CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Terri Kamakana assembled quilt blocks that will be sent to the mainland to be stitched together. Finished quilts comprising of blocks contributed by quilters nationwide will be auctioned in a Fall fund raiser for the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Blanket of hope
Island "quilts for a cure"
will be auctioned to raise
funds to fight cancer
Every quilt tells a story. The intricately woven squares often reflect the lives of the people who create them.
Quilt squares trickling into Kuni Island Fabrics and other quilt boutiques over the past few weeks "really look local," according to owner Terri Kamakana. "They have koi, muumuus and leis."
The display of aloha will be sent to America Patchwork and Quilting magazine for a good cause. The magazine is collecting quilt blocks from across the nation to stitch together quilts for the Quilt for a Cure Quilt Block Challenge. Completed quilts will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Each square is as unique as the person who creates it. "My daughter did the breast cancer ribbon," said Kamakana. "I had three sister who had cancer, so I try to give back as much as I can."
The quilt pieces measure a uniform 10 1/2 inches square, and must use a pink-and-white color scheme echoing the pink ribbons that symbolize the breast cancer awareness campaign.
To make it easier for contributors, Kamakana put together kits that can be purchased for $5, with $3.50 from each sale going directly to the breast cancer foundation. Each kit contains a four pieces of fabric which can be used to create your own original design. The deadline to submit quilt blocks is April 1.
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Some of the patches shown in detail.
Those who wish to participate can also mail quilt blocks to: American Patchwork & Quilting, Quilt for the Cure Quilt Block Challenge, 1716 Locust St. GA 205, Des Moines, IA 50309
"One of the best parts: We don't need to put the quilt together. The fun part is doing the squares," said Kamakana.
Calico Cat in Kaimuki, and the Quilt Hut in Aiea are also participating in the drive. Sheila Connolly, owner of the Quilt Hut in Aiea, is selling kits for $5 and will donate 100 percent of the proceeds. "We've only got a few blocks back, but several kits have been sold," she said.
Each block includes a personal story. One person submitted a butterfly pattern that represented "going through the changes of life," said Connolly. "Mine has a floral tulip design," she said, in honor of an aunt who has ovarian cancer.
Marcy Thomas, of the Susan Komen Foundation, said the quilt blocks and the stories attached to them provide a visually interesting way to reach a general audience of people who have not given much thought to breast cancer.
"And, we found another way to distribute educational material," she added. "Some women may not visit the doctor, but they do go to their quilting bees."
Kuni Island Fabrics can be reached at 955-1280. The number for Quilt Hut is 486-6690. Calico Cat is at 1223 Koko Head Ave. Call 732-3998.
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