Nap Sham Single

The Nap Sham Single is 100% extra-long staple cotton, woven in a percale weave at 225 thread count and garment-washed using non-toxic dyes. The weave follows the Italian "quattro-quaranta" construction: 40's single-strand yarn in both the warp and the weft, with a density of 40 threads per centimeter in each direction. The result is a balanced, hotel-quality percale with a crisp finish that softens with every wash.

The Nap Sham Single is available in three sizes: King (20 x 36 inches / 51 x 91 cm), Queen (20 x 30 inches / 51 x 76 cm), and Euro (26 x 26 inches / 66 x 66 cm). Each size uses an envelope closure to hold the pillow insert securely in place, with a classic 2-inch flange border on all sides.

A sham has a more fitted construction with a closure, such as the envelope back on the Nap Sham, to keep the pillow insert from slipping out. A pillowcase loosely encases the pillow and is open at one end. Shams also typically include a decorative flange border, which the Nap Sham has at 2 inches, making them better suited for a finished, hotel-style bed presentation.

Nap is MATTEO's best-selling hotel fabric. The 225 thread count percale woven to the Italian quattro-quaranta standard produces the same balanced, durable construction found in high-end hotel linen programs. The garment-washing process gives it a broken-in feel from the first use, while the extra-long staple cotton fiber means it holds up to repeated commercial-grade laundering without pilling or weakening.

Thread count alone does not determine fabric quality. The Nap Sham is woven at 225 thread count, but the construction relies on 40's single-strand extra-long staple yarn at 40 threads per centimeter in both directions, which produces a denser, more durable weave than many higher-count fabrics made with twisted or multi-ply yarns. MATTEO's Nap fabric is direct evidence that weave structure and fiber quality matter more than thread count numbers.

Wash the Nap Sham in a lukewarm cycle with a gentle detergent, separating lights from darks. Do not overload the machine, as this can stress the long cotton fibers. Tumble dry on low heat and remove promptly to reduce wrinkling. For garment-dyed colors, avoid any products containing chlorine bleach, alpha hydroxy acids, or benzoyl peroxide, as these will break down the reactive dyes. White shams can be bleached. For a crisp finish, press while slightly damp on the Lightweight Cotton or Medium iron setting.

Garment-dyeing is an artisanal process, and MATTEO allows for a shade variation of plus or minus 10% from dye lot to dye lot. If you are ordering multiple shams to match, purchasing them in a single order reduces the chance of visible tonal differences. You can read more about MATTEO's garment-dyeing process here.

The Nap Sham Single pairs directly with the Nap Pillowcase Single for a consistent percale bed. For a higher thread count in the same cotton family, the Tru Sham Single is a natural companion. The full Nap Fabric Collection includes coordinating flat sheets, fitted sheets, and duvet covers in the same quattro-quaranta percale.