Tīvaivai, vibrantcolored fabric hand-stitched into treasured appliquéd and patchworked quilts,are made by women across the Cook Islands. On the island ofEnuamanu Atiu, the craft of tīvaivai is still popular among the vainetini(women) groups. On Thursday, the AtiuTīvaivai Exhibit, owned by Lucy Moody and Teina Toru, was hosted by theVainetini of St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Atiu at theFather Edwin Hall, Te Pori ONuku.
“Atiu TīvaivaiExhibit is a tour option for our island to showcase the vainetini handcraft ofdifferent tīvaivai designs dating back to over 50 years ago in mid-fifties,”says Moody. “The intricate andtime-consuming hand stitches reflect the passion and stories that go with eachpiece.” Moody says theyencourage more young people to take up the art by starting with simple piecesand hopefully progressing to more intricate work.
Because Toru wasin Rarotonga, Moody says she decided to gift the tour to the Catholic Vaine asthey occasionally host functions to raise funds. “This came aboutas anoption for Atiu to showcase the special work of our vainetini and we can giveback to the community.” Two magnificenttīvaivai ta'ōrei quilts, over 50 years old and made from many small pieces ofmaterial sewn into patterns, were placed at the sides of the front display.
One of thesestunning pieces was created by Moody’s grandmother, Vouvou Paulina VapiriKautai. “She would havethe vainetini at her house with all the colours all cut up. The women wou.
