How To Make Cording For A Pillow?
Making cording for a pillow is a simple process that adds a professional touch to custom-made pillows. The basic steps involve measuring and cutting your fabric strips, making the piping itself by wrapping these strips around a cord, and then attaching it to your pillow fabric. Depending on your preference, you can use a fabric that contrasts with your pillow or one that complements it seamlessly.
Understanding Cording and its Purpose
Cording, also known as piping, is a type of trim or embellishment that consists of a cord encased in fabric. It is commonly used to define the edges of pillows, cushions, upholstery, and certain types of clothing. Beyond its aesthetic value, cording reinforces the seams and helps maintain the shape of your pillow, particularly around the corners.
Choosing the Right Materials
Before you start making your cording, you’ll want to select the appropriate materials. The cord itself is most commonly made from polyester or cotton and comes in various thicknesses. Your choice of thickness will depend on the look you’re aiming for; a thicker cord makes a bolder statement, while a thinner one provides a more subtle edge.
The fabric for the piping should ideally be light to medium-weight to neatly encase the cord. Cotton, cotton blends, and linen work well, but you can also choose a fabric that matches your pillow material. Additionally, consider the effects of wear and tear and washing if the pillow will be used frequently.
Measuring and Cutting the Fabric
To calculate the length of your fabric strips for the cording, measure the perimeter of your pillow and add about 6 inches for joining ends and seam allowances. For the width, you’ll need to take into account the thickness of the cord, usually double the width of the cord plus seam allowance (commonly 1.5 inches for both sides). Most cords need a fabric strip that’s about 1.5 to 2 inches wider than the cord’s circumference.
When cutting the fabric, it’s ideal to cut on the bias. This is a 45-degree angle to the weave of the fabric. Cutting on the bias allows the fabric to stretch and bend around the curves of the pillow without bunching, providing a smoother finish. To do this, make a diagonal fold across your fabric, and use the fold as a guide to begin cutting your strips.
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Creating the Cording
Wrapping the Cord
Once you have your bias strips, place the cord in the center of the wrong side of the fabric strip. Fold over the fabric, and pin it in place so that the cord is snugly wrapped with the fabric. As an extra tip, use a zipper foot on your sewing machine to help stitch closer to the cord.
Sewing the Cording
You’ll want to sew as close as possible to the cord without stitching over it, creating a tight and neat encasement. A zipper foot for your sewing machine is invaluable for this task because it allows you to stitch right up against the cord. Your sewing line should ideally be within a ¼ inch seam allowance.
Joining Ends
To join the cording ends smoothly on your pillow, there’s a bit of a trick. Unwrap the ends of the cording fabric and clip the cords to the length needed so that they meet but don’t overlap. Fold back one end of the fabric at an angle, place the other end on top, and wrap it around the exposed cord so that the two ends of fabric form a neat join, then sew the fabric closed again.
Attaching Cording to Your Pillow
Preparing the Pillow Pieces
With your cording made, it’s time to attach it to your pillow. First, take the front piece of your pillow and align the cording along the edge, with the raw edges of both the cording and the fabric facing outwards. Pin the cording in place, leaving a small overhang at the starting point.
Sewing the Cording On
Using your zipper foot again, sew the cording to the pillow along your previous stitching line. Take care when you reach the corners; gently bending the cord around the corner will help you maintain a continuous line of cording. It’s best to cut small notches into the fabric of the cording (be careful not to snip the stitch line) to ease the fabric around the corners.
Completing the Pillow
Once the cording is attached to one side, place the back piece of the pillow right-side down on top of the front piece, aligning all the edges. Pin the pieces together, sandwiching the cording in between. Sew around the perimeter, once again following the cording seam line. Leave an opening for turning the pillow right-side out and for inserting the pillow insert. After turning the pillow cover, hand-stitch the opening closed for a finished look.
Expert Tips and Tricks
– Use clips instead of pins to hold the cording while sewing to prevent needle pricks and to handle the fabric more easily.
– Consider pre-washing your fabric, especially if your pillow will likely be laundered, to prevent future shrinkage.
– If you don’t own a zipper foot, use a standard foot but stitch slowly and carefully as close to the cording as possible.
– You can create a two-toned or patterned effect by sewing different fabrics together before creating your bias strips for a unique look.
Finishing Thoughts
Creating cording for a pillow might seem daunting at first, but with a little patience and practice, you can easily achieve a professional and decorative finish that elevates your homemade pillow designs. The key is selecting the right materials, precisely measuring and cutting your fabric, and sewing carefully to maintain even and snug encasement around the cord. Not only does cording add a tailored detail to your pillows, but it also gives them strength and structure—ensuring they stand up beautifully on your couch, bed, or chair. Whether you’re a seasoned sewer or new to the craft, making your cording is a rewarding project that can add a personalized touch to your home décor.
