You have to pick things up as you go into adulthood, which can be very difficult. Do you know what is a bed sham? You’re not alone, so relax. Below will give you steps on how to make your own bed sham, types of bed sham, and FAQs.
A bed sham is a decorative pillowcase that is used to add some aesthetic variety to the bedroom. Bed shams are typically used on accent pillows that are taken off the bed at night.
Read on to discover more.
How to Make Your Own Bed Sham?
A bed sham is simple to make by yourself. All you need to do it is have a little bit of sewing talent, good fabric, and vision. Any material should work, but fabrics that are on the thicker side and have some body are typically best to use (especially if you plan to use it for the edge as well, as thicker materials will stand up better).
Materials & Supplies You’ll Need:
- Fabric
- Fabric is required for the front, the back, and the flanges. They can be the same or different.
- Matching thread
- Pins
- A ruler
- Scissors
Step One: Cut the Fabric to Fit Your Pillow
You can use the measurements listed above as a guide or take a self-measurement. Increase the size of your flanges for a more substantial appearance. The design is entirely up to you; you can make them big, small, or not exist at all. Once you have all of your pieces, split the back piece in half to create the opening.
Step Two: Assemble Your Sham
Begin by taking your front-facing pillow panel and face it front side up. Next, atop the front panel, place the back panels, front side down. The edges should all be straight. About 8 to 10 inches should be overlapped by the back panels.
Step Three: Sew, Sew Sew!
Sew up your bed sham all around the edges. Simply flip the sham inside out through the envelope opening at the back when you’re finished.
Step Four: Flanges
Only if you want the surrounding flanges is this step required. Simply sew another border down two inches into your bed sham. When cutting your fabric, be sure to measure out the additional inches in advance.
Step Five: Insert Your Pillow
Now, the bed sham is ready to throw it on your bed and enjoy!
Types of Bed Shams
Below are the types of shams:
King Shams
A king sham is an extra-large bed sham that is about 36 inches by 20 inches. These are designed to fit king size pillows. King and California king size beds work best with king and California king size shams due to their wide dimensions. On a smaller bed, such as a queen or a full, some individuals might prefer to use a single decorative king sham pillow.
Queen Shams
The common queen pillow is designed to fit queen shams, which are roughly 30 by 20 inches. Two queen size sham pillows will fit snugly across the width of a queen mattress.
Standard Shams
The smallest size, a standard sham, is roughly 26 inches by 20 inches. These fit standard size pillows and are best suited for twin beds. A full or queen bed can also accommodate two standard sham pillows placed side by side.
Euro Shams
Euro shams, also called European or continental shams, are roughly 26 inches by 26 inches in size. These fit pillows made in the European style, which are square rather than rectangular. With pillows positioned upright directly behind the pillows you sleep on and this type of bed sham, the bed will appear fuller and more opulent.
Where Does the Sham Go on the Bed?
‘Many people use pillowcases for their main pillows for sleeping and pillow shams for the decorative pillows they place in front of the bed to style it, according to Stephen. The mattress and bedding expert observes that bed shams, also known as pillow shams, are frequently arranged to hide the standard sleeping pillows. As seen above, they frequently go on top of the comforter and other bedding rather than inside the covers.
Personal preference will determine whether the shams are stacked on top of a sleeping pillow or stacked one in front of the other. Although it does require taking them off before bed and finding somewhere to put them, extra pillows always give a bed a more finished appearance. You might be wondering what or who the extra pillows are for if they are not for sleeping on.
Do People Sleep on Bed Shams?
‘Many people take out the decorative pillows with shams before going to bed so they have more room to sleep, according to Stephen. ‘Although it might feel a little crowded, you can sleep with them on the bed.’ You’ll sleep better if you use a silk, linen, or cotton pillowcase instead of a bed sham that has texture or frills because they are likely to be less comfortable on the skin.
A pillow sham can transform a standard pillow into a more decorative accent that can be changed back into a more practical pillow as needed, unlike a throw pillow, which is solely for aesthetic purposes.
FAQs
What is the Difference Between a Sham and a Pillowcase?
Both types of covers are used for pillows, but pillowcases serve a more practical purpose than shams. The pillowcase keeps your pillow clean by protecting it from dust, dirt, and indoor allergens. Like a pillowcase, a sham also protects your pillow, but its primary purpose is decorative. It might not be as comfortable to sleep on because the fabrics used to make it aren’t as breathable as those used to make pillowcases.
Do You Need Pillow Shams?
A pillow sham is required if you want to use your standard-size sleeping pillow as a decorative item. A pillowcase will do if you don’t care much about how your bed looks.
Because they feature sequins, buttons, or lace, some pillow shams might not be soft enough to rest your head on. Pillows covered in shams are typically taken off the bed before sleep and put back there when awake.
Do Shams Go in Front Or Back of the Sleeping Pillows?
Your personal preference will determine how you feel about this. Shams can be positioned in front for decoration, up against the headboard to act as a backdrop for your pillows while you sleep. Some may even switch up how their pillows are arranged throughout the day to better suit their present needs.
Are King Pillows Too Big for a Queen Bed?
A queen bed can accommodate one king-sized pillow without issue, but it will be challenging to fit two of these pillows side by side. There won’t be any space between them because of how they’ll overlap. Due to the length of a king pillow, which is 36 inches, a 78-inch-wide bed is required to accommodate two king pillows side by side. A queen bed is only 60 inches wide.
How Many Pillows Should Be on a Bed?
This is dependent upon the size of the bed and the pillows. Typically, a queen size bed can accommodate two pillows, two shams, and two to three accent pillows that are smaller. The number of pillows may be increased in a king or California king, but it’s better to limit your pillows between 10-12 to avoid clutter.
Are My Shams Machine Washable?
What they are made of and how they are decorated will determine that. Shams without delicate decorative elements like lace or fringe that are made of machine-washable synthetic or natural fibers should be safe to wash in the machine. In the event that your sham doesn’t fit this description, you might want to hand wash or dry clean it.
Before putting your pillow shams in the washing machine, just like with all sheets and other bedding, look at the tags. Not only will the care label state whether the pillows are machine washable, but it will also specify the ideal washing temperature and cycle.
The fact that sham pillows require relatively little washing is one of their many advantages. You can get away with washing shams more frequently than your comforter or duvet cover because you don’t sleep on them.
Summary: What is a Bed Sham?
By transforming ordinary pillows into attention-grabbing accents, bed shams are an excellent way to add personality to your bedroom or living room. They may not be as functional as your standard pillowcase, but they provide an aesthetic flair to help tie your room’s design together. Remember, fashion is a function, as it will make your house feel like a home with a style that expresses your personality.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best home improvement information. Don’t forget to share the post. Thank you for reading.
You may want to know:
