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 sleep on directly, a sham sits on top of your bed as part of the décor and protects a nicer pillow underneath. You make one by sewing two fabric rectangles together on three sides, turning it right-side out, inserting the pillow, and closing the opening with a ladder stitch or by folding the raw edges inward and topstitching them shut.
Shams are worth making yourself because you can choose any fabric, add trim or piping, and size them exactly to your pillow. A store-bought sham costs $20 to $60; fabric and thread for a homemade one run $8 to $15. The sewing takes about an hour once you have your fabric cut.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two fabric rectangles 1 inch larger than your pillow on all sides, then add another 1/2 inch for seam allowance on each edge.
- Pin the two pieces right sides together, sew three sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, and leave one short end open for turning and inserting the pillow.
- Trim the corners diagonally before turning the sham right-side out so the corners lie flat and sharp instead of bunched.
- Close the opening with a ladder stitch (invisible from the outside) or by folding raw edges inward and topstitching 1/4 inch from the fold.
Measuring Your Pillow and Cutting Fabric
Measure your pillow's length and width with a soft tape measure, measuring the actual pillow itself, not the case it came in. Write down both numbers. A standard bed pillow is usually 20 inches by 26 inches; a square decorative pillow might be 16 by 16 inches or 18 by 18 inches.
Add 1 inch to both the length and width (this is the finished sham size, which will fit snugly over the pillow). Then add another 1/2 inch to all sides for the seam allowance. For example, a 20-by-26-inch pillow becomes 21-by-27 inches finished, then 22-by-28 inches for cutting. Cut two rectangles this size from your fabric. If your fabric has a pattern or nap (like velvet, where the pile runs one direction), cut both pieces in the same direction so they match when sewn.
Pinning and Sewing Three Sides
Lay one fabric rectangle on your work surface with the right side (the pretty side) facing up. Place the second rectangle on top of it, right side down, so the two right sides are facing each other and the wrong sides face outward. This is called "right sides together." Pin around all four edges, placing pins every 3 to 4 inches perpendicular to the edge.
Thread your sewing machine with thread that matches your fabric or blends in. Set the stitch length to 2.5 (a standard stitch length). Starting at one corner, sew along one long side with a 1/2-inch seam allowance—that is, the needle should run 1/2 inch from the raw edge. Sew all the way to the corner, then pivot by leaving the needle down, lifting the presser foot, turning the fabric 90 degrees, and lowering the presser foot again. Sew the next side the same way.
Continue around three full sides. On the fourth side (usually a short end), sew only 2 to 3 inches from each corner, leaving a 4- to 6-inch opening in the middle. This opening is where you will turn the sham right-side out and insert the pillow. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread.
Trimming Corners and Turning Right-Side Out
Before you turn the sham, trim the seam allowance at the four corners. Using scissors, cut diagonally across each corner, cutting away the triangle of fabric about 1/4 inch from the stitching line. Do not cut into the stitches themselves. This step removes bulk so the corners will be sharp and square when you turn the sham over, instead of lumpy.
Reach into the opening and grab one corner from the inside. Pull it outward to turn the sham right-side out. Work slowly and use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to push the corners out fully from the inside. Once the sham is turned, press it flat with an iron on medium heat, paying special attention to the seams and the opening edges. Fold the raw edges of the opening inward by 1/2 inch and press them as well.
Inserting the Pillow and Closing the Opening
Slide your pillow into the sham through the opening. Arrange it so it sits evenly inside with no bunching. The pillow should fill the sham snugly but not strain the seams.
You have two ways to close the opening. The ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch) is invisible from the outside. Thread a needle with thread matching your fabric. Knot the end. Bring the needle up through the fold of fabric on one side of the opening, then slide it horizontally inside the fold for about 1/4 inch and bring it back out. Cross to the opposite side and repeat, going in and out of the fold. After every three or four stitches, pull the thread gently to close the opening. The stitches will disappear inside the fold. Finish with a knot buried inside the fold.
The second method is a topstitch, which is visible but faster. Fold both raw edges inward by 1/2 inch so they meet in the middle of the opening, and pin them closed. Sew 1/4 inch from the fold all the way across the opening using a straight stitch. This creates a line of stitching that frames the seam and holds the opening shut.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most common error is cutting the opening too small. A 4- to 6-inch opening is the minimum; if you try to squeeze a pillow through a 2-inch gap, you will stretch the fabric and risk tearing it. If your opening is too small, use a seam ripper to carefully cut it larger before inserting the pillow.
Another mistake is forgetting to trim the corners before turning. Untrimmed corners will poke out and look sloppy no matter how carefully you press. If you have already turned the sham and notice this, you can use a seam ripper to carefully open a small section of one seam, trim the corner from the inside, and restitch it closed.
Uneven seams happen when you do not backstitch at the start and end of each side. Always backstitch two or three stitches in place before moving forward, and again when you reach a corner or the end of a seam. This locks the thread so it will not unravel.
Adding Trim, Piping, or Decorative Details
Once you are comfortable with the basic sham, you can add visual interest. Piping (a thin cord wrapped in fabric) sewn into the seam creates a professional edge. Buy pre-made piping by the yard at a fabric store. When you pin your two fabric rectangles together, also pin the piping along the edges so the cord sits exactly on the seam line. Sew as usual; the piping will be caught in the seam and will frame the sham's edge.
You can also sew lace, ribbon, or contrasting fabric strips to the front of the sham before you sew the two rectangles together. Topstitch these details to the right side of one rectangle, then proceed with pinning and sewing as normal. The details will end up on the outside of the finished sham.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a sham without a sewing machine?
Yes, but it takes much longer. Use a needle and thread to sew a running stitch (in and out of the fabric in a straight line) with stitches about 1/8 inch apart. A hand-sewn sham takes 3 to 4 hours instead of 1 hour. The seams will be less even than machine-sewn ones, but they will hold just as well if you backstitch every few stitches.
What fabric works best for pillow shams?
Cotton, linen, and cotton blends are easiest to sew and wear well. Avoid very stretchy fabrics like jersey or lycra unless you have experience, because they slip under the presser foot. Velvet and corduroy are beautiful but require careful handling because the nap runs one direction. Avoid very thick fabrics like upholstery weight unless your machine can handle them.
Do I have to use a ladder stitch to close the opening?
No. A topstitch is faster and just as strong. The ladder stitch is invisible, which some people prefer for a cleaner look, but a topstitch is a design feature on many shams and looks intentional. Choose whichever you prefer.
What if my pillow is an odd size?
Measure it and follow the same formula: finished sham size is pillow length plus 1 inch, plus 1/2 inch seam allowance on each side. A 12-by-20-inch pillow becomes 13-by-21 inches finished, then 14-by-22 inches for cutting. The sewing steps stay the same.
Can I wash a pillow sham I made?
Yes. Wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle with similar colors, and tumble dry on low heat or air dry. If you used piping or trim, check the care instructions for those materials first. Wash before the first use to pre-shrink the fabric.