Pillowcases vs. Pillow Shams

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear is “please explain the difference between a Pillowcase and a Pillow sham.”

Actually, there isn’t a lot a difference between these popular bedding products.

Although many people think of a pillow sham as just a decorative accent, most pillow shams are perfectly fine to sleep on, assuming they are made of a sheet-type fabric.

Pillow Shams can be more decorative – the non-sleep on type of sham is often made of fabric that is textured, beaded or corded so they would not be suitable to sleep on.

Shams that are made of a sheet-weight fabric are typically finished with a decorative flange found on all 4 sides of the cover. This flange serves no other purpose than decoration. A bed made with shams simply looks a little more finished than a pillowcase.

Shams typically open on the backside. Better-constructed pillow shams have additional fabric providing a tuck that hides the edge of the pillow insert.

Pillow shams come in a variety of sizes, the most common are:

• Boudoir - (12” x 16”)
• Standard - (20” x 26”)
• Queen – but rarely found, sold or used (20” x 30”)
• King – (20” x 36”)
• Euro – (26” x 26”)

Pillowcases on the other hand, are:

Always intended to sleep on, are open at one end and have a flange or cuff at the opening end.

Their primary purpose is to protect the sleeping pillow from becoming soiled and provide a better/softer fabric than found on pillow ticking or shells.

Pillowcase sizes are as follows:

• Standard - (20” x 26”)
• Queen – Again, rarely found, sold or used (20” x 30”)

Many assume that if they have a queen-size bed, their sleeping pillows are queen size. This is not the case; many linen manufacturers do not make queen size pillowcases. At Vero – our standard pillowcases are long enough to accommodate either a standard or queen sleeping pillow.

• King – (20” x 36”)

King pillowcases are popular, but we have found over the years that many prefer not to sleep with a king-size pillow as people find them too long and difficult to maneuver while tossing and turning.

If you are considering using standard size sleeping pillows on a king bed, 3 fit across the bed perfectly.

Decorative pillows come in a variety of different sizes, textures and shapes.

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