Today's my day for a Pillow Talk blog post.
All the Moda designers are supposed to make a pillow and blog about it.
Click here to read the overview of the blog hop.
No where does it say we were supposed to SEW a pillow.
So I Photoshopped the pillow above.
Moda Lissa said I might tell you when pillows were invented....
The first decorator pillow---a spotted rock
But I think I'll just tell you when pillows were hot.
About 100 years ago when the picture postcard was THE thing, people sent picture postcards of pillows.
Women showing off pillows
Showing off doll and pillows
Showing off baby and pillow
Showing off pajamas and pillows
And a Kansas fiftieth anniversary pillow, 100 years ago.
I bet their mothers didn't know they were photographed in their nightgowns. Things like that go on in Chicago.
Above is my sister's living room with Stickley furniture and pillows of antique textiles or reproductions.
Many of her reproductions are from Dianne Ayres Textile Studio.
The appliqued and embroidered ginko leaf is a Stickley design on linen.
See Dianne's web page Textile Studio:
And the book she wrote with several co-authors:
American Arts and Crafts Textiles.
It's everything you need to know about decorating with Craftsman textiles.
But wait--- this is supposed to be about my fabric---not Dianne.
So I've photoshopped another pillow.
Above is an appliqued adaptation of William Morris's Strawberry Thief, done in my William Morris reproduction prints, stitched by Georgann Eglinski and photoshopped into my reproduction Morris chair.
Buy the pattern for the applique here:
And here's the pillow I should have sewed. You can download a free pillow case pattern from American Patchwork and Quilting's All People Quilt web site by clicking here. They've used fabrics from my Morris Tapestry collection for their Million Pillow Cases project.
Tomorrow Deb Strain entertains on the Pillow Talk Blog Hop. Click here on Feb 18th.
Posts
156 comments:
very interesting spin on the topic
Lots of great info. I own Dianne's book - it's an amazing reference book. I love the photo at the beginning...not only are they in their nightgowns, but most of them have their hair down!
I always love your posts...and love the pillow too!
I love Diannes book and enjoyed the post. Love the stawberry theif pillow! Thanks and have a great day.
Very good info on the history of the pillow. Thanks and hope you enjoy your day and thank you for being in the pillow blog hop.
Thank you for sharing interesting information, as always! I'm a huge fan of your William Morris reproduction prints.
How very interesting. Thanks for the pillow facts!
Great report on the history of pillows! We learn something new every day.
I love the spotted rock - it appears that pillows have great roots! Loved your post. Have a wonderful day.
Love the photo of your sister's room! Love your bird pillow! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post -- I feel enlightened! :-)
I never knew there was so much to pillow history. Love the vintage photos.
Really interesting information ... thanks for all you do for quilt (and pillow) history.
I learned alot about pillows! Thanks for sharing!
Love the Strawberry Thief pillow! Very pretty! Thanks so much for the history lesson in pillowology (is that a word?).
Great commentary about the history of pillows! Who would have guessed that pillows were popular enough to warrant postcards :-)
Love the history of the pillow. I don't have any of the books you mention but I will be looking them up
Thanks
pam roever at yahoo dot com
great history lesson on pillows and thanks for the reminder about contributing pillowcases. I need to get mine done!
Have enjoyed the William Morris prints!
Loving the history you taught us:) You made it fun to learn:) Beautiful pillows and fabrics!!!
Thanks for the history lesson. Very interesting.I love your Morris Tapestry line. =)
Interesting information on the history of pillows. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
In addition to your other classes, could you reach me to Photoshop as well as you do?!
Love seeing and learning about the antique pillows, and your Morris pillow design is beautiful!
I love the altered pillow picture...you had me going. I thought all the designers had gottent together in their nightgowns ;)
Great history lesson. Love the spotted rock. The strawberry thief is awesome!
Wonderful history lesson Barbara and I love the ginko pillow, one like it maybe in my future...
Interesting old pictures of pillows. I love old pictures!
I had NO idea about photographing in Times Past with pillows.
