Adding piping to a pillow is a great way to give it a professional, tailored look. To do this, you will need fabric for the piping, cording, a sewing machine, and basic sewing supplies. The process involves cutting strips of fabric on the bias (diagonally across the grain), wrapping them around the cording to create the piping, and then sewing the piping into the seams of your pillow cover. Below, we will explore the steps involved in adding piping to a pillow in more detail.
Materials Needed
Before you start, ensure you have the following materials at hand:
– Fabric for the piping (bias-cut strips)
– Cording
– Pillow fabric
– Sewing machine with a zipper foot
– Thread to match the piping fabric
– Scissors
– Pins or fabric clips
– Ruler or measuring tape
– Iron and ironing board
– Optional: Rotary cutter and cutting mat
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Cutting the Piping Fabric
Piping looks best when the fabric is cut on the bias because it allows the fabric to curve smoothly around the corners of the pillow. To cut bias strips:
1. Lay your fabric flat.
2. Find a 45-degree angle to the selvage (the factory edge) – this is the bias.
3. Use a ruler and a marking tool to draw lines parallel to the bias, the width of your desired piping plus seam allowance – usually about 1.5 inches wide.
4. Cut along the lines with scissors or a rotary cutter.
Step 2: Sewing the Fabric Strips Together
If your pillow is large or if you want continuous piping, you’ll need to join strips of fabric:
1. Place the ends of two strips right-sides together at a 90-degree angle, forming an “L” shape.
2. Sew diagonally across the square where the strips overlap.
3. Trim the excess fabric leaving about a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
4. Press the seams open with an iron.
Step 3: Wrapping the Cording
1. Lay your bias strips wrong-side up on your work surface.
2. Place the cording in the center along the length of the strip.
3. Fold the fabric over the cording, matching the raw edges, and pin or clip in place.
4. Sew close to the cording to create the piping, using a zipper foot for a close stitch.
Step 4: Attaching the Piping to the Pillow
1. Place the piping on the right side of one piece of your pillow fabric, aligning the raw edges of the piping with the raw edges of the fabric.
2. Use the zipper foot to sew the piping to the fabric, following the same stitch line you made when wrapping the cording.
3. When you reach a corner, clip the seam allowance of the piping (not the stitch line) to help it bend around the corner.
4. For joining ends of the piping, trim one end so that it fits inside the other, and fold the fabric to encase the rough end. Sew across the folded end to secure the two ends of the piping together.
Step 5: Sewing the Pillow Together
1. Place the other piece of pillow fabric right-side down on top of the piped piece.
2. Pin or clip all around to secure, then sew around the pillow using the previous stitching line on the piping as a guide.
3. Leave an opening large enough to insert the pillow form or stuffing.
4. Clip the corners diagonally to reduce bulk, taking care not to cut too close to the stitching.
5. Turn the pillow right side out through the opening.
6. Press the edges with an iron for a sharp finish.
7. Insert the pillow form or stuffing and hand-stitch the opening closed.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Uneven Piping
If your piping appears uneven or twisted, it could be due to uneven tension in your sewing or not sewing close enough to the cording. Always sew as close as possible to the cording for a tight, professional finish and ensure consistent tension throughout.
Corner Bunching
If your corners are bunching when you turn the pillow right side out, it might be because the seam allowance wasn’t clipped properly. Clipping the seam allowances at the corners will help the fabric to lie flat and provide a neater finish.
Piping End Joins
Joining the ends of the piping can be tricky, but by overlapping one end of the piping inside the other and folding to encase the raw edge, you create a seamless transition.
Bulky Seams
Bulky seams can occur if too much fabric is caught in the seam allowance or if the corners are not trimmed properly. Ensure you trim down the fabric at the corners and press your seams open where possible.
Finishing Thoughts
Adding piping to a pillow can elevate a simple home sewing project into a work with a professional flair. By following these detailed steps and taking your time through the process, you can achieve a crisp, tailored look on your pillows. Whether you’re updating your home décor or crafting a gift, piping is a skill that adds a special touch to your textiles. Patience and practice are key; even if the first few attempts aren’t perfect, each pillow will bring further finesse to your craft.
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