Nap Pillowcase Single

The Nap Pillowcase is woven from 100% extra-long staple cotton in a percale weave with a 225 thread count. The weave structure, known in Italy as 'quattro-quaranta' or '4-by-40', uses 40's single-strand yarn in both the warp and weft at a density of 40 threads per centimeter in each direction. This balanced construction produces a sturdy, hotel-grade pillowcase that is far more durable than high-thread-count alternatives woven with thinner, multi-ply yarn. Thread count is not the measure of quality here; the caliber of the cotton fiber and the integrity of the weave are.

Yes. Nap is MATTEO's best-selling hotel fabric. The 'quattro-quaranta' percale weave gives the pillowcase a crisp, lightly starched feel that hotel housekeeping teams rely on, while the 100% extra-long staple cotton construction holds up through repeated commercial laundering. The same fabric is available directly to residential customers through MATTEO's Los Angeles studio.

The Nap Pillowcase is available in Queen (20 x 33 inches / 51 x 84 cm) and King (20 x 39 inches / 51 x 99 cm). MATTEO does not offer a Standard size; for a Standard pillow insert, the Queen pillowcase is recommended. The pillowcase will extend slightly past the edge of the insert, and the excess can be tucked under or adjusted by a seamstress for a tailored envelope closure.

A pillowcase loosely encases the pillow insert and is open on one side, while a sham is more fitted and uses some form of closure to keep the insert in place. The Nap Pillowcase has a 2-inch cuff hem and an open-end construction, making it straightforward to put on and remove for washing. Shams are generally used as decorative layering pieces on a made bed, whereas pillowcases are the day-to-day sleeping surface.

Wash in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent and a cool rinse, separating light and dark colors. Do not overload the machine, as overloading stresses the long cotton fibers. Tumble dry on low heat and remove promptly to reduce wrinkling, or line dry for best results. Bleach is safe on white cotton, but avoid chlorine bleach, alpha hydroxy acids, and benzoyl peroxide on garment-dyed colors, as these whitening agents will break down the reactive dyes.

Yes. The garment-washing process gives Nap an immediate crisp-but-broken-in feel, and the pillowcase continues to soften with each successive wash. Because it is woven from 100% extra-long staple cotton and dyed using non-toxic dyes, the fabric is free from harsh chemical finishes that can irritate sensitive skin. The percale weave is breathable, which also reduces the heat buildup that can aggravate skin sensitivity during sleep.

Garment-dyeing is an artisanal process, and MATTEO allows for a shade variation of plus or minus 10% from dye lot to dye lot. This is an inherent characteristic of reactive-dye garment-dyeing, not a defect. If you are purchasing multiple pillowcases to match, ordering them together in a single transaction reduces the chance of dye-lot differences. Learn more about the process at matteola.com/garment-dyeing.

The Nap Pillowcase is well-suited as a registry or gift item. It is MATTEO's most established hotel-quality cotton, designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, and it improves with use over years rather than deteriorating after a season. The pillowcase is sold individually, so it is easy to add one or more to a registry alongside matching Nap flat sheets, fitted sheets, or a full sheet set for a coordinated bed.