Koru is the name of the shape that represents the unfurling fern frond. It represents new life, hope and growth. It is the basic shape used in Māori art in New Zealand. I love the spiral shape and that each tiny frond is a replica, in miniature of the larger shape (like fractals). If you clench your fist, and look at the spiral formed by your forefinger, you will see the same curling shape. In fact we can form a fist because the bones in our fingers are in the ratio described by Fibonacci sequence (1,1, 2,3,5,8,….). (OK, that was a bit of an aside, but I just love how our world connects.)
This shape is the building block of Māori art, and in my view, you couldn’t have a more beautiful or meaningful starting point. It’s used in complicated kowhaiwhai rafter patterns in wharenui (Meeting houses) and in greenstone carving. Māori art is not static or lost in the past, it’s a vibrant part of contemporary culture.
Here is the koru used in pounamu (greenstone) carving. I love the beauty of the shape. Greenstone is New Zealand nephrite jade. It’s found in the fast flowing waters in the South Island and is precious. The thing that’s important to know is that it was always given. You don’t buy greenstone for yourself. It is always a gift.
This is what you can say when you give someone something precious:
Ahakoa he iti he pounamu
Although it is small, it is greenstone
Now, look carefully at the negative space. There is a perfect Koru made from the spiral of the carving.
You can probably see how koru would make a great fill pattern for quilting, or a feature appliqué motif
Where you see Koru and kowhaiwhai patterns now in New Zealand is just about anywhere. The design elements are used in fabric, fine art, clothing, mobile phone casings, maths lessons, mugs, carvings, tattoos and so on. This exuberance in design has meant the traditional forms have been translated into contemporary New Zealand culture.
One of my favourite contemporary Māori artists is Bernise Williams, the Curator of the Taupō Museum. You can see the use of the koru in this work of art entitled “Puawai” which means to grow, evolve, blossom.
I have been experimenting with Koru in quilting, using koru as applique shapes and as quilting patterns. This circular pattern is a lovely one to quilt (though not at all traditional) and makes a great placemat. It’s suitable for Valentine’s day and as you can see I’ve appliquéd the red one, painted the gold and quilted the pink one in a heavy variegated thread. The centre has been quilted with Westalee rulers: the gold pattern with the 6 inch spiral ruler, the red with the spinifex no 4, 3 ½ inch ruler and the pink with the spinning wheel 36, 5.5 inch ruler. I’ve been learning to use rulers over the last year and I’m loving the extra dimension they can give to our fmq. I’m working on writing a QAYG fmq quilt pattern using koru and I’m so excited about it.
I have put the pdf of these koru motif up as a free download and I hope you will be inspired to use it to make something beautiful which I’d love to see. I haven’t put full instructions, at present, it is just the motif and the placement diagram.
Quilt shop review
Cottage Flair (New Zealand)
Cottage Flair is a lovely quilt shop in Rotorua on a corner in between the cbd and the lake, on the main drag. So nice and easy to find with easy parking. If you are visiting New Zealand Rotorua is a must stop destination and Cottage Flair is definitely a must stop quilt shop. They have a great range of fabric, lots of patterns and kits, a great ambience and good service. Last time I was there I drooled over a number of different prints but ended up getting some leather like fabric, soft, pliable, embossed and beautiful to sew with. Their current block of the month is designed by Jacqui Karl of Kowhaiview Creations and you can see the influence of the koru in the heart shapes.
Importantly, the shop is open every day, so no matter your itinerary you won’t miss out.
1127 Fenton Street
Rotorua, 3010
Phone: +64 7 357 5955
I just love koru so it was a joy to read this post Sue. I learned patchwork and quilting in New Zealand and was always surprised how there were LQS in even the smallest towns.