I giggled when I saw the spotted rock - now that'd be considered a HARD pillow. LOL
Barbara, you are a wealth of knowledge. Enjoyed reading about pillow history and all the photos. Thanks for your post for pillow talk.
Interesting pillow history; enjoyed it!
I love your pillows and enjoyed reading the history of pillows! Thanks
I love my soft pillow too much to give it up for a spotted rock. Thanks for the laugh.
Thank you for the pictures and all the pillow information. Very interesting.
The pillowcase is lovely made up in the William Morris fabrics.
interesting history of pillows.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I'd like to move to your sister's living room. Just lovely.
Thank you for altering that great picture!
Thank you for participating in the Moda Pillow Talk!
Thanks for the neat pillow facts..very interesting.
Fun history on pillows, something different to learn about in the fabric crafts.
Debbie
Love your post and the earliest pillow-the spotted rock. Glad we have moved on! Also love your Strawberry Thief Pillow design-Charming! Thanks~
It was fun and very interesting reading your post on pillows. I bet Lissa was wondering what your twist was going to be. Thanks for sharing all your important history.
First time I have been on your blog..learned so much...what great pictures, and I think I need your sisters book...And your Strawberry Thief pillow is soooooo...great..Love the William Morris fabric..need to make something out of that...
I never realized how often pillows were used as props in old photos. Thanks for the history lesson.
Sue
Oh my gosh, I loved this 'history' lesson. Really great photos and I love the one you altered as the lead in for the post. Now I know some folks like a firm pillow but as lovely as the spotted rock is...I think that would be a bit too firm for most of us, LOL. The photo of the Kansas fiftieth anniversary pillow is wonderful. I wonder what color it was/is??? Thanks again for all the fun info, and I can't leave without telling you how much I love your fabric collections. They are always just beautiful. Hugs...
Have to admit, that I have given myself permission to just not read all these pillow hop posts. In fact it has worked well, as I may get caught up with the 452 posts I am behind. I am still doing quilts so have dismissed the pillows.... WELL I read every word of your Pillow post - twice - and and love the purple pillowcase. Love the Morris fabric and have a kid who likes purple.... never really sees the pattern.... so.... there is a purple Morris a la Barbara pillow case in my future. Gota LOVE photoshop....... you are good....
Love all the pillow postcards - who knew!♥
I enjoyed the history behind the pillow. Absolutely fascinating.
Thanks
Mary
I loved the history lesson from your blog today - it was interesting to learn about the history of collecting pillows. Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing your pillow history. Isn't photoshop great?
Thanks for the little history lesson on pillows--it was so cute!
Karen in Breezy Point
I love your idea of a photoshop pillow! Thanks for the pillow history ... I had no idea people took photos with their pillows!
The history lesson was wonderful - my Grandma (1893 - 1981) loved pillows and was pretty picky about their use (No pillows on the floor and please don't sit on them) It was so fun to see the pictures you posted, Barbara. Love your new fabric line too!
Love the old photos! Thanks for the info on pillows.
Cyn
Fun reading about pillows. I loved the other William Morris line and can't wait to see the next one.
Thanks for the history lesson on pillows--you're very creative with PhotoShop. I have a "World's Fair" pillow that was my grandmother's which is very similar to your 50th Anniversary pillow. It was fun to see that picture.
What a cute take on a history lesson. I like'd reading and finding out about the pilows. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the history lesson, love your fabric and books too!
Thanks for all the historical research you do/have done for the quilting businesses. I love reading your "take" on pillows and quilting.
how fun that you found those photos to "educate' us on pillows. Love William Morris too!
Just discovered your blog since the Hop began and it is so interesting and fun! Your pillow history is wonderful and especially reminding people of the Million Pillow Project! I just ordered one of your books. With all my Civil War family history I need to know more!
What an interesting history of pillows! I loved the one of the girls in their nightgowns in Chicago & your comment. :) Thanks for sharing this!
Interesting! Pictures with your pillow. Okay then.
I loved the picture at the top. I love history and I really enjoyed the info that you have given. Thank you.
