Step 1
Check the dimensions of your king pillow with the tape measure. Standard king pillows measure 20 inches by 36 inches. This means that you require about 1 1/4 yards of fabric to make the front and back of the pillow sham for each pillow, without the sham portion added in.
Step 2
Determine the additional fabric to make a tailored sham that extends straight out from the four edges of the pillowcase. A tailored sham requires four fabric pieces 8 1/2 inches wide that you can cut from the width of the fabric -- you will need 1 yard of additional fabric to make a tailored sham.
Step 3
Figure the additional fabric to make a ruffled sham that borders the entire pillowcase. A ruffled sham requires six fabric pieces 8 1/2 inches wide -- extra fabric is necessary to gather in fullness. You will need 1 1/2 additional yards of fabric to make a ruffled sham.
Step 4
Add the fabric amounts you require to make one king size pillow sham. You will need 1 1/4 yards for the pillowcase plus 1 yard for a tailored sham and 1 1/2 yards for a ruffled sham. For each complete pillow sham, you will need 2 1/4 yards for a tailored sham and 2 3/4 yards for a ruffled sham. Multiply this by 2 if you must make two shams -- 4 1/2 yards for two tailored shams and 5 1/2 yards for two ruffled shams.