Designs by Mary of Hawaii 
Machine Applique Turtles with unique shell-back designs,
Hawaiian Stained Glass Flowers, Southwest Patterns
Modern Prairie Style Revisited, Batik Fabric, & Laser-cut Kits

Thank you for stopping by

Designs by Mary of Hawaii was created several years ago due to various requests for unique Hawaiian-type, machine applique designs using the shape of the swimming sea turtles (Honu), with scenes reminiscent of the big island, that being the unique shell-backs created by using negative space and keeping the "positive" for a secondary design. I produce my turtle (Honu ~ the Hawaiian name) designs so that they are "uniquely tropical, with a Hawaiian flair".  Over time I added my ideas for tribal designs and modified petroglyphs.  I also created unique applique patterns from photographs; such as the Surfing Duo, Scenes of the Big Island, and a series of Modern Prairie Designs reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright also known as Craftsman style.  I was introduced to "stained glass" type designs by a dear friend and fellow quilt artist.  This newfound technique opened up a new series of Hawaiian Tropical Stained Glass Flower patterns, again based on photographs that I took around the islands.

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After 18 years of living on the big island, four years ago, 2019, my husband and I relocated to Southern California.  We are now living in the "high desert".  Since I am originally from Tucson Arizona, I consider myself a "desert rat", and I have been taking lots of cactus flower pictures and southwest scenes.  My next "stained glass" designs will be based on the beautiful Cactus flowers found blooming in Arizona and California as well as the amazing wildflowers. I also have a series of Hawks, native to the desert areas that are in the design phase.  So watch for announcements. 

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As if I'm not busy enough, I teach at local quilt shops in the Southern California area. I love to travel and was fortunate enough to be invited to teach at a week-long retreat in Israel, in 2018, by the Israeli Quilt Guild.  It was an honor and a privilege to do so. I met several amazing quilt artists.

 

I always welcome ideas, comments, and suggestions on what I can do to make my patterns easier to understand or add suggested quilting or thread work ideas. I am more than happy to help!  Please feel free to contact me with your request. No request is too large or too small and "No, I am not offended with anyone's suggestions."

 

I can proudly say that I worked with Quilt Passions on the Kailua-Kona side of the Big Island, in designing fabric unique to the Big Island of Hawaii. It is called the Scenes of the Big Island, it is printed by Hoffman Fabrics of California.  It is available only through select quilt shops on the Big Island or you can order it via an email message to me.  

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I now have several of my patterns available as "laser cut kits".  That means the fabric is attached to the fusible web and "cut-out" ready to fuse to the background fabric of your choice. Some, but not all, shell-back designs have also been laser cut so it's super easy to create the "two-4-ers".  

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Enjoy the adventure, my adventure as I continue to design and create a new series of southwest designs (using the turtle), cactus flowers, and scenes from the Desert Southwest, using fabric from Island Batik and other companies.  Watch for details

 

Piece through Quilting

Mary

Prairie Style Revisited Runner