I am adopting some theories as I continue to read suggestions. Thank you sew much for the lovely compliments and great suggestions.
My latest theory is to use half of the pillowcase by cutting it across somewhere above the embroidery, not too short as I am hoping to have them almost a square.. stitch a new seam across the new end...then use the 'mini' pillowcase as an applique to one very large 'backing' piece. I will leave room below each appliqued pillowcase to embroider the name of person who did the embroidery. I will have laid out my appliques and have each one well marked on the backing piece. I plan to do alot of handwork on this quilt by appliqueing them down by hand with silk thread as I did with my Handkerchief quilts. I think that this might work.... thinking out loud here... ;-)
I know it will be larger than the Handkerchief quilts but I think still do-able by hand.
Does this sound feasible?
Thank you sew much for helping me brainstorm this out! I appreciate all your responses! Thank you!!