Over the past few months, I’ve started falling in love with the Euro sham all over again. We’ve had a love/hate relationship for many years, since the edges of the shams always looked so sloppy when I put them over a Euro insert.
But here’s the thing: I’ve been doing it wrong all along.
Do you notice the difference in the above picture of my daughter, Emma’s, bed? On the left, you have the big square pillow with crisp edges. On the right, you have the big square pillow with floppy edges and extra fabric at the bottom that I have to tuck underneath the pillow.
Let’s take a closer look. Right:
And left:
The secret, y’all, is two-fold. First, and most importantly, is insert pillow size. While the Euro sham traditionally measures 26 x 26 inches, a 26 x 26 pillow form won’t cut it. I don’t understand why the seemingly right size pillow doesn’t fit correctly into the sham, but it doesn’t. You need to find a Euro pillow form that is 28 x 28 inches to completely fill the sham.
Secondly, the fill of the pillow matters, too (although it’s not as important in having the correct size insert). I prefer a down or feather insert in my shams over a poly or cotton fiber fill. The down/feather pillows aren’t as stiff, which allows you to “karate chop” the top of them if you like. You can also fluff the pillows more easily and move the fill around so that it reaches the edges and fills out the sham.
Down alternative is an option if you have a down allergy, but make sure you can chop them! You can order down alternative Euro forms – they are hypo-allergenic and chopable.
The result is a nicely fitted, non-loosey goosey sham. I use these on my bed, too. My general rule is 3 on a king, 2 on a full/queen and 1 on a twin.
But here’s the kicker: 28 x 28 inserts can be tough to find locally. They don’t sell them at your traditional places like Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens ‘n Things, Walmart or Target. You may be able to find them at retailers like TJMaxx, HomeGoods and Marshall’s, but you never really know what they will have in stock. I have been lucky to find mine at Tuesday Morning ($14.99 for a feather fill), but I don’t know if they always have them or if they have them at every location. You can follow Mandi’s lead and take ugly covers off of clearance pillows.
You obviously have more options online. Definitely check Amazon for good prices on 28 x 28 Euro pillow inserts!
So, what do you think? Do you have a frumpy Euro sham problem, too?
Hallelujah and thank you Lindsay! Phew, what a relief to get this awesome feedback at a time when I am planning on re-introducing the euro pillow back onto our bed! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your input and advice. I’ve been going round in circles and agonizing over sizes and trying to get the right look for our bed. Like yourself, it’s never worked for me in the past, so now that I’m armed with all your valuable info, our bed is going to be transformed! Woo hoo! I am also grateful that you mentioned bed sizes because the number of euro pillows on a kingsize bed has always got me flummoxed. Do you have any suggestions on placement? I tend to put the euros upright against the headboard, then layer the normal ones in front. However, the gap left in the middle really has me tearing my hair out! Help desperately need here!! 😉 Cheers and thx heaps, heather x
You sound just like me, Heather! LOL! I think I was able to cover the placement in my bedding formula post (http://makelyhome.com/bedding-formula/). If you play with that and you run into questions, let me know! 😀
Hi
I love the story of not fitting! I have that same issue though with king Shams / king pillow still leaving extra room thus baggy and these tie in cute knots / bows on the end but there is all of this open baggy on that end that it just looks ridiculous. All I can ever find or know that would fit in a king pillow sham is a king pillow! I want it to be tight fitting if that makes sense?
Thank you if any ideas
the only other thing to consider is how geese suffer so you can have down pillows. Yes, they are gorgeous and comfy, but gees endure horrible treatment. I’m not going to offer any links to articles. You can do the research, I’m sure.
Thank you for your comment
I’ve seen the larger pillow forms at Joann. They’re not very down-like though. I don’t like the karate-chop thing though. It’s what my pillows look like after my dog sleeps on the top of them!
HA!
Yes, it is. Little dachshund top of the pillow habits! Lol
I do not like droopy shams, either. I like them to stand up square and for lack of a better word, look more stiff. They are the backdrop for other decorative throw pillows or standard shams on my bedding. That’s the only place I use the 26×26 euro, though. Happy decorating, ladies!
Hilde, I am totally with you on the karate chop. I want my pillows to be fluffed and have been buying oversized inserts for years. How/where/when did this whole thing with a dent in the top of the pillow start? We need someone to blame! ;D
Funny…it’s really a matter of preference!
Probably came from the same design professionals who hang flat screens over a fireplace. Ugh!
This piece was a lijkeaceft that saved me from drowning.
Thank you for this info! I’ve never had euro pillows and didn’t know to buy a size bigger. I definitely would have been disappointed with floppy dog-eared pillows!
I bought two inserts but now I am having trouble finding a pillowcase cover that isn’t in the $30 range. Do you have any suggestions where to look?
