In her new book
Creating Hawaiian-Inspired Quilts, Judith Sandstrom has adapted traditional, large scale, symmetrical Hawaiian appliqué patterns to paper-cut designs manageable for quilters of all skill levels.
The motifs are 'pure American', including butterflies, tulips, daffodils and bluebirds, Christmas Cactus, and Christmas themes.
She offers a new technique for pattern transfer with step-by-step photographs. Needed supplies and basic directions for making the quilts are included.
Innovations include incorporating more than one color in the appliqué and using several different design elements to make the appliqué. Patterns make wall to twin bed sized quilts. Several of the bed size patterns include pieced blocks.
Sandstrom begins with an overview of traditional quilt making in Hawaii and photographs of the contemporary Hawaiian quilts that are her inspiration.
The 26 patterns included in the book are:
- Hawaiian Seas four patterns: scallop shell and starfish; Angel Fish and coral; crab and Stingray; turtle and jellyfish
- Hawaiian Christmas with four blocks including bell and angel; snowman and wreath; candelabra, cane and star; tree gingerbread man, and Holly leaf
- Christmas Cactus wall hanging
- Hibiscus and Tulip Bouquet 57" x 57" quilt
- May Maze wall hanging
- Butterfly Trails wall quilt
- Four Color Tulips 43" x 43"
- Tahitian Dream twin/full size
- Exotic Purple Lily twin size
- Amazing Amaryllis twin size
- Daffodils and Bluebirds twin size
I made a
Hawaiian sampler quilt in my early days of quiltmaking.
I decided to try Sandstrom's method and chose the Christmas angle and bell block. My block is hand appliquéd but Sandstrom notes that one can also machine appliqué. The patterns can also be used with fusible appliqué.
Hand appliqué is traditional and a favorite method of mine.
(Note: The pattern was altered from the original as I forgot to cut out a section in the bell.)
I folded the background fabric as suggested and traced the pattern on the appliqué fabric according to her method.
I used spray starch on the appliquéd red fabric to give it more weight and make it easier to handle.
Using small scissors with a sharp point I cut the fabric on the traced lines.
I situated the appliqué on the fold lines on the background fabric. Small appliqué pins held it down as I basted the appliqué to the fabric, then the pins were removed.
Using thread to match the appliqué piece I needle-turned the fabric, making small clips at inside curves. It took me two evenings, about four hours, to complete.
I had trouble with the very narrow part of the bell clapper. So I would warn to be sure not to skimp when cutting that part; it can always be trimmed later. And be sure not to take too deep a turn when sewing down one side or you will find there is not enough seam allowance on the other side!
The patterns are very original and cute. I wonder if I can make just one?
I thank Schiffer Publications for a free book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Creating Hawaiian-Inspired Quilts
by Judith Sandstrom
Schiffer Publications
ISBN: 9780764348587
$16.99 soft cover
80 pages; 83 color images
See contemporary Hawaiian quilts at
Quilt Inspiration
