My second favorite article to embroider, after quilts, is pillowcases. Although I’ve stitched lots of them for gifts, I have never made any for myself, and I hope to correct that situation soon. For each set I always use two different designs, and a similar color palette. If I tried to make two matching pillowcases, I would probably never finish the second one.
My family has always used the term “pillowcase” — are you a pillowcase or a pillowslip person?
Here are some simple, but sweet patterns from the early 1900s, most of which are meant to use with initials. As always, continue clicking on the images until they are full-sized.
How delightful to know that I am not the only one to have difficulty making two of the same things! When I was learning to knit several baby sets of 1 arm and 1 front accumulated in a drawer, along with a matching mitten and bootie.
I like to embroider pillowcases too. When my mother went off to college in the 50’s she deliberately embroidered each one of the pair with different color combinations so her roomates would know she had changed the cases! I still have and cherish those well-worn cases. I have been looking for a nice pattern that includes “Sweet Dreams.” Do you by any chance have any with that sentiment? Thank you so much for sharing these patterns, no surprise, i like the bird one!
These are my favorite things! Thank you for posting these lovely patterns.
They are all so very pretty! I have always called them pillowcases, too. I just finished making all 7 members of my immediate family an embroidered pillowcase for Christmas, and yes I just made each person one. I wouldn’t have made it through two of the same design for each person, either. I want to make myself some as well, I tend to give mine all away. I love the little birds, they are my favorites out of these.
We call them pillowcases. I love to embroider pillowcases. That’s one of the first things grandma taught me to do – embroider on pillowcases – mostly lazy daisy stitches and back stitches. I like to crochet edgings for them too. Then I like to give them as gifts to special people who will appreciate them. I have some in the hope chests for the grandkids also. I know what you mean about making two of the same – I think I’ve had one of the “sames” with pansies and crochet edging in my project box for a couple of years.
Thank you for posting these lovely patterns for “pillowcases.”
Love these!!
Not for the first time I spend delightful moments on your site. I simply adore everything you do. Your fine works are a feast for the eye. Your work in Progress – Problem made me smile. Maybe it’s best to leave them all in separate boxes and not fret about. Think of it as an Investment into the future. Some descendant may find them and have the time of his life.
Kind regards from Switzerland.
Beautiful! We always called them pillowcases 🙂 thank you!
Oh! I love embroidered pillow cases! One year when I was in elementary school, our neighbor gave me a set of embroidered pillow cases. I loved them. My mom thought they were dumb. I regret not insisting that they be kept. I know they just disappeared one day. 🙁
Pillowcases are one of my favorite things to embroider. I love a bed full of them!
I must have been in early elementary school when I learned to embroider on stamped pillowcases. I should start now and do some as Christmas gifts! Thanks for the designs!
Great this post, very thank you for your sharing
Thank you for sharing all these embroidery patterns! I love the vintage patterns.