ALL ABOUT PILLOW SHAMS

Pillow Shams! A pretty way to dress-up an old pillow, create a new look for your bedroom or change the entire decor of any room in your home. More about that later........

 Shams come in many styles and sizes!

STANDARD: A standard sized sham is 20" x 26" (Rectangle) fits a Regular sized bed pillow

KING: A longer sham 20" x 36" (Rectangle) fits a King sized bed pillow

EURO: A Euro sham is generally 26" x 26" (Square) which fits a large EURO pillow. But, the European sham can actually be any size, as the term "EUROPEAN SHAM" simply means a Square sham with an overlap flap on the back. Though my smaller shams are only 14" Square, they are actually Euro shams.

It would seem that's all you need to know, but that isn't always so............

EDGES: Shams also come with a variety of "looks" around the outer edge

FLANGED EDGE: A flanged edge is the extra fabric around the outside edge of the pillow sham which is usually not included in the actual sham measurements. There is a straight edge, which lays flat but is excess fabric which dresses-up the sham. It can be 3" wide or 1/2" wide (as in the smaller shams that I make for throw pillows.) To me, this flanged edge gives the sham a more "finished" appearance and helps hold the shams shape once the pillow is inserted.

A flanged edge can be straight, or scalloped or ruffled (with the edge actually gathered around the outside edge of the sham) For the shabby or chic or cottage decor, you'll most often find the ruffled edge, usually with gorgeous pink and white fabrics and lots of cabbage roses.

Corded Edge

Straight-edge flange

Ruffled flange

OPENING: Seems self-explanatory, but there are many ways to get the pillow inside the sham. Some shams have an open-end and slip right onto the pillow, much like a pillow case. The end can remain open or closed with a zipper. A few of Ralph Lauren's shams have decorative buttons on the front and the pillow is inserted from the front of the sham. Most shams have an over-lap flap in the back. This is the way my smaller throw pillow shams are made, and is also called an European opening.

Some very pretty pillows are actually a sham in disguise. The actual pillow slips inside a carefully crafted sham and a concealed zipper near the bottom creates the crisp/clean lines of a designer pillow, yet a convenient way to launder a pretty pillow, also.

STUFFING: Pillow shams are made for Pillows! Well, not necessarily........I have a frequent customer who has told me that each time she purchases new shams, she also purchases a small bag of fiberfill. When her shams arrive, she stuffs in the fiberfill (bag and all!) Now that's a creative pillow-insert. It costs less than an insert and who knows the difference? Shhhhhhhh.....I will never tell!

Generally, you can use a pillow that you already have. If it isn't the correct size, you can purchase a pillow insert at most fabric stores such as Joann's or Hancock's Fabric, or at Wal-Mart in the fabric department. They come in standard sizes: 12" Square, 14" Square, 16" and 18". You can also purchase inserts for oblong pillows and the round Neckroll pillows. If all else fails and you have an odd shaped sham, you can sew two pieces of fabric together, stuff with fiberfill and stitch it closed. Voila! You've made your very own pillow insert.

Of course, the cost of inserts can vary as well. From a few dollars for polyester fiberfill, to slightly more expensive goose down or feathers. It's really up to you!

DECORATING: Decorating with shams is so much fun! They aren't just for the bedroom anymore! I couldn't even count the number of pillow inserts in my home. It's so easy to change the entire "look" of a room.

When you tire of a certain "look," simply change all the shams! You don't have the expense of purchasing brand new pillows or searching for a closet large enough to store the old ones.

Create a gorgeous bedroom with many shams! Mix and match fabrics from the same collection.

When you purchase new kitchen curtains, always buy an extra one. Create a breakfast nook with contrasting pillows!

You can even purchase the bean-bag inserts now, so create some shams for the family room!

Shams are great for outdoor pillows! Use a nice canvas, it's easy to clean and lasts a long time in spite of the weather!

A quick view of the various sizes!

HAVE FUN DECORATING WITH PILLOW SHAMS!