Versatile Quilting Skills

By Alison Place

Machine quilting allows one to create beautiful works without having to know the intricate skills of quilting by hand. Becky Takashima has been practicing this craft for years and has taught it to many people on the island. Machine quilters have made a host of things using this technique: table runners, pot holders, wall hangings, pillow cases, and t-shirt quilts to name a few. Meanwhile, for those who are on the lookout for new pillow cases to try, they will be pleasantly surprised with options like that silk pillow case.

According to Becky, you don’t have to have any prior experience to learn this. All you have to do is sew a straight line with a sewing machine – and if you don’t know how to do that, she’ll show you! She offers a free quilting class every other Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Kaunakakai School Library. It is a flexible day, and participants come in and out all day long as their schedules allow. These classes are sponsored by the 21st Century Grant, Connecting Molokai M’s: “Me, My Mind, My Mana`o” (CMM).

If you are interested in joining in, Becky encourages you to stop by, talk story and see what the possibilities are. Then you can plan your project. Sewing machines are provided and you don’t have to bring anything that first day. The quilting group will be meeting on the following Saturdays: April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, and May 15. Call Joshua Adachi (553-1730) to register of stop by on one of the Saturdays to take a look-see!