Very good post. You always provide such interesting information about the past and because I love history, I always enjoy your blog!
Too fun. I love the history info.
Refreshing! A history lesson on the tour! Thanks!
Oh.My.Goodness. I love your humor!! I do believe I will just have to move your blog into my 'favorites' category since I just found you through the blog tour. Thank you for this history of pillows!!! :)
I really appreciate this post full of historical facts! Great read!!! :o)
GREAT POST!
THANKS FOR SHARING!
I too loved the spotted rock, and had no idea about picture with pillows. Maybe that is why my mother loves them so much . Thanks
Love the photos,the embroidered ginko leaf is just beautiful. That design will be perfect in my front room. The book looks interesting, will have to check it out.
What a fun post to read. Thanks for sharing your pillow talk.
I'm just happy I was born where I can sit on a pillow instead of a rock!! tee hee. Fun post.
Love your sister's living room! Ready to move in there! Aren't you glad we don't sleep on rocks?
Thanks for the info on the Arts & Crafts pillows. I've been looking for some for my living room.
It never occurred to me that pillows have a history - I just figured people always used them but I guess not. I really enjoy reading your research.
I'm happy I learn something today thanks!
A little pillow history lesson - thanks!
All this talk of pillows is making me sleepy!
Thanks for sharing the history of pillows.
Thanks for the pillowcase link - a great charity de-stash project. Love the William Morris prints.
Loved all the pillow histry....great pictures.
Thx for the pillowcase challenge reminder!!! :)
Hi, loved your spotted rock pillow -- hilarious. I also enjoyed the pillow history. Pillows are fun and I have made quite a few. I also have been making pillowcases for grandchildren (all holidays/interests) and their friends and my friends!
Barb H.
Love it! I always love the information you have!!
I love it when someone thinks outside the box! Great info and "interesting" pillow.
What a great post showing all the historical information about pillows. LOVED the pictures. Thank you so much.
vburr at charter dot net
I always learn something new from your blog posts. Thanks
Thank you for the interesting blog post.
I never thought of the history of pillows......thanks for all the info.
I love your fabric and have been a fan for mare years than I care to mention. Keep up the good work!
I love the history of common objects - this post was great!
That first pic is a hoot! I did not know the Moda designers had sleep overs!
Thanks for the history lesson!
I read somewhere many years ago that the ancient Egyptians (think Cleopatra) used cylindrical shapes cut from stome for pillows. Talk about a pian in the neck!
Fun pillow pics! thanks for sharing!
love the old photos!
Great history lesson! All this pillow talk is putting me in the mood to make some pillows for my home.
Wonderful colors in your Civil War Reunion line.
Thanks for all the time you put into making a great post.
Some of those postcards are HI-larious.
LOVED the old photos! And, your pillow is great. Enjoyed your blog!
Love the photoshopped pillow!
Great idea on the first photo! I really wondered about the "MODA" and just when the company was started! Thank you for making it all so interesting. I'm now going to find something to photoshop for dinner! :)
It was really interesting to see all the pillows in the old photos. Thanks for sharing! :)
Being from Chicago, I loved the "girls." Very interesting info on pillows. Who knew there'd be so much info on pillows without you sewing a pillow? Thanks.
I love the picture with the girls in their nightgowns. Kinda looks like my quilt retreat this past weekend! LOL!
Photoshop sure is useful! :) Lovely collection of historical pillow photos!
Fun post! Thanks for all the info and fun photos!
Thanks for sharing the link to the all people quilt website... I keep meaning to use some of my fabric for that cause
I really enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing.
That was fun to read. It was interesting that women showed off their pillows. I enjoyed the pictures, thanks!
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [18 Feb 12:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
Very interesting information!
Thanks so much for the information! I love looking at the antique quilts you have on your blog.
love the photo at the beginning...not only are they in their nightgowns, but most of them have their hair down!
Also had a good browse thru the day to take in your site and info. Thank you.
Thank you for the history lesson on pillows.
