Photo courtesy of Albert K.Y. Chang
The Hawaiian Quilt Festival is being held
May 30-31 at the Blaisdell Center.
Looking for a special family to care for the heirloom quilt that grandma made? The Hawaiian Quilt Research Project will find a family and use the money raised to continue their research of heirloom quilts made before the 1960s. Wanted: Loving
family for quilt"Tutu's Trunk is a new thing we've done because of the calls we've received from people wanting to donate a quilt to a family that will appreciate and cherish it," said Verna Kuyper, director of the Hawaiian Quilt Festival being held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 30 and 31 at Blaisdell Center. People can purchase quilted items, which range from clothing to blankets, and donors can receive a tax deduction based on the sale price, Kuyper said. Items can be donated by calling Becky Kendro at 254-5568 or 536-7702, ext. 2234.
Also at the festival, quilt historians, textile specialists and a photographer will be available to register Hawaiian quilts made prior to 1960. Owners will receive a copy of the quilt's documentation papers and be able to participate in the project's upcoming "Quilt Day" on July 12. Owners should bring information about the quilt, including photographs, family genealogy and newspaper articles. For more information, call Laurie Woodard at 988-2082.
Other highlights include a display of 100 quilts; quilting demonstrations; book-signing by Jim Rumford, author of "When Silver Needles Swam: The Story of Tutu's Quilt;" pattern-tracing; and a mini-video area where the 13-part "Hawaiian Quilting" series can be viewed. Attendees can also talk story, ask questions or quilt with several quilters including "Auntie Debbie" Kakalia, a leader in the Hawaiian quilting community.
For people wanting to learn how to quilt, 10 workshops will be available at $35 each. One of the workshops, titled "Redwork Embroidery Quilts," teaches a unique style of quilting that was popular in the early part of this century. Other workshops available include "Miniature Hawaiian Quilting," "Hawaii Quilt Reverse Applique" and "Hawaiian Quilt Inspired Wearable Art." Workshops are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Friday to May 31. Each class is limited in size so register by calling Harriet Yamaguchi at 239-7046.
Volunteers are also needed to help with the Hawaiian Quilt Festival. To volunteer, call Sherilyn Lee at 523-9422.
Admission to the festival is $5. For more information, call 737-3281.
In a separate event, Mission Houses Museum is hosting "Na Kapa 'Apana Hawai'i I Humulau 'Ia," a quilt exhibit being held May 27 through July 4. Admission for the quilt exhibit only is $4. For more information, call 531-0481.
Michelle Ramos, Special to the Star-Bulletin
