So I am always on the lookout for pretty cotton fabric to make pillowcases. The fabric has to have just the right "hand." It needs to feel good on my face and still be pretty. While I love crisp, white pillowcases, I also really like printed ones, especially ones that I have decorated with crochet edgings. I have quite a stack of prints now and have several lengths of crocheted edgings as well. Now I just have to put them together...
When I crochet an edging before I have a pillowcase for it, it is helpful to remember that there are two types of edging patterns. One type develops from one end and is crocheted to a desired length and then you stop. When I use this type of pattern, I crochet the edging to a standard length plus an inch or so. This pattern type allows some flexibility later when I'm sewing the edging to the finished pillowcase. I can just unravel a bit from the end if I need to. The other type of edging pattern is crocheted into a pre-measured foundation chain. You can see that three of the edgings in the picture are crocheted into a foundation chain. Because I made these ahead and this type of pattern requires a finished measurement, I will now have to make the pillowcase to fit the edging. That isn't a problem, in this case, but it is something to be aware of.
BTW, before you ask, I don't worry too much about whether the print matches anything else in the hope chest. I have never had a matching bed "set." All the beds in our house are covered with handmade scrappy quilts or miscellaneous blankets. It is a real farmhouse, meaning nothing matches and everything is used. But pretty is still important to me. I hope Abigail has absorbed that value to the degree that she can find use for such extra pillowcases. They will certainly match the scrappy quilts I plan to make for her hope chest.
Oh, those edgings are lovely! I am absolutely sure that Miss Abigail will be delighted to use the pillowcases in the future. Personally, I think that unique, different, and/or vintage pillowcases add to an interesting combo on a bed, especially with lovely handmade quilts. Someday I will make a real quilt. Back in 1975, I made a quilt of yellow and blue floral and checked squares for my sister's bed. I tied the quilt with blue yarn. I made some pillow slips to go with it. My sister used the little set for years and so did her daughter. I think about that set and have to laugh. It was a beginning sewer and thought I knew enough to tackle anything. It didn't even have seam binding! I just sewed around the 'quilt sandwich' and turned it right side out.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention that "envelope" quilt binding. I consider that a real quilt since I have used that technique for many baby quilts I have made. It is quick and easy and lasts as long as it needs too. I think the confidence to do things is really the best skill to have when it comes to handmade. If we are afraid to try, nothing ever gets done.
DeleteOh, those edgings are lovely! I am absolutely sure that Miss Abigail will be delighted to use the pillowcases in the future. Personally, I think that unique, different, and/or vintage pillowcases add to an interesting combo on a bed, especially with lovely handmade quilts. Someday I will make a real quilt. Back in 1975, I made a quilt of yellow and blue floral and checked squares for my sister's bed. I tied the quilt with blue yarn. I made some pillow slips to go with it. My sister used the little set for years and so did her daughter. I think about that set and have to laugh. It was a beginning sewer and thought I knew enough to tackle anything. It didn't even have seam binding! I just sewed around the 'quilt sandwich' and turned it right side out.
ReplyDeleteWould you be willing to do a tutorial on sewing the actual pillowcase? All the ones I find are for the roll up style ment to showcase a few fabrics I want to know the simplest possible pillowcase for showcasing the crochet trims. You do such a wonderful job explaining
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