"My Favorite Things of Hawaii"!

Quilt shops have got to be the best! One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to sniff out the local quiltshops. On day three of being in Hawaii, I was on the road to Hilo from Kona to find that special one!
Hilo is located on the eastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is known to be the wettest city in the United States, along with one of the wettest cities in the world. We were staying in Kona which is on the western side of the Island and is known to be the dry side. Anyway, from Kona it is a quite a ways drive!

We just happen to get into Hilo right after the morning rain. The quiltshop I found there was Dragon Mama, located in an old restored building on Kamehameha Ave., across from the ocean front.

This was a most unusual quiltshop of sorts.

It was originally started by Utae Arai Suzuki

in Oakland, California in 1998.

It specialized in Japenese fabrics and Kimonos.

 In 1992 Utae ( shown here cutting fabric for me)

moved her shop to Hilo. The move brought changes.

Dragon Mama now sells an assortment of things,

such as shoji lanterns, kimonos, bomboo baskets,

bamboo and oak furniture, and natural fiber futons,

along with buckwheat hulls and kapok for filling them.

Meditaion pillows lined the shelves

along with a few quilts for sale.

Did I say quilts?

Yes, there were quilts and fabrics!

Walls of fabrics of many kinds!

There were several bolts of organically grown,

colored cotton Japanese fabrics.

This is the section where I found my favorite fabrics!

Just beyond them were Indonesian and Indian batiks.

 

On one end cap I came across some

beautiful African and Hawaiian prints.

  

A smaller section had silk and Japanese Yukata

 

 and Ikat fabrics, just perfect for making kimonos.

 I was very taken by this lovely gauze fabric,

however I thought it might be a bit pricey for me.

Then there were these cute little fellows!

 I have a hard time looking at them now

and thinking that I actually left them there.

They were just beckoning to come home with me!

These items were for children and listed below

them you will notice the sign reads;

We have vintage kimono in this Tansu,

$100.- ~ $300.-  Hmmmm!

On the wall behind that was an organic section
featuring an "Organic Cotton Collection" for babies.

Oh! How could I forget! (thanks Pat!)

The best part was that I did bring home five yards

of the most beautiful Japanese cotton fabrics.

 

I fell in love with them the minute I saw them, because

it most reminded me of the 1930's Aunt Gracies.

To sum it all up, it was a wonderful experience.

Until next time!

Hugs!

Rae Ann

Be sure to stop in again for part II!