It sounds just much like something my mother in England used. When a
double bed was made, there was a long skinny pillow (a bolster) which
lay on top of the bottom sheet at the head of the bed. On top of this
there was placed the regular bed pillows. The bolster had a long skinny
cover called a bolster-case.
I am almost 70, and my mother has been long gone. I remember seeing
this when I was young; she didn't use it in later years; like us, she
just used two pillows. So, I would guess I last saw one about 50 years ago.

Hope this helps.

Gillian

wrote:
I found this piece of fabric in my mother's things after she died.
It's a seamless tube of white woven material, 4 feet long and about 18"
wide when flattened out. Each end has a scalloped, tatted edge.

I can't imagine what this is. Are there any antique textile experts
who could help me identify this piece?

TIA
Kate
Maine USA