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?
Quilt Are Always Displayed On Beds During Family Gatherings
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.
When a person is ill it is said that if they sleep under a quilt all the love from that quilt will help comfort them Never make human figures on a quilt. It is believed that the figures will walk and visit you at night.
Many quilters have passed through our classes. Some are inspired
by the floral beauty of Hawaii, some the majestic scenery of the islands and others by the cultural history of the Hawaiian people. Many years ago one of our weekly quilters asked John to design a Hawaiian Quilt that depicted the Hawaiian Coat of Arms. John took the design from the Hawaii State Seal. When the quilter saw the design she told John that she didn't want the State Seal but the Old Version of the Hawaiian Coat of Arms that depicted the two guardings of King Kamehamea. John told her that he didn't make humans figures on quilts because it was believed that they walked at night. She was adamant and against this better judgment he designed the quilt with the two warriors. The quilter finished the quilt and eventually returned to the mainland. Many years after thequilt was completed Poakalani received a phone call from the quilter and sheexplained that her son was ill. Her sons evenings were the worst and he could barely sleep at night. Poakalani knowing the tradition of the Hawaiian quilt told the quilter to take the "Coat of Arms" quilt that she completed while in Hawaii and have her son sleep under it. Poakalani told her the quilt might be able to bring some comfort to him. Well several weeks passed and the quilter finally called back to tell Poakalani that her son was fine and finally sleeping the whole night through BUT he asked his mother who the two men with capes and spears standing in his room everynight. :-)
More traditions/superstitions that I have heard throughout the:
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.
.
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.
Traditions of Hawaiian Quilting
Quilts have always been part of my life. Both my parents were quilters as well as their families . So I'd like to share with you many of the Hawaiian quilting traditions that has been past on in my family.
Hawaiian Coat of Arms
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