There are many arts and crafts that are special to Hawaii and that always evoke images of Hawaii. Hawaiian quilts are made using specific Hawaiian designs and techniques that are distinct in appearance and construction methods from other types of quilting. Leis are an enduring symbol of Hawaii and can be made easily in a variety of styles. Hawaii's abundant flowers are typically featured in the arts and crafts of the islands and can be replicated at your home, even if you do not live in Hawaii.
Hawaiian Quilts
Hawaiian quilts are distinctive in design and traditional construction methods. They are usually made from only two colors of fabric and feature large, one-piece symmetrical applique designs. The applique images are created using a method similar to paper snowflakes but incorporate traditional Hawaiian images like pineapples, hibiscus flowers, breadfruit and marine creatures. The quilting is usually echo or outline quilting, with lines of quilting stitches following the contours of the appliqued image. If you are new to Hawaiian quilting techniques, you could start with a small project like a pot holder or wall hanging. Instead of a whole applique piece, you could make square blocks with Hawaiian designs and piece them together to make a larger quilt top. The quilting part of making Hawaiian quilts can be easier than other types of quilting as the pattern does not need to be marked on the quilt top. You simply follow the outlines of the applique design.
Lei Making
Leis are a symbolic of Hawaii. Leis are garlands that can be made from flowers, feathers beads, shells, seeds or paper. To make your own lei, you need a long sewing needle and strong thread like fishing wire or dental floss. If you want to make a flower lei, you will need to collect at least 50 blooms, but you can also incorporate leaves and foliage. Flowers like plumeria and orchids are traditional but any medium-sized flowers will work. Piece each flower through the center one at a time and carefully push them to the end of the thread. Pieces of paper or thin card stock cut into flower shapes and silk flowers can be threaded into a lei in the same manner and will last a lot longer. For bead or other types of lei, the method is the same, just string them one at a time, and then tie the two ends of the thread together to make a large necklace-like garland.
Flowers for Your Hair
Another image that has come to symbolize Hawaii is a flower in the hair. Different flowers have different uses and significance in traditional Hawaiian culture. A Hawaiian flower hair ornament can be made at home using a variety of techniques. You could use colorful tissue or crepe paper to make a flower by cutting out several circular petal shapes from different colors, layering them and threading a bead through the middle. Alternatively, there are many ways to fold an origami flower. Fabric flowers can be made in a similar way. If you glue or sew a plain hair clip to the back, it becomes a pretty hair ornament.
Tags: other types, arts crafts, construction methods, flower hair, hair ornament