Tuesday, 10 March 2015

Searching For The True Maui Style Pillowcases In An Abundance Of Designs

By Leslie Ball


The Internet is a wonderful source for all things Hawaiian. There are beautiful items handcrafted by artisans on each island in this state. But discovering what is truly original and historic design can be troubling if you are not sure which images portray the correct ones.

Seeking out just the right items to cover pillows requires an artistic eye. There are several fashionable themes you should get to know as you search. For it is true that Maui style pillowcases can be very traditional or they can use the latest in printing technologies. Here are the key design elements to consider.

If your fashion sensibilities tend toward classic, and you appreciate hand crafted items made using traditional sewing methods, then you will want to look at Hawaiian style quilting. Though not originally from the island, the process was quickly absorbed and styled to include quilt patterns that use flowers and plants as their inspiration. Typical for these cases is two colors of fabric, with one being a neutral background and the other a bright color. The breadfruit and bougainvillea patterns are classic examples of patterns used. Unlike other sewing traditions, patchwork is not used. Only solid pieces of material are used for the main design on a pillow. The hand stitching and attention to ancient rules for quilting are deeply interwoven in the Hawaiian culture.

For collectors of vintage style, the pillows made from barkcloth will be perfect additions to the home. These could be constructed in the decades from about 1940 to 1960, or they could be modern imitations. You will know by the prices, as the early fabrics are highly collectible and very expensive. It is lucky that the traditional fabrics are now replicated using cotton weaves, which brings down the price and allows anyone to add these beautiful prints to their collections. Look for scenes of old Hawaii, detailed floral and plant patterns, and also retro versions of atomic or Las Vegas styles. You will know the prior by its depictions of space ships and geometric patterns. The latter originally had strands of Lurex gold running through its abstract prints.

The latest in technologies allows artists to airbrush or silkscreen intricately colored scenes of Hawaiian life onto contemporary pillowcases. Some feature scenery of yesteryear, while others are vivid photographs of surfing and beach life today. Any of these will bring a huge pop of color into a modern apartment or home. Extremely popular with photography fans, these are pillows for fun and decor rather than sleeping.

Though tourists enjoy buying any of these types of pillowcases when visiting Maui, there is no need to take a vacation to have some. The craftspeople present these unique items for sale on websites easily sourced on the Internet. As the popularity of island life continues with mainland residents, these artistic creations will continue to be part of many homes.

Once you know your favorite theme and the craftsmanship you prefer, the next step will be to consider the general size and shape of your pillow. Consider what backing fabric you want, and if you would like to buy a sturdy one for living room use. The placement and level of wear and tear you might expect will also affect your decision.

Should a casual, throw it anywhere style be just right, then look for silk screen images on easy to launder fabrics. For busy families that want a bit of comfortable style, having a plain cotton or polyester blend is perfect. The island style can be had for just a bit of research and decorating decisions.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment