Tīvaevae ta’ōrei (patch work quilt)

Tīvaevae - Treasured quilts

Tīvaevae are treasured quilts made by women in the Cook Islands. Tīvaevae are made from brightly coloured fabrics, and designs can include geometric shapes, flower and animal designs - though animal or bird shapes are considered unlucky on a bedspread. While tīvaevae serve a practical purpose, they are used as decorations and, more importantly, presented as gifts at important occasions such as weddings, funerals, pakoti'anga rauru (boy's haircutting ceremonies), receptions for church ministers and, among New Zealand Cook Islanders, 21st birthday parties, gifts to VIPs and dearly loved people in the family and the community.

Missionary Influence
Tīvaevae are believed to have been introduced to the Cook Islands by the wives of early European missionaries, who taught quilting and needlework. It is thought that patchwork quilts came first, and appliqué and embroidered quilts later. It did not take long for this imported art form to take on a uniquely Cook Island appearance, with bright, vibrant tivaevae motifs such as flowers and plants reflecting the natural environment of the Cook Islands.

Making Tīvaevae
When making tīvaevae, while some women work alone, many work together to sew their quilts in women's groups called va'ine tini, which meet to share ideas and sing as they work. They are similar to the Tongan koka'anga and other women's work parties found throughout the Pacific Islands. There are four main kinds of tīvaevae. Tivaevae ta'orei (patchwork), have a large number of small patches sewn together to form a pattern. Tīvaevae manu (appliqué) and Tīvaevae tataura (embroidered appliqué), have designs sewn to a backing cloth. Tīvaevae tuiauri are sewn on the sewing machine.

This tīvaevae ta’ōrei (patch work quilt) was made by Teata Rua Teau in Porirua in 1978 for her daughter's wedding in 1988. Teata has used Tahitian tifaifai designs, an unusual pattern for Cook Island tivaevae.