Q: I just moved into my first apartment, and I'm in the process of decorating my bedroom. Do you have any ideas for decorating plain pillowcases?
 -- Blaire Baker, Dallas, TX

It's easy to add a small swath of color to a plain white pillowcase. For a playful change of pace, trim your pillowcases with cotton tape ties or a grosgrain or satin plaid border.

To make the ties, turn a pillowcase inside out, and fold it in half lengthwise. Make a dot 2 1/2 inches from the side and 7 inches from the fold. Repeat on other side. Cut thin cotton tape into eight 10-inch pieces. Fold an end of tape under, and hand-stich onto pillowcase at each marked spot. Knot the loose ends, and allow tape extending from knot to fray; tie into bows.

To make a ribbon border, launder a length of colorfast ribbon. Open pillowcase seam about 3 or 4 inches. Place end of ribbons along open seam, and pin around pillowcase 1/2 to 3 inches from edge. Sew along ribbon edges, and finish by sewing the pillowcase seam closed.