Picking Colors for Pillowcases

There are things I like about pillowcases, but more things I don’t like about making pillowcases. The other day I got into a zone with making them and the whole process wasn’t so bad. Making pillowcases in batches is definitely the way to go.

One thing about making pillowcases is the different colors and fabrics required. The sizes required are so weird that I am left with weird pieces of fabric left over. This really shouldn’t matter that much since there is really no shortage of fabric in my workroom, but the bad part is figuring out where to store these weird sizes.

All this background is to say that there is more to choosing colors for pillowcases than actually just choosing the colors. Do I want this particular fabric leftover in a weird size is a consideration also.

One thing I have done is to eliminate the trim unless I have a piece laying around that will work. Next I decide on a color I want as an accent for the cuff and go rummaging around in the particular bin where that color is stored. I might have the perfect color, but I might want to keep the fabric for something else. Lately, I have been trying not to consider certain fabrics precious. I am much happier if I can see a fabric I love in a project I use frequently.

Laurel Burch Pillowcase
Laurel Burch Pillowcase

Some of the Christmas fabrics I had were hard to match with accent colors. I really wonder why I bought this Laurel Burch fabric, but I did and it was about to become a pillowcase. It was probably on sale.

Orange isn’t really a Christmas color, but it is different and orange makes the pillowcase even more bright and cheerful than the Laurel Burch cats already are. It is a different look, but one that will suit one of the nephews or neieces.

Purple, Green & Gold Pillowcase
Purple, Green & Gold Pillowcase

The purple with gold was a challenge. it is definitely more of a winter themed fabric that Christmas per se. I would have chosen gold for the cuff, but don’t have any gold fabric. I decided to use the color wheel as my friend and picked a batik green with purple highlights. It isn’t a stellar choice because of the motifs, but it is bold and unique.

These two are the most unusual. The others I made were much m ore conventional.

Author: Jaye

Quiltmaker who enjoys writing and frozen chocolate covered bananas.

5 thoughts on “Picking Colors for Pillowcases”

  1. I love these color combinations; they are a nice change from the typical red and green.

    I think you bought the Laurel Birch for bags. I always find those fabrics appealingbut hard to work with. Bert has given me a number of them over the years and I usually end up using them for napkins or journal covers.

    Also I am always willing to accept weird shaped/sized remnants! 🙂

    1. Good thought. I don’t do as much applique’ as I would like, but I’ll keep that in mind and you may get a bag of scraps at some point.

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