Pillow shams can add color and comfort to your bed, and they’re so easy to make! Seriously, if you can sew a square, then you can make a pillow sham.
Recently, I found some fabric online to match my now discontinued bedskirt from Pottery Barn. I was so excited because I knew I could use it to make some matching pillow shams for our bed! But you could use any fabric you want to make shams, so the possibilities are endless. You can make a custom look for your bedroom for the cost of a couple yards of fabric.
Here’s how to do it:
Select the fabric you want to use – you’ll need 2 yards per sham (add more if you are using a really large-scaled pattern). Each sham, when finished, will measure 30″ wide x 24″ tall.
Pre-wash and iron the fabric, if needed.
On a flat surface, lay out your fabric and decide what part of the pattern you want to center. If you are using a solid color, you don’t have to worry about this.
Once you have this determined, and keeping the part of the pattern you’ve selected in the center, measure out a rectangle that is 31″ to 32″ wide and 25″ to 26″ tall. This will be the front of your sham, and the overrage allows for your hems.
For the back, you can center the pattern, but it’s not really going to matter as much because the envelope closure will overlap in the center on the back. You’ll need to cut a rectangle that is 36″ to 37″ wide and 25″ to 26″ tall. The extra width will allow for your hems as well as a 2″ to 3″ overlap for the envelope closure.
Once you have the 37″ x 26″ rectangle cut out, fold it in half across the width and cut it in half so you end up with two smaller rectangles that are 18″ to 18.5″ wide and 25″ to 26″ tall.
We’re going to work on these back pieces first.
Take the edge you just cut (25″ to 26″ tall), then fold and iron over approximately 1/2″ of the fabric (from the front side of the fabric to the back) to form the hem.
Do this on both of the smaller rectangles that will form the back of the sham, but only on the edges that are going to overlap for the envelope closure. Now, sew the hem down making sure to back-stitch at the beginning and end of the run. Do not sew any other side just yet.
Now that you have those edges hemmed, we’re ready to start sewing the sham together. Lay the front of the sham fabric face up, and then lay the two back pieces on top, fabric face down. Line up the outside edges, and make sure the back pieces are overlapped about 2″ or so. Make sure the “good” sides of the fabric are all faced inward toward each other.
Pin all of this into place, and then sew around the entire sham edges, with about a 1/2″ hem (make sure to back-stitch at the beginning and end).
With the front and back pieces all sewn together, turn the sham out so that the “good” side of the fabric is facing outwards. Back to the iron! Iron the sham edges so everything is straight and flat.
Measure 3″ from the edges inward – this will be the flange around the sham. Using pins, mark or pin around your sham the 3″ in for the flange – creating a little rectange that will be 24″ wide x 18″ tall.
Once this is finished, you’re ready to sew. Sew along your pins or marks, three inches from the outside edge, following the shape of your sham. Do not sew all the way to or from the edges of the sham – make sure you start sewing 3″ into your sham.
Guess what?? You’re done!
Put a standard sized bed pillow into your sham, and pat yourself on the back. Pour yourself a glass of wine (if you like) and admire your handiwork!
*all images from author’s personal collection.
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Twitter: @emilyj82
I’ve been meaning to make some shams for our bed. Thanks for the tutorial!
.-= Emily’s most recent blog post: Rothenburg ob der Tauber- Germany part 2 =-.
Twitter: @LibertyImages
I need to make some for our guestroom and appreciate the tutorial too. Also, this is a great project for beginning sewers….!
.-= Jen’s most recent blog post: classic orange T-bird 8×10 fine art photograph – Gills =-.
When I got my sewing machine in January, I kept telling myself I’d make my own shams. Thanks for great step-by-step on how to do it. Now, I just need to bust out my machine :)
.-= Anne K’s most recent blog post: Myles Report 1 Year =-.
now that i now to create pillow shams from now on i will be
making my own ….
thank you sooo much
loved your tutorial and set to work on a sham for my daughter’s new “big girl room”. i’d made a quilt for her, so decided to make the sham with leftover strips from the quilt. unfortunately, although i followed your directions to the letter, the sham is way too huge (top to bottom) for a standard pillow. it fits perfectly side to side. any suggestions as to how to easily size this thing down without ripping out all of the seams?
Sorry about that! It sounds like you could take out just the seams at the top and bottom of the pillow – the ones that frame or case in the actual pillow insert – and re sew them. I would measure your pillow first, and then make the height equal to that. Also, make sure to overlap the side seams that you are leaving in a little bit so they don’t fray. With a good seam ripper, it shouldn’t take you too long.
Thank you for the simple, clear instructions. I now have beautiful, one of a kind shams. Love them. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
[...] I bought yesterday. I did a little googling on how to make shams and followed the tutorial on this blog. I ended up not having enough of the fabric to make the little ruffles around the edge so I just [...]
thanks for this info! i looked everywhere, and this was the most clear site on how to make them! i’m going to try out your table slip cover next, it would make my living room much prettier and cleaner!
What a great tutorial! I’m making these today!
I wanted to print just the directions, do not need the photos, but it is difficult to copy. Could the directions be put at the end, all together, so just hat part can be copied? Thanks, the directions look very easy. I do know how to sew.
Twitter: @N/A
You & this website are an answer to my prayers!!
I was needing some pillows, as the ones I have, have gotten flat & very uncomfortable through the years.
TY for sharing this through the instructable website. This will guide me to make 1 or more pillows for my bed.TY Ma’am, & may Allah Bless you & yours .
Just finished two beautiful pillow shams by following your instructions to the letter! They are beautiful, were easy to make and your directions are perfect! Thanks so much for the great guide!
I am making a quilt for my daughter and wanted the same design on Pillow Shams. I’m excited about making these, thank you so much! JAC
Super cute, thanks for sharing. I’m going to look for fabric tommorrow!
thanks for sharing!!!
I just finished a pair following your instructions. Your instructions were very easy to follow. I have one problem. The opening on the back gapes and won’t stay closed. Any suggestions? Thanks.
I want to express my gratitude for your pillow instructions, especially the photos…so helpfull!!
whoah this weblog is magnificent i like reading your posts.
Stay up the good work! You recognize, a lot of people are looking around for this info, you could help
them greatly.
I have been thinking of sewing a few pillow shams and was searching for an easy to follow tute in google .. luckily came across your site.. its really helpful.. cant wait to start sewing.. Thanks for sharing :)….Mini
Great easy to follow instructions. To make the bed more luxurious, we always use a pillow that is a size larger than the sham, e.g. use a queen pillow for a standard size sham. Buy inexpensive pillows and leave them in the sham, this makes it easier when putting the beds back together especially in several guest rooms if you have more than one overnight guest at a time. We learned this trick at a high end furniture store when shopping for bedroom furniture.
Your tutorial was so wonderful and easy to follow. I am an experienced sewer- but as I get older sometimes the new directions don’t always make sense to me. Thannks so much for your help!
I need to make kingsize shams. I am assuming your measurements are for a full size bed only.
What measurements would I need for cutting?
[...] offer nice pillow forms. Do you have serviceable pillows you could recover? Or do you want a pillow sham that you can stuff with extra linens or clothes? The captain requested one pillow cover for [...]