about — Kōlea Quilts

Skip to Content

“Creativity is my essence. Itʻs where my soul finds peace.”

Meet Elizabeth

Aloha and Welcome to my Happy Place!
First off I must confess that as a stitcher I am a rule breaker. As the eldest child of an immigrant family, a young adult serving dutifully in the Army, a mother raising a headstrong brood, or an elementary school teacher, I obediently toed the line. But when it comes to my sewing, I do what feels right to me. And what usually feels right is flying freehand and employing a hodgepodge of different stitching styles and techniques to create my original art quilts. Please donʻt count my stitches or measure my seams. Like I said, Iʻm not a rule follower!
Though Bronx born, Iʻve been Hawaiʻi rooted for almost 30 years. Most of my artistic inspiration comes from my spiritually fulfilling surroundings - the abundance of the ʻaina, the riches of the kai, and the simple beauty of kanaka life. My hope is that my hand-stitched art quilts will carry the aloha I feel for my home, into yours.
Follow along on Instagram: @koleaquilts

AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1st Place, City & County of Honolulu, Holiday Wreath Contest 2009 (Protea,Poinsettia, Phalaenopsis & Pine)

Finalist at the Chicago International Quilt Show 2010 (Ahuimanu Stream)

3rd Place, International Quilt Show; Dubai, UAE; 2012 (Dayclean on Sapelo Island)

Participant in FABRICations - a 3 Woman Art Show; Honolulu, HI 2012

Various other Challenge and Viewers Choice awards at Hawaii Quilt Guild annual shows between 2008-2012

STYLE & TECHNIQUE

All designs are my own, produced freehand, either from a series of personal photographs or observations. I donʻt follow patterns. My pieces incorporate applique, quilting, and embroidery techniques, and are completely hand-stitched by me. Sometimes youʻll notice weaving, crocheting and other forms of textile manipulation included as well. I donʻt tend to make traditional, block-style quilts (too many rules!) and I rarely use rulers or cut fabric precisely. Colors guide my fabric choices which in turn feed my imagination and guide my hands. My non-traditional approach to applique results in my art quilts mimicking stained glass panels.

Why “Kōlea”?

Naming my business “Kōlea Quilts” is a tribute to my youngest son who celebrated the arrival of our neighborhood kōleas every August. He became enthralled by them after learning that they flew NON-STOP from Alaska for 3-4 days to make their way to and from our home! Ever the careful observer, heʻd report to me when he saw one, or when he noticed them donning their black, white, and gold cloaks before returning north to nest. Kōleas were one of his favorite birds, so anytime I see one in the wild I think of him. To the right is his impressive kindergarten version of a kōlea in flight.