Common Textiles

I have many sets of old pillow cases. They are pretty but that is not the primary reason I have them. I bought most of them in the 80s at the Salvation Army, thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales. I could spot them in almost any setting and the amazing handmade detail would compel me to buy them every time.

Although some of them are probably quite old I've use them all. I hardly ever make the bed without vintage pillowcases on it. They are all one hundred percent heavy cotton. Most of them are made from actual pillowcasing fabric, woven in a tube without a side seam. They have been washed over and over again so they feel velvety and I iron them (yes, I do) so that they are crisp AND velvety.

I noticed the colors in the roses on this one this morning. I wonder if the fabric has faded from a more brilliant pink to the salmon or if she was thinking of a particular rose that she had seen and reproducing the shading on the petals with thread she chose to edge the applique with. The two-tones of pink seems to argue for deliberate shading.