Pillowcase and Pillow Sham

The Pillowcase and the Pillow Sham might sound similar and look similar but they serve different purposes. Pillowcases are more functional while pillow shams are less functional but more decorative.

Summary

• The Pillowcase and the Pillow Sham might sound similar and look similar but they serve different purposes.
• A pillowcase (pillow slip) is used to cover the pillow that is used for sleeping and is usually open at one end with no type of closure. Pillow shams are typically made of fancier material and designed to match or compliment your Duvet Cover (Doona), Comforter, Quilt or Coverlet and often have an opening in the middle of their backs with a hidden closure or that closes with an overlapping length of fabric.
• Pillowcases are more functional while pillow shams are less functional but more decorative.

The Pillowcase

The Pillowcase (pillow slip) is used to cover the pillow that is used for sleeping and is usually open at one end with no type of closure and is often made from the same fabric as the bedsheet. The pillowcase is used to protect the pillow from getting soiled or damaged while being used.

Quality pillowcases may include decorative touches, such as embroidery, hemstitching, or coordinating fabrics used for the cuff, but pillowcases tend to be simpler and less decorative than the pillow sham.

Pillowcases are defined by:

• Open at one end
• Contains a flange on opening
• The purpose is to protect the pillow
• Intended for sleeping on

The most common sizes of pillowcases are:

• Standard Pillowcase (20” x 26”)
• Queen Pillowcase (20” x 30”)
• King Pillowcase (20” x 36”)

The Pillow Sham

Pillow shams are typically made of fancier material and designed to match or compliment your Duvet Cover (Doona), Comforter, Quilt or Coverlet and often have an opening in the middle of their backs with a hidden closure or that closes with an overlapping length of fabric.

The pillow sham often has decorative on three or four sides with a flat piece of fabric called a flange. The flange may be decorated with embroidery, ties, buttons or other accents, or it can be plain.

While you could sleep on a pillow sham, they’re really meant to give your bed a more decorative or sophisticated look to your bed and improves your bedroom ambience.

Pillow Shams are defined by the following criteria:

• Typically contains a tuck flap on the back
• All four sides are often finished with flange or cording
• Mainly for decoration
• Sheeting fabric on shams used for sleeping on

The most common sizes of pillow shams are:

• Standard Sham (20” x 26”)
• Queen Sham (20” x 30”)
• King Sham (20” x 36”)
• Euro Sham (26” x 26”)
• Boudoir Sham (12” x 16”)
• Neckroll Sham (6.5” x13”)

Conclusion

The pillowcase is used to sleep on and to protect your pillow and usually matches the bedsheets. The pillow sham is a great accessory and usually matches the duvet cover or coverlet and is decorative to improve the look of your bedroom. They can both add colour and style to your bedroom.