I recently visited the Discount Fabric Warehouse on Kauai, in Lihue, Hawaii. Had hoped to visit a couple quilt shops in the area, but they were further away than they looked on the map, and besides....we got lost. But we were not disappointed!
This colorful quilt greeted us at the front door. I knew immediately this was gonna to be good. Although we just wandered in without an appointment, staff were friendly and accommodating - even treating me to a personal "trunk show" and allowing pictures of everything.
I presume this piece was done to illustrate paper piecing techniques. Very colorful. One thing I can say about Hawaii - you won't see any Civil War Era fabrics. Lots of bold, beautiful hues. In fact, I even saw tropical themed fleece. Not one woodsy snow scene to be found.
They have a nice selection of Asian prints at the Kauai store. There are stores in Hilo, Kona and Maui too.
I'd have been happy to take home a few bolts of batik fabric, but I don't think the TSA would have appreciated my extra luggage. Good thing I can order more (and you can too) at:
I've never been a big fan of orange, but isn't it striking against the teal in this quilt? Stunning.
I like to alternate simpler projects with more detailed projects. This is a great beginner quilt project and gives life and movement to a monochromatic quilt. Great fabric selection!
I know this pattern as Sawtooth, but the quilt is titled "Buzz Saw." All of the quilts pictured here were done by the same Erika Hessheimer.
Ms. Hessheimer has a knack for selecting just the right backing fabric, and makes her own labels. What a nice finishing touch. And look at that perfect binding.
They sell a lot of embroidery programs, and the following three pieces show some of the things you can do with them. Flowers...
texts of various styles and sizes,
...and a lot of other fun stuff!
This modified sampler quilt in island colors is bright and cheerful.
This example demonstrates how one design can be re-sized for different applications.
Batik traveling stars with an Asian print backing.
This quilt pattern gives the appearance of being interwoven. I like how the color gradient and size of the pattern goes from smaller and lighter to darker and larger. And what a lovely backing.
And the coup de gras - my personal favorite - a Hawaiian print Whack & Stack, with a brilliantly colored pieced border.
Here are my favorite stars - the fire star...
...and the flower star that resembles a beautiful lei.
When I asked what products or patterns could I find there - that would NOT be available on the mainland, I learned the blue print in the Whack & Stack was one made for and sold only in Hawaii. Of course, I had to have some! So I bought a couple of yards in red.
Eye candy! I'll have to think a long time about what to do with it before cutting. Below is my other purchase, not specific to Hawaii, but I've been into roosters lately, and after seeing them all over the island of Kauai, this kit seemed fitting.
Here's the real McCoy. This picture was snapped a block or two from the fabric store. LOL
Other products of interest were Hawaiian pillow kits, suitable for machine embroidery (most kits are for hand embroidery only) and an excellent selection of blender fabrics. I must thank the kind folks at Discount Fabric Warehouse for their assistance and hospitality.
Thanks too, to my ever-patient hubby who not only accompanies me to quilt shops, but takes the time to look them up and plan them into our trips. He's a keeper! :)
