This website is dedicated to all those who admire and especially quilt "Hawaiian"
Poakalani Teachers Certification
We have a wonderful group of quilters who have been part of our quilting family for many years. While some enjoy the weekly classes of visiting friends, sharing stories and quilting, others have an inner desire and passion to not only quilt Hawaiian but teach the art in their district and homeland. To make the transition from student to instructor we certify all our instructors if and only if they complete the following criteria.
1. You must be a current student of Poakalani's weekly quilting classes. Exceptions are made for our international students.
2. You must complete a cushion pattern under our supervision
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3. You must complete a wallhanging quilt 45" x 45" or 45" x 60" under our supervision. Stitches must be 10-12 stitches per inch and no marking pencils are allowed to be used on the quilts.
4. You must attend a Poakalani Hawaiian Quilt Design Workshop. We DO NOT GIVE CERTIFICATES for attending the design workshop.
5. You must cut, baste, applique and complete a full size Hawaiian quilt. 90" x 90" or larger. Again no tracing pencils are allowed to be used on the quilt and the stitches must be 10-12 stitches per inch.
6. You must assist in teaching a Poakalani Hawaiian quilting class. Length of time depends on the student's progress.
7. The classes must be completed in Hawaii. We believe to fully understand the tradition and cultural aspect of Hawaiian quilting you must learn it in Hawaii.
Only after you've completed the following criteria you may be able to receive your "Teacher's Certification" but it is not a guarantee. There is no cost to receive a Poakalani Hawaiian Quilting Teachers Certificate except for the weekly cost of the classes and the cost of the design workship.
BUT in the old tradition of Hawaii of passing on knowledge from instructor to student, the Teachers Certificate is a gift to the student who has shown an a) Excellence in quilting, b) sensitivity and knowledge to the culture of Hawaii & Hawaiian quilting, c) humility to their fellow students and instructors, d) love for the "Art of Hawaiian Quilting" but most of all you do not choose us... we choose you to become a Poakalani instructor. It cannot be bought it is a precious gift for only a special few.
I remember when my mother was teaching quilting classes and many Hawaiian practitioners of Hawaii's arts would scold her for teaching to much to her students. They always told her don't teach everything or we'll lose our culture. I"m so happy that she didn't listen and that she came from a family that was more open and sharing of our Hawaiian(ess) because the people today who are passing on the art of Hawaiian quilting are not just the Hawaiians but the Japanese, Haoles, Europeans and artists from many other countries. You don't have to be Hawaiian to teach Hawaiian Quilting in fact the technique of quilting was taught by the missionary women that came to the islands in the 1820's. The Hawaiians learned the techniques than adapted it to their own style and then made it part of their culture. I'm proud that my parents have taught so many people who went back home to teach it to their friends. Through their help Hawaiian Quilting is known and recognized worldwide.
The Teachers Certification became part of our class because some countries require verification or a license that an individual is indeed knowledgeable and trained in the business they are in. So yes we do certify students so they can go home and teach in their country. It's a certification we only give to a few.
