Almost seven years ago now, I walked into a quilting store on Hawaii, asked a ton of questions, purchased some fabric and thread, and declared that I was making a quilt for my baby, who was due in a matter of months! The kind lady who was helping me told me a story, the Hawaiians like to do that, and it went something like this; "A woman once bought some lovely fabric and set out to make a quilt for her unborn babe. Fifty, yes fifty, years later she gave it to her son for his birthday!" But, she ended by saying, "I am sure you will finish yours a bit quicker than that, and if not, your child will love it whenever it is done!"
So, here my boy is, six years old, wearing a wetsuit and riding a boogie board. Here I am, still quiliting on the beach! This quilt was born on the beach. I spent many hot, pregnant, afternoons in the shade of the Kiawe trees, listening to the soft sound of the waves lapping at the shore, as I quilted in anticipation of my first born baby's arrival. I quilted for hours and hours...each stitch with careful intention and so much love for a child I had not yet held in my arms. Then Gavin was born, and though we spent many peaceful hours on the couch together in those first months, I never became a proficient hand-quilter-while-nursing kinda lady, oh I tried alright, but I didn't make much progress.
Long story short, as each holiday came and went it (the quilts progress) became a bit of a joke around here, and sometimes we had to recall the story of the sweet mama who gave the baby quilt to her son on his 50th! But, my friends, I did it! I finished the quilt, every stitch by hand at 1/2" intervals the entire quilt over, I finished it! I handed it over with tears in my eyes and a big smile on my face. There was very little fuss and fanfare about this gifting but we both knew it was a big moment indeed!
The Honu and wave design are a simple reminder of Gavin's Birth place as is the contour stitch pattern used in traditional Hawaiian quilts. I have always admired the stunning island quilts and now have a really deep respect for the level of dedication it takes to finish these works of art. It is no wonder the Hawaiians like to "talk story" and quilt the day away, that is what it takes, many days quilted away.
Gavin seems genuinely pleased to have the quilt in his possession, opposed to my project bag. He has been around long enough now to have some experience with my crafting, and some with his own, and I do think that he truly appreciates all the love that has gone into the making. Perhaps it is just as well that it took 6+ years to finish!
