of the special products of Hawaii.

Pineapples are planted across Hawaii and are much Hawaiian-friendly.
The plants with many berries mean prosperity and fruition, and are often used as a motif of complimentary quilts.

In addition, pineapples are popular as a motif of Hawaiian quilts because those also mean “hospitality”.
Hospitality means warm accommodation.
Make a quilt with your wish or affection using the lovely and fine design of pineapples.

Make a Quilt of Honu (Sea Turtle) Protecting the Sea

Honu (sea turtle) is a holy creature and is identified as the protectorate god of the sea in Hawaii.

Honu is regarded as the aumakua personified that is a messenger of God
and as a Hawaiian ancestor or the guardian God.
The aumakua is allegedly able to transform into not only a natural creature but also a plant and a mineral,
and keeps families or children safe.

It is also appreciated as an amulet for sea accidents
because honu is perceived to make sharks keep out in the same marine area,
in spite of sharks are the natural enemy of sea turtles.
Honu is very popular as a motif of Hawaiian quilts and is usually given for surfers.

How did like the various and typical motifs of Hawaiian quilts?
Each of that individually has the consideration and wishes.
These tell us the fact that the Hawaiian respect flowers, woods, and sea creatures
in the abundant and natural environment of Hawaii, thinking a great deal of their gratitude.

Here is a beautiful legend of Hawaiian quilts.
The legend is that Hawaiian quilts come into a scene
that the shadow of lehuas beautifully reflected in the sheet when someone hanged up a white sheet to dry.
Hawaiian quilts may seem to transfer the shadow of the plant.

I would like to suggest you to make a Hawaiian quilt with aloha (love) or mana (soul).

Summary

7 Types of Good Design for a Hawaiian Quilt Beginner

・Make a Pretty Quilt of Star-Shaped Plumerias
・Make a Quilt of Bright Hibiscuses in South Countries
・Make a Quilt of Monstera leaves Bringing Happiness
・Make a Quilt of Heart-Shaped Anthuriums
・Make a Quilt of Ulu (Breadfruit) Hoping Prosperity
・Make a Quilt of Pineapples Denoting Hospitality
・Make a Quilt of Honu (Sea Turtle) Protecting the Sea