Kaua‘i Quilt Show 2023

By Léo Azambuja

Left to right, artist and Kaua‘i Quilt Show Chair Toni Wass, artist Tammy Quinn, and artist and Co-Chair Lea Ingram. Photo by Léo Azambuja

When life gives them scraps, they make quilts — elaborate works of art made with pieces and layers of fabric and padding. This February, dozens of quilt-makers on the island will be showing their creativity at the Kaua‘i Quilt Show 2023 in Līhu‘e.

“Quilts are works of love, they keep us warm and bring us comfort. It takes many hours of commitment, skill and labor, depending on the complexity of the pattern, to make a quilt,” said Lea Ingram, a seasoned quilter who is co-chairing the event along with quilter Toni Wass.

The Kaua‘i Quilt Show 2023 opens Friday, Feb. 10 at Kaua‘i Society of Arts at Kukui Grove Center, with a “Meet the Quilter’s Reception” from 5 to 7 p.m.

“Come to the Kaua‘i Quilt Show and immerse yourself in a wonderfully diverse and colorful exhibition,” Ingram said. “The show is open to all with free admission, and is a great opportunity to see some of the amazing talent that is here on our island of Kaua‘i.”

The show will run daily until Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you miss the opening reception, you may still meet some of the quilters, as each one of them will be doing a couple shifts at the KSA gallery during the show’s duration.

Some of the quilts and crafts available at the Kaua‘i Quilt Show are seen here. Photo by Léo Azambuja

“Many of the quilts will be for sale. The prices range depending on the complexity and size of the quilt and range anywhere from $100 to $2,000,” said Ingram, adding there will be at least 50 “donation” quilts for sale. “A donation quilt is a quilt that has been made to donate by members of either the Nene Quilters or the Kaua‘i Quilt Guild.”

When these quilts are sold, 100 percent of the proceeds go to a Kaua‘i nonprofit of the buyer’s choice. There are about 13 nonprofits for the buyer to choose from, according to Ingram.

“Last year we raised over $8,000 that was given to 12 nonprofit organizations on the island (including Kaua‘i Hospice, Kaua‘i Humane Society, Kaua‘i Foodbank, Kumu’s Cupboard). The quilters of Kaua‘i believe in giving back to our island community and the Kaua‘i Quilt Show is a great opportunity for us to share our passion and at the same time contribute to those in need,” she said.

The quilters will also have a “Quilt Boutique” in a pop-up store at the mall. The store will sell handmade items donated by quilters from all over Kaua‘i.

“There will be many different items such as handbags, pouches, table runners, mug rugs, microwave bowl holders, etc. All made by our Kaua‘i quilters,” said Ingram, adding that 100 percent of the proceeds will go to next year’s Kaua‘i Quilt Show, and to buy fabric and supplies for next year’s donation quilts.

Kaua‘i Quilt Show 2023 Chair Toni Wass. Photo by Léo Azambuja

What defines a quilt is that it has three layers, according to Ingram. The top is a piece of fabric that has been stitched together, but it can also be a whole cloth with designs stitched to it or painted on it. The backing is often a whole piece of fabric, although it can also be made of pieces of fabric stitched together, just like the top. In between these two layers, there is padding, also called batting or wadding, for warmth and puffiness. The layers are kept in place by lines of stitching.

There are infinite ways of crafting a quilt; it all depends on the quilter’s skills, creativity and patience, lots of patience.

“Each quilt becomes unique since even when using a pattern, the fabric choices and placement are different depending on the maker. Also, the stitching or quilting that holds the quilt together changes the look and feel. That stitching can be done by hand or by machine with a variety of techniques,” Ingram said.

A quilt is a versatile piece that checks both form and function — it may serve a decorative purpose, while it may also be used as a blanket or throw blanket.

“Quilts can be hung on the wall as art, or used to wrap up on a sofa or on a bed. Baby quilts are often put on the floor so the baby can stretch out and roll around safely on a clean surface without falling off of anything,” Ingram said.

A quilter for more than 25 years, Ingram learned to sew at a very early age, as her mother was a professional seamstress. So, to her, she said, quilting was a “natural segue.”

There will be many hearts, just in time for Valentines’ Day, at the Kaua‘i Quilt Show. Photo by Léo Azambuja

“I usually don’t follow a pattern but rather create my own design. The color and textures of the various fabrics are stimulating, and the possibilities are endless. For me, quilting is a great outlet for my artistic creativity,” Ingram said.

In recent years, she said, there has been a resurgence of popularity in quilt-making around the world, with many quilt shows popping in large and small venues in several countries each year. On Kaua‘i alone, there are at least 100 quilters who belong to some kind of quilting group, and then there are many others who quilt on their own.

The show is expected to attract between 35 and 40 quilters, with a wide range of experience.

“We have quilters from all walks of life from the young to the ‘more mature.’  One of the best things about quilters is their open willingness to share their knowledge, skills, love and enthusiasm for quilting,” Ingram said.

When the first religious missionaries arrived in Hawai‘i in March 1820, they brought quilts with them. Over the next few decades, traditional Hawaiian quilts evolved into their own unique style, with elaborate local flora and pride. These quilts were often made with two contrasting colors; one for the background and another for the applique cut from a single piece of fabric. The applique, quite often a symmetrical design inspired by nature, was stitched to the background fabric.

“There aren’t many traditional Hawaiian quilters these days, as it is a labor-intensive undertaking; all stitching done by hand which can take years to finish,” Ingram said. “However, the art of quilting has evolved over the years and the tropical influence is apparent in our local quilts. We use vibrant colors and exotic themes. Quilt design is a wonderful way to channel artistic creativity.”

Local quilters love to use vibrant colors, according to quilter Lea Ingram. Photo by Léo Azambuja

Ingram said quilts are for everyone and anyone; they are universally cherished by all.

“We have people who buy quilts for gifts for their children, grandchildren, mothers, fathers. A quilt is a gift — even if it is for yourself — that speaks of caring and comfort. Wrap yourself up in a quilt and you can feel the love it was made with,” Ingram said.

The Kaua‘i Quilt Show 2023 is sponsored by Discount Fabric Warehouse, Kapaia Stitchery and Vicky’s Fabrics. They donated the prizes for the Viewer’s Choice Award.

For those interested in quilting, there are two main groups of quilters on Kaua‘i. The Nene Quilters on the North Shore and the Kaua‘i Quilt Guild in Līhu‘e; and both hold monthly meetings. There will be info at the Kaua‘i Quilt Show on how to join either group. Additionally, Ingram can be contacted at leaingram.artist@gmail.com for more information. Vicky’s Fabrics and Discount Fabric Warehouse offer quilting classes. Also, there are many small informal groups around the island who get together to quilt.

“The quilting community here on the island is widespread and welcoming. I have made many friendships through quilting,” Ingram said.