One Cushy Job

She makes a creative case for pillows.

Seamstress Lesley Rackowski dreamed up a creative idea for her home-based business: custom-made pillowcases with a personal message.

"Think of it as artwork for your bed," she says from her rural acreage near Westfield, New York. "They're bright and colorful and can be changed on a whim."

She started making pillowcases as gifts for friends and tucked fun, handwritten notes inside. People liked them so much that she was soon selling her Pillowcasegrams, first via a Web site and then from a store she opened in nearby North East, Pennsylvania.

"Each case is sent with a personal message from the giver typed out on paper to look like a telegram," she says. "Additionally, I can use my embroidery machine to sew any sentiment onto the fabric."

Lesley's letter-perfect stitches range from simple monograms to favorite scripture passages. "I made a pillowcase for one woman with the names of her 40 grandchildren and great-grandkids covering the front and back," she says. "A father ordered a case for his daughter with 'E-mail your dad' and his address embroidered on the cuff!"

Lesley offers plenty of designs, all in 100 percent cotton, for holidays, hobbies and special occasions.

She also designs and makes customized, heirloom throw pillows featuring embroidery and memorable family photographs.

 "Technology makes it easy to transfer photos to fabric," Lesley explains. "I've made pillows and cases decorated with wedding portraits and snapshots of game-winning touchdowns.

"The best thing about personalized linens—no one will take yours by mistake. And when you fall asleep with your favorite things under your head, you're bound to wake up happy!"

Editor's Note: For more on Lesley's one-of-a-kind pillowcases, visit pillowcasegram.com.

Photo By: Paul M. Lorei Photography