Sewing Tips

Sewing Friends:

What is the difference between piping and cording and how do I sew it?  That question was recently submitted to me.  So, here is the answer along with some sewing tips that might help you enjoy more sewing success.

The sewing technique for both piping and cording is the same.  They are both made and applied in the same way.  The size of the filler is what makes the difference between piping and cording. 

• Piping is thin.
• Cording is thick. 

Piping is used more in garment sewing.  Cording is used more on home dec items.

Think about these extremes.  Piping is often applied to a baby dress around the little Peter Pan collar or narrow edgings around pocket flaps, necklines, linings, armholes, on evening wear, tailored garments or other clothing.  It is small and narrow.

Cording is found on upholstery, slip covers, pillows or handbags.  It is usually bigger and heavier.

Piped edges on garments and home dec items really enhances the look and adds a couture designer touch.

Here are some sewing tips for cutting and sewing piping/cording for a really professional finish.

Cutting Fabric Guidelines

1.  Woven Fabrics

• Cut fabric strips on the bias if you are piping an edge with any curves in it. 
• Cut fabric strips on the lengthwise grain if you are piping a straight edge.

2.  Knit Fabrics

• Cut fabric strips on the crosswise knit of the fabric.

Why Most Piping Looks Terrible and Screams “Homemade!” 

What is on the inside is almost more important than what is on the outside.

The number one reason most piping looks terrible is because you are using cablecord.  I know that is what was recommended, but think about this. 

Cablecord has ridges, is lumpy and bumpy and shows through many fabrics and needs to be preshrunk before you use it.   It just doesn’t make sense to use cablecord.

Instead, try using acrylic rug yarn.  I have been using this for years.  It really makes nice piping.  The acrylic rug yarn is smooth, inexpensive and you don’t need to preshrink it.  Use 2 or 3 strands of yarn together if you need thicker piping.  There is a lot in a skein of yarn.  Share some with your sewing friends.

How To Sew Piping Or Cording

Nearly every sewing book covers how to make piping or cording.  But, don’t sew it exactly as they suggest by placing the needle as close to the cord as you can get when you are making your cording/piping. 

Instead, adjust your needle position a tiny bit away from the cord when you sew it that first time.  Then, when you sew the cord/piping to your project, you can sew it with the needle as close as you can get to the cord.  Now, the first stitching won’t show through when you are finished.

Piping Or Cording Curves

• When piping or cording outside curves, gently ease the piping a little around the curve as you stitch it.
• When piping or cording inside curves, slightly stretch the piping as you stitch it.

Piping Or Cording Corners

Slightly round all corners before piping or cording them.  Don’t even try to make really sharp corners. They don’ t work well with piping/cording.

It just makes sense!

Now you know the difference between piping and cording plus you have some great sewing tips to help you achieve greater sewing success.

To Your Sewing Success,

Marian

Sewing Tips

 

 

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 13th, 2006 at 9:58 pm and is filed under Sewing Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.