This is the piece of fabric that creates a sheath or barrier between you and your pillow. Typically, a pillowcase has one opening on the short side of the fabric and extra fabric that will drape over a few inches, when placed over the pillow insert. The drape is sometimes generous and provides a decorative element to what is otherwise a largely functional piece.

Thread count is the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the more durable the fabric will be. In most cases, a higher thread count also means a softer fabric. However, the type of fiber and weave can also affect the quality of the sheets and should be considered when researching your options. When looking at the thread count, try to find sheets that are between 200-800.