What Is a Bedding Sham?
Bedding shams are decorative covers for pillows that sit on a bed. They are found in the bedding section of stores and are often sold as part of a bedding set. They add a finished look to a made up bed and are meant to coordinate with a bedspread, duvet cover, or comforter. Bedding shams are an important accessory to consider when decorating a bedroom. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Facts
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The terms bedding sham and pillowcase are often confused. Both are designed to cover bed pillows, but their purposes are different. Pillowcases are functional and used for sleeping, and bedding shams are used only for decoration. Bedding shams and pillowcases are designed to fit over the four common sizes of sleeping pillows, which are standard, queen, king and European.
Size
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Standard-sized sleeping pillows measure 26 inches long by 20 inches high. Queen-sized sleeping pillows measure 30 inches long by 20 inches high. King-sized sleeping pillows measure 36 inches long by 20 inches high. European-sized sleeping pillows measure 27 inches square. Bedding shams are designed to fit these four sizes of sleeping pillows and are identified by the same standard, queen, king or European sizes. If you don't know what size pillows or bedding shams you have, simply measure their length and height and match them up based on the sizes listed.
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Identification
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Because bedding shams and pillowcases are often confused, it is important to understand some key differences between the two. A pillowcase is sewn shut on three edges, and the open edge is where the pillow slides in and out. A bedding sham is sewn shut on all four edges and has an opening with an enclosure where the pillow is inserted. Bedding sham enclosures can be a small slit in the middle back of the sham, buttons on the side or a zipper on the bottom. Smooth, machine-washable fabrics are always used for pillowcases as they are meant for sleeping. Because bedding shams are only decorative, they may be constructed of any fabric and be quilted, embellished or embroidered.
Styles
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Bedding shams can be purchased or made in a variety of styles. One common style of bedding sham has a simple, symmetrical flange. A flange is a flat piece of fabric that extends beyond the edge of a pillow on all four sides. This style of sham is appropriate for modern or traditional decor. A very modern style of bedding sham often has a knife edge detail on the four side seams. This means there is no extra fabric or decoration along the perimeter of the sham, creating a minimalist look.
Considerations
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Bedding shams add decoration and style to your bed and bedroom. Shams are easy to change, so consider having several different sets on hand. You can change your bedroom's look for a holiday, season or even every week. Bedding shams are available to fit every budget and style. You can purchase them, have them made or make them yourself. If you find it difficult to coordinate fabrics or sizes, consider purchasing a bedding set that already includes decorative bedding shams. One tip for a great-looking bed is to remove your sleeping pillows to a closet or cabinet when you make the bed. Use only the pillows covered in decorative shams to make the bed. This will give your bed and bedroom a more polished look.
Warning
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Bedding shams may not look good when covering foam or other rigid types of pillows. These pillows will not fill out the bedding sham sufficiently and will look lumpy or misshapen.
Not all bedding shams are constructed of machine-washable fabrics. Check the label for washing instructions.
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