Wednesday, 15 April 2015

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 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.

As the traditional quilting focused on certain beloved patters such as the breadfruit plant or bougainvillea, other fabrics added more flora or scenes of island life. The classic barkcloth is valued by collectors for its beauty and craftsmanship. This originally was material made by pounding the very wet strands of trees known as tapa. As modern processes became available, weaving other fibers moved into the mainstream. Hand printed artwork remains the mainstay for the ever popular fabric. Anyone who likes vintage items with the style of the decades just after WWII and up into 1960 will appreciate pillows made with barkcloth.

Highly contemporary pillowcases feature the most modern artistic technologies. Using screen printing or airbrushing techniques, artisans print out comfortable pillowcases with photographs of life as it is today. These showcase vivid scenes from surfing, beach culture, tourist favorites such as the hula, marine life and plenty of eye popping flowers native to the islands. These are great for photographers and anyone who wants a huge punch of color in their home. Easily washed and dried, these are perfect for contemporary apartments. They also are wonderful to remind anyone of a favorite vacation spot.

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.

If you have decided on the major style category you prefer, then it is time to consider the images you would like. Taking some time to look over the construction and fabric used is also important. Though there are cases offered in most every price point, you do want the item to hold up under normal house wear and tear.

Buy cases with images that are hand printed, hand quilted or use silk screen printing methods on durable cottons or polyester blends. Know which of these may be laundered or not. Vintage and classic quilting will be pricier than other themes, but well worth the expense if that is what you truly love. Enjoy your choice by displaying it in a nice place and you will enjoy the islands year round.




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