Alda, Fl
always love the history lesson - thanks, Laurie
Barbara, you are so talented! Great digital effects. Thanks for being my Facebook friend. :)
Didn't realize so many postcards had pillows on them. Thanks for the info. and Wm. Morris fabric.
Always great to learn about the history of quilting and needleworks. Thanks for participating!
So glad I've been reading Civil War Quilts,
Lady Liberty Blog. Your Pillow Blog as well as your other site Blogs remind me of how I became interested in Quilting 25+ years ago.
The history.
Thank you also for reminding me, with humor, of the need for,fabric/Quilts/pillows in American history. Now a passion. Pray for good cotton crops.
I love your pillow post! Very informative!
I loved the history about pillows. I've been in this learning mode lately, must be coming with age, and found this quite enjoyable. Thank you!
Great post, I love all your fabrics. Pam S
Thank you for the history lesson. I always enjoy your posts. I think I will go make a pillowcase and pass on some pillow history.
Great pictures - thanks for sharing.
The Morris Tapestry pillowcase is beautiful!
Great post! As a family historian, I'm often cracking up over old photos. I'm sure future generations will laugh at my albums as well. From now on, I'll be watching for pillow pictures.
I love looking at old photos. Civil War history is especially interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Who knew that about pillows? Thanks for all the interesting info.
I can always count on an interesting post when I visit your blog and this one is no exception!
History of pillows; Great; this is you. I have made several pillow cases for McDonald House here in Indy.
Thanks
What a fun post!! Loved the fact that you used the ever great photoshop to use for your pillow =)
Thanks!
lyanna (lyannab@gmail.com)
Loved the history lesson on pillows!So fun to see the old pictures and the beautiful long hair the ladies had! Thanks for the interesting variation of the Pillow Talk blog hop!
I enjoyed your post. Thanks.
This was a great post to read! I collect rocks, so that one would be fun! I also collect your books, patterns and fabrics! I love the history of quilts and the people who made them! How they made do! Thanks for all your work!
Learned a lot from this history lesson! Thanks
Thanks for the great information! Love the nightgown picture - my mom has a picture of her and her friends in baby doll pajamas taken about 50 years ago!
What fun to learn so much about pillows :)Thanks for the info.
LOVE your take on making a pillow. Such a vast knowledge of the history of all these things! Thanks for sharing . I always learn so much.
ps. We have several mission oak pieces - not sure that they are actual stickley furniture - but we have always loved them.
Love your pictures and it was fun to read. Thanks so much!
Love all the old postcard pics! Wish I knew how to photoshop :) I love the Craftsman Era, and Dianne Ayres' studio. There are lots of bungalows in my city and some large beautiful Craftsman's, including a Greene and Greene. Your pillow is really gorgeous!
wow! thanks for the info about that book. i love love love the william morris prints with the daffodils! it's so neat to have a historian in the moda designers bunch! :D
What a very refreshing, creative posting you did for your special day..really enjoyed the old photos. I have never seen any old photos like that with pillows. I love your new William Morris line with the birds. Invested heavily.LOL
Very interesting history. I love to read about this kind of history.
Julie
jaaverill@aol.com
Very interesting history. Thank you for sharing.
I love William Morris. Dianne Ayres' book is great. Thank you for A Morris Tapestry.
Lots of good informatiom about pillows!
Thanks.
I didn't know pillows were that important, but seems they were photographed alot
I really enjoyed your article. Thanks for all of your hard work redearching pillows.
Barbara your posts and historical information are always so interesting.
Thank you for all the history you have given us.
Ellen
Thank you for all the interesting information on pillows and quilts
Enjoyed your article on the history of pillows. It is always nice to be reminded that fashions and trends reappear every so many years.
Thanks for such am interesting post on the history of the pillow . You are always a wealth of information. Thank you!
What an interesting post! I enjoyed seeing all the old photos. I especially liked the ginko leaf pillow.
see Lissa was right! thanks for the very interesting post
The first pillow was a rock! LOL!!!
Enjoyed reading all of the information about the pillows. Thanks for sharing!
Cynthia
Love all the info!! I so enjoy hearing the history!
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