Pimpernel Percale Cotton Pillowcase Pair - Natural & Chocolate

This is a pair of pure cotton pillowcases carrying the Pimpernel design, a classic Morris floral drawn from William Morris's archive. The two sides do genuinely different work. The face is a garment-washed slub cotton, printed with the winding floral pattern you can see in the photograph, worked here in soft browns and warm neutrals against a pale ground. Turn the case over and there is a smaller leafy pattern on a smooth 200 thread count percale cotton reverse, so a single pillowcase gives you two textures and two looks from one purchase.

Pillowcases like these are for a bed you want to feel settled and lived in rather than sharp and hotel-crisp. The oxford border, the flat band of fabric that frames each case, gives the pillow a tailored edge when it sits against a headboard, which suits a country or traditional bedroom and works well layered over plain sheets so the pattern does the talking. Because the design is reversible, you can dress the bed with the bold floral showing, then flip to the quieter leaf print when you want the room calmer. They coordinate with the wider Pimpernel range if you are building a set.

The construction is the detail worth knowing. Each case is finished with an oxford border and a contrast piped trim, and closed with an envelope opening at the back, so the pillow tucks in and stays put with no buttons or ties to catch on. Slub cotton has a slightly irregular, textured yarn that gives the face its relaxed hand, while percale is a crisp, tightly woven cotton that stays cool and smooth against the skin. Being all cotton, they wash and breathe well and only soften with use. Style them as a pair, or split them across a shared bed for a matched-not-identical look.

What is the difference between the two sides?

The face is a garment-washed slub cotton with the main floral print, and the reverse is a smooth 200 thread count percale cotton carrying a smaller leaf pattern, so each case is reversible.

How does the pillow stay inside?

Each pillowcase has an envelope closure, which is a flap of fabric at the back that holds the pillow securely with no buttons or ties to fasten.

What does the oxford border look like?

It is a flat band of fabric framing the edge of the case, which gives the pillow a neat tailored outline when it sits against the headboard.

Is this fabric warm or cool to sleep on?

Percale is a tightly woven cotton that stays crisp and cool, while the slub cotton face has a softer, more textured feel, so you can choose whichever side suits you.

How many pillowcases come in the pack?

This is sold as a pair, so you receive two matching pillowcases in the Natural and Chocolate colourway shown.