Hi Cheryl! Have you tried looking on Amazon? I don’t know what color you are looking for, but I just found these plain white ones for $10 each: http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Ideas-Tailored-Poplin-Pillow/dp/B002X79Y5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418415562&sr=8-1&keywords=euro+sham&tag=digitalca0daa06-20
Thanks alot
Great photos Sandra. They look like something out of a magazine. Plus you look so hot if I can say that without any inclination, just simply adaerabli.Hmve a nice day.oxox ^-^
Sounds like a brilliant day from start to finish. What a shame there weren't many chazza bargains but never mind eh, I'm sure the beer and Bob more than made up for it. Second To None looks a fine shop and you look FANTASTIC in the black crepe dress. Methinks you will be heading to Walsall again soon.xxxx
The size of the euro pillow fill is exactly what I need to know and therefore googled.
Priceless info.
Now, tell me why my Queen duvet covers are always sloppy – too big. Who’s sizing these things anyway????
Thank YOU!!!
Thank you for confirming what I just discovered today. I bought new shams at Macy’s and they didn’t look quite right with the old inserts I had. I called the store to see if they had inserts to fit the gusseted shams I just purchased. Macy’s directed me to their online site where they had Ralph Lauren 95/5 feather/down gusseted inserts. The inserts were 28×28, the shams being 26×26. I thought I’d give them a try but was sure I’d wind up having to return them, WRONG…they are a perfect match–larger insert fills the corners of shams. These inserts were on sale at 40 or 50% off (about $37 ea.) highly recommended! These may be discontinued so check site soon if this is what you’re searching for.
I just bought new pillows and covers today and thought I got the wrong size. However, after reading this, it appears that I have done things correctly. I wanted to let people know that my inserts came from Bed, Bath and Beyond. They even had two different price points from which to choose.
Thanks!
I just lucked onto your site and was so happy to learn I need 28 x 28 inserts for the euro shams. I don’t like them floppy either and I would never have known the right size was even available. thank you!!
Hi, Lindsay!
I absolutely love the euro pillow shams shown in the photo of your daughter’s bed here. I know this post is 2.5 years old, but I am hoping I can still find these fabulous shams or the fabric. Could you tell me your source?
Thank you for the great advice on euro pillows!
Rachel
Great article- thank you! The shams I purchased are advertised as 26×26 but the area that the pillow can actually fit in is 24×24 due to extra fabric on the ends like the blue pillows of your daughter’s shown. Does this mean 28×28 pillow would be too big? Thank you again!
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Where, oh where, do I find inserts for a 30×30 sham?
Ya’ll isn’t a word.
Hello!
Do you have a link where I can find the pillows 28*28? Just bought 2 euro shams 26*26 for my daughter . I want for them too look full like in your picture. Thank you!!!!
All pillows or cushions that are for embellishment should have a larger inserts. They look fantastic on either beds or your loungroom. I make my own covers and alway buy the next size up insert.
well I already have down euro inserts so where, how do I find unfrumpy covers to fit the traditional size? I apologize if someone answered this already.
FYI… I went to Michael’s; they had nothing but small pillow inserts. Joanne Fabrics had the 27 x 27, which I bought ($77 with 20% off). Home Goods only had the 27 x 27, but I looked for actual Euro Shams on clearance, and they had two fluffy white ones 28 x 28 ($32 for both). The fluffy ones fit inside the shams perfectly. Joanne’s are going back!! Thanks for the sizing tip!
I’m embarrassed to admit that I thought the pillow on the RIGHT was the “good” one. To me it looks much better than the (floppy) one on the left. I guess it’s just personal preference?
I love your site and especially the furniture makeovers!! They are very fun to read and inspirational too. Thanks! 🙂
This is exactly what I needed to know in a search to find 3 pillow inserts. You recommend down do the feathers come out? Trying to avoid that from happinging but love the karate chop
You can find 28 x 28 feather down inserts on Amazon. This is just one I found for $29: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MG7CDFW/ref=twister_B0799LFNS6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I already have the pillow inserts, down and all, very nice, so I don’t want to get bigger ones. Would buying 24×24 covers make them look smaller somehow then? Do you advise it? Thanks!
I new to the whole EURO pillows….I have size 28 x 28, 26×26 and 22×22 Euro pillow inserts bought from https://www.pacificcoast.com/
Can some one please help me understand the size covers to get for each size and where to find them I confused
https://www.aanyalinen.com/blogs/aanya-blog/what-is-euro-sham here you can read about euro sham and
https://www.aanyalinen.com/collections/euro-shams-100-cotton/products/lilac-euroshams you can find perfect euro pillows
what is a good fit pillow for standard pillow shames 26×20
I have pillows that measure 23×23. What size sham do you recommend?
Can we do better and not recommend shit from amazon – they are pure evil.
Great post and such good tips