Caohagan Island Quilts : Small Miracle of the Philippines

Explore quilts and quiltmaking on Caohagan Island in the Philippines through 250-plus photos of colorful quilts, the quiltmaking process, and island life. The true miracle of this 13-acre paradise is that more than 100 of the 600 islanders are quiltmakers and sales of these handmade quilts—in Asia, the United States, and Europe—provide a third of the island’s income. Learn about history and contemporary life on Caohagan, how quiltmaking came to the island, and the dreams and stories of the quiltmakers, who skillfully merge piecing and appliqué in colorful quilts. The art reflects and enhances the beauty of the island, while ensuring families have enough to eat, access to education and health care, and a lifestyle in touch with the earth and each other. Caohagan Island's quiltmaking combines with white-sand beaches, coconut palms, children laughing, and the fresh catch of the day to define it as a model for sustainable living.