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

By Leslie Ball


There are many designs advertised as being truly Hawaiian these days. Internet websites are filled with plenty of beautiful fabric items that are handmade in Hawaii. But finding what is authentic is a matter of searching through the images to capture the true essence of island decor.

Searching for the best island decor to suit your taste is a matter of artistic preference. You will want to learn which themes evoke the various styles of island life as you look over the hundreds of offerings for sale. Some Maui style pillowcases are created with an homage to Hawaiian history, while others are highly contemporary.

If you know that you are a classicist, then your tastes probably run toward hand made items featuring the best of traditional themes. One top pastime which evokes the past is traditional quilting. Settlers brought this sewing technique to the islands generations ago. But, islanders used the flowers and plants around them as inspiration. Rather than piece together many tiny scraps of fabric, they chose to use bright solids in one piece. Each quilt pattern is an abstract botanical shape. Popular and classic are bougainvillea and breadfruit patterns. The stitching that overlays each quilt piece is also passed down from generation to generation. For many islanders, making quilts is a spiritual act, deeply rooted in specific rules to honor their religious roots.

On a more modern note, there are lovely pillows covered with cases made of woven fabric called barkcloth. This is an updated version of traditional fabrics made by pounding wet fibers from the Tapa tree. Craftsman would construct large sheets which would the prepared and then used to create beautiful highly textured fabrics. The versions used in recent times preserves the woven design work and often adds hand printed artwork in botanical patterns. For those who are looking for vintage appeal, these are the designs to seek out.

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.

You could plan to buy your favorite pillowcase on your next visit to the Islands. But Maui craftspeople have made it possible to buy these appealing items using the Internet. Enjoying the island in comfort without ever leaving home is easy to do. Visit these popular websites to find what local artisans are creating and you will find examples of fine workmanship in many styles.

Once the images are considered, then it is time to think about the overall finish of the pillows. Some are made with heavy weight materials and are best used for addition a special touch to a sofa or loveseat. They will stand up under repeated use even though handmade.

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.




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