Quilt, Pillow Cover Made From Hawaiian Quilt Square

Date1970-1980

Maker Rose Lokelani Lum Tam-Hoy (1923 - 2011)

MediumCotton, polyester, nylon zipper

DimensionsOverall: 18 1/2" x 18 1/2" (47 x47 cm.)

Credit LineGift of Lisa Noelani Tam-Hoy Robbins

Object number2012.609.6,1

DescriptionThis is a square pillow cover made from a red on white appliqued and quilted square. The symmetrical design consists of four double lilies with leaves, appliqued by turning the raw edges under and stitching with hidden stitches. The applique motif is outlined with contour quilting out to the edges of the pillow, stitched with 6 running stitches per inch. The cover is finished with piping at the edges and a nylon zipper for inserting a pillow form. The back is off-white cotton matching the front textile.

Label TextThis pillow cover was created from one of three squares in the Colonial Williamsburg collections made by Rose Lokelani Lum Tam-Hoy (1923-2011), a Hawaiian quilter and teacher from Honolulu. This square shows the technique with the applique stitched down, the contour quilting completed, and the piece made into a pillow cover. Mrs. Tam-Hoy learned to quilt from her mother, Agnes Kahoe. Rose Tam-Hoy went on to teach quilting at the Mission Houses Museum, and squares such as this may have been used as demonstration projects.
ProvenanceRose Lokelani Lum Tam-Hoy [1923-2011] (Honolulu, Hawaii); by descent to her son and daughter-in-law, Harold Man Fong Tam-Hoy and Arlene Cora DeSilva Tam-Hoy; by descent to their daughter, Lisa Noelani Tam-Hoy Robbins (Newport News, Virginia); 2012-present, given to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.