Strawberry Thief Percale Cotton Pillowcase Pair - Natural

This is a pair of pillowcases carrying William Morris's Strawberry Thief pattern, one of the best known designs from his archive. The face is a garment-washed slub cotton and the reverse is a smooth percale cotton, so the two sides of the case behave differently in the hand: the slub front has a little texture and a soft, lived-in handle, while the percale back is crisp and cool. The pattern reads in warm natural browns and beiges on a pale ground, with the familiar birds set among trailing flowers, and the reverse carries a fine pinstripe rather than the print.

Pillowcases like these earn their place at the head of a made bed, where the oxford border sits proud of the pillow and frames the design. They suit a bedroom leaning traditional or country, and the neutral colouring means they sit happily against wood furniture, cane headboards and pale walls without fighting for attention. Because the design is reversible, you can turn a pillow to the pinstripe for a quieter look and turn it back to the floral when you want the pattern, which is a genuinely useful thing on a bed you dress and re-dress often.

Both sides are pure cotton, which is breathable and washes and wears well, softening rather than degrading over repeated laundering. The case is finished with an oxford border and a contrast piped trim around the edge, and a pillow slides in through an envelope closure at the back, so there is no button or zip to sit under your head. Being 100% cotton throughout, it takes a warm wash and a warm iron comfortably. It belongs to the wider Strawberry Thief range, so you can build a coordinated bed around it if you choose.

What is the difference between the two sides?

The face is a garment-washed slub cotton carrying the floral print, and the reverse is a smooth percale cotton with a fine pinstripe, so you can turn the pillow either way.

How do I get the pillow in and out?

Each case has an envelope closure at the back, which holds the pillow securely with no zip or button to feel under your head while you sleep.

What is the oxford border?

It is a flat fabric edge that extends beyond the seam around the whole case, so the pillow sits within a framed border rather than filling right to the edge.

Is the fabric cotton, and how does that wear?

Both sides are pure cotton, which is breathable and absorbent, and cotton tends to soften with each wash rather than wear out, so the cases improve with use.

How many pillowcases do I get?

This is sold as a pair, so you receive two matching pillowcases, enough to dress a double bed or to sit together at the head of a single.