This monogrammed pillowcase was made so I could use one of my treasured vintage crocheted edgings. Long after the fabric of the pillowslip was worn thin,  many of the sturdy American made lace trims survived unscathed. They were routinely removed and put aside for a second life on another pillowcase.The pink variegated filet crochet edging on this pillowcase is enjoying at least its second life on my daughter’s bed.
The pillowcase is made of linen and the back of the design was covered by the 5″ hem which was pinstitched in place. Both the hem and the crochet edging were attached with a pinstitch, worked in pink Madeira Coton 80 wt. thread. A #90 needle was used instead of a wing needle which might have damaged the crochet edging.
Fond as I am of monograms, I enjoy trying different techniques. This “R” was taken from an alphabet for hand embroidery, copied and resized on my printer/copier, then traced onto the linen fabric with a blue washaway marker.
The daisy stitch, one of the most common decorative stitches on sewing machines, was selected and reduced, both in length and width.   A piece of lightweight tearaway stabilizer was floated beneath the linen to keep the stitches lying flat. As I came to the loops in the R where stitches would be closer together due to pivoting, I reduced the stitch size. When the needle approached the long, straight legs of the R, the original size of the daisy stitch was resumed.
The frame was taken from the another embroidery book. I copied it, then enlarged it. The smaller frame was set inside the larger one which was sized so that  the distance between the two frames was 3/8″ . A piece of bright pink was placed behind the frame and shadow applique’d with a pin stitch worked with the same needle and thread as them hem and edging attachment.
The beauty of using a decorative stitch for a traced monogram is that this monograms of any size can be stitched. Rather than being limited by the size of a machine embroidery hoop, the only limitation is the size your copier will allow the letter to be enlarged.
I’ve always treasured crocheted pillowcase edgings. Some years ago, I wrote an article for a series I did on antique textiles for Creative Needlemagazine. I entitled the article Rescued American Beauties, but Editor Ann Hendersen defaulted to the series title, Antique Textiles.
In the past, they were relatively abundant in antique shops, usually in a basket on the floor, in lengths of 40-42″”, priced between $1 and $3. I could never resist buying at least a few. To the best of my knowledge, they were never made commercially, but were created with nimble fingers and rapid fire hooks by “everyday housewives.” The sole purpose of this homemade lace was to beautify the homes of the creator.
When I finger a piece in my stash/collection, I always wonder about the woman who crocheted it. Was she a young lady, making it for her hope chest? A mother stitching a pillowcase edging for her daughter or for her own pillow?  Was this “pick up” work a joy or a responsibility, like laundry? I wonder if, long after I am gone, anyone will ask these questions about the things I have made.