What a Pillow Sham Is and Why You'd Make One
A pillow sham is a decorative fabric cover that slides over a pillow like an envelope. Unlike a pillowcase, which you wash regularly, a sham stays on for appearance and protects the pillow underneath from dust and wear. You make one by sewing two pieces of fabric together, leaving an opening to insert the pillow, then closing that opening by hand or machine.
Sewn shams let you match your bedding, change your look without buying new pillows, and use fabric you already have. A basic sham takes two to three hours for a beginner, uses a standard sewing machine, and costs between five and fifteen dollars in fabric depending on what you choose.
Key Takeaways
- A pillow sham is two rectangles of fabric sewn together with the seams on the inside, leaving one side open for the pillow to slide through.
- You need fabric, thread, a sewing machine, scissors, pins, and a measuring tape — most people already own these or can borrow them.
- The opening can be closed with a ladder stitch by hand for an invisible seam, or you can sew it shut on the machine and accept a visible line.
- Standard bed pillows are 20 by 26 inches, but measure your actual pillow before cutting fabric to account for seam allowance and fit.
Measuring Your Pillow and Cutting Fabric
Measure the length and width of the pillow you want to cover. A standard bed pillow is 20 by 26 inches, but yours may differ. Write down both numbers. Add one inch to each measurement — half an inch on each side for the seam allowance, which is the space between the edge of the fabric and the line where you sew.
Cut two rectangles of fabric to that size. If your pillow is 20 by 26 inches, cut two pieces that are 21 by 27 inches. Use a rotary cutter and ruler for straight edges, or mark the lines with chalk and cut with scissors. Lay the fabric flat on a table or cutting mat so the pieces don't shift while you cut.
Press both pieces with an iron on medium heat to remove wrinkles. Wrinkled fabric is harder to pin and sew in a straight line.
Pinning and Sewing Three Sides
Place the two fabric rectangles with the right sides facing each other — the pretty sides should touch, and the back sides should face out. This is the most common mistake: beginners often sew with the right sides facing out, which puts the seams on the outside where they show.
Pin three sides of the rectangle together, leaving one short end unpinned. This unpinned end is where the pillow will slide in. Space pins about four inches apart, pushing them straight through both layers so they hold the fabric flat.
Sew along the three pinned sides using a straight stitch on your machine. Set the stitch length to 2.5 millimeters — a standard setting on most machines. Sew a quarter inch from the edge of the fabric, which is the standard seam allowance. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam by pressing the reverse button for three or four stitches. This locks the thread so it won't unravel.
Remove the pins as you sew or just before you reach them. Sewing over a pin can break your needle.
Turning the Sham Right-Side Out and Inserting the Pillow
Cut the corners diagonally, about a quarter inch from the seam. This step, called clipping corners, lets the fabric fold flat at the corners instead of bunching up when you turn the sham inside out.
Reach into the open end and grab the fabric from the inside. Pull the whole sham through the opening so the right sides now face out and the seams are hidden inside. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to push the corners out from the inside so they form sharp points.
Press the sham flat with an iron, paying special attention to the edges and the open end. Fold the raw edges of the opening inward by half an inch and press them too. This creates a clean line for the final seam.
Slide the pillow through the opening. It should fit snugly but not so tight that you have to force it.
Closing the Opening: Ladder Stitch or Machine Stitch
You have two options for closing the opening. The ladder stitch is sewn by hand and creates an invisible seam that looks professionally finished. The machine stitch is faster but leaves a visible line of thread along the opening.
For the ladder stitch, thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric. Tie a knot at the end. Bring the needle up through the fold of fabric on one side of the opening, so the knot stays hidden inside. Move across to the opposite side and insert the needle directly across from where you came out. Slide the needle inside the fold for about half an inch, then bring it back out. Return to the first side and repeat, moving the needle in and out of the folds in a ladder pattern. Every few stitches, gently pull the thread to close the opening. When you reach the end, tie off the thread inside the fold and trim it.
For the machine stitch, fold the opening edges inward as described above, pin them closed, and sew along the edge using a straight stitch. This is faster but the seam will be visible from the outside.
Finishing Touches and Care
Once the opening is closed, press the sham one more time with an iron to set all the seams and remove any wrinkles from handling. The sham is now ready to use.
Wash your sham in cool water on a gentle cycle and dry it on low heat or hang it to dry. If you used a natural fabric like cotton or linen, washing before the first use helps prevent shrinking later. Check the thread color after the first wash — if it fades, use a different thread color next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sew a pillow sham without a sewing machine?
Yes. Use a needle and thread to sew the three sides with a running stitch or backstitch, keeping stitches small and close together for strength. It takes longer — usually four to six hours — but the result is the same. Use the ladder stitch to close the opening so the seam is invisible.
What fabric works best for a pillow sham?
Cotton, linen, and cotton blends are easiest to sew and durable for regular use. Avoid stretchy fabrics like jersey or knit until you have more experience, because they shift while you sew. Heavier fabrics like canvas or upholstery cotton hold their shape better than thin fabrics.
What if my pillow is an odd size?
Measure your pillow's length and width, add one inch total for seam allowance, and cut your fabric to those dimensions. The steps stay the same whether your pillow is square, rectangular, or a body pillow.
Do I have to use a quarter-inch seam allowance?
A quarter inch is standard and gives you a strong seam with room to trim without cutting into stitches. If you sew closer to the edge, the seam is weaker. If you sew farther out, you waste fabric and the sham may be too loose.
Can I add trim or ruffles to the edges?
Yes. Pin trim or a ruffle between the two fabric layers before sewing, so the decorative edge faces outward when you turn the sham right-side out. Sew through all layers together. This adds visual interest but increases the time and fabric cost.