How to sew cording without lip

7 Easy Steps Of How To Sew Cording Without Lip

Is your sewing project in need of a distinctive and decorative touch? If so, cording can be a great option for you. When you’d be working on this sewing project you’ll come across various types of cording ranges in different sizes and colors and can be made from cotton, nylon, or polyester. But, sewing cording with a lip can be challenging and not everyone wants that extra bulk in their designs.

How to sew cording without lip? Well, for that you must need sewing expertise on a certain advanced level otherwise there’s a great chance to fluctuate and end up damaging the clothes. Try to take notes of the tools and materials, know the fundamentals, identify the difference, and know the purpose. Once you have them, jump into the process or sew cording. Don’t skip any steps and follow properly the instructions mentioned in the discussion onwards.

Key Takeaways

  • Get yourself familiar with the cording and its essentials before working.
  • Sew the cording easily by following the steps.
  • Know about piping and its use and difference with cording.

What Is Cording in Sewing and Why It is Used?

What is cording in sewing and why it is used
What is cording in sewing and why it is used

A cording technique involves sewing a thin, flexible cord to fabric to create a decorative effect. It is possible to create intricate patterns and add texture to clothing, home décor items, and accessories with cording, which can be made of cotton, silk, or nylon. With the use of a special cording foot on a sewing machine, the piping is sewn to the fabric using a thin cord inserted into a bias strip or piping. Cording can also be added by hand using a needle and thread. The cording foot ensures a smooth and even result by guiding the cord and fabric.

A variety of sewing projects can be created with cording. It can be used to add visual interest to garments and add raised seams. It can also be used to add decorative accents to pillows, curtains, and other home décor items. Also, cording can be used to make bag straps or embellish collars and cuffs. It is important to choose the right cord when using cords for sewing projects. With a thicker cord, you will create a more dramatic effect, while a thinner cord will give a subtler effect. The fabric must also be able to support the cord weight without puckering or distorting. Using cording in any sewing project can be an excellent way to add elegance and versatility.

Many things can be made from cording, such as bags, cushion covers, piping, and decorative items. The material cording is what sits between fabrics and embellishes theatrical costumes, period costumes, and furnishings. Often, it’s stitched into place on cushion covers and shaped into a continuous scrawl of a word. Also, it is commonly used as a strap for handbags, whether covered or uncovered, and for other small home decor items as well.

7 Easy Steps to Sew Cording Without Lip

Well, for any kind of sewing lip performs like a connecting point but it is vital for sewing things like cording. To your wonder, it is possible to sew the cording for your favorite fabric for any epistolary without lip. Piping adds a nice finishing touch to projects like cushions or upholstery. Here’s how you’d do it.

Easy steps to sew cording without lip
Easy steps to sew cording without lip

Tools and equipment

  • Fabric
  • Cording
  • Chalk/pen
  • Thread
  • Fabric scissors
  • Needle
  • Zipper foot or piping foot.

Step 1

First, cut out strips of fabric. Piping is often cut on the bias, which means diagonally because it gives the fabric more stretch for wrapping around corners. But if your project doesn’t require precise curves, cutting straight across works fine and saves yardage.

Step 2

To determine how wide, the strips should be, take the width of your cording, add the seam allowance you’ll be using, then multiply that number by 2. For example, 1/8 inch cording and the seam allowance will be 1/2 an inch, so the strips are 1 and 1/4 inches wide. And for the length, measure enough to wrap around the perimeter of your project plus a couple of extra inches.

Step 3

You may need to cut multiple pieces. To make the piping, sew the strips together diagonally for a smoother transition. At the end of one of the pieces, mark a 45-degree line on the wrong side of the fabric. Line up the end of another piece so it’s perpendicular, with the right sides facing. This will create a continuous piece when opened.

Step 4

Sew along the line and cut off the excess fabric. Put the cording in the middle of the strip of fabric and fold it in half. Attach a zipper foot to your sewing machine. Place the piping to the left of the foot. Sew with a long stitch length, not too close to the cording. This will temporarily hold the piping in place.

Step 5

Next, sew the piping to your other pieces with the right side of the fabric facing up. Leave a couple of inches of piping loose at the beginning. Match up the edges of the fabric and the piping and sew. You can continue to use a long stitch length here and again, don’t sew too close to the cording. When you reach the corner, make a couple of cuts into the edge of the piping. This will make it easier to turn the corner. With the needle down, lift the foot to adjust the fabric as you go around the curve. Continue to sew until you’re a few inches from where you started.

Step 6

Cut the piping a little long and rip open the cover a couple of inches. Pull back the fabric from the cording. Cross the two ends of the cording and cut through so that they meet without overlapping. On the other end, fold over the fabric diagonally, and wrap it around the piping. Finish sewing it to the fabric. Finally, take your other piece of fabric and place it on top of the piping with the right side facing down and pin it together.

Step 7

Change the stitch length back to a standard length and sew with a half-inch seam allowance. This time sew close to the piping for a tight fit. Backstitch at the beginning and end, and the piping is now complete.

What Is Piping and Why it is Used?

What is piping and why it is used
What is piping and why it is used

It’s an ornamental element that is made from a strip of fabric folded over a string or cord to give it a 3D effect. Pipes are used to defining the edges or style lines of garments or other textile items by inserting a strip of folded fabric into a seam in order to form a “pipe.” Piping has been used in sewing for centuries. A bias cut is typically used for fabric strips.  An example of piping is a strip of fabric with the right side facing out and a piece of cord down the middle, then the fabric is pulled together to cover the cord. As a result of the cord, the circular shape and the 3D effect are created.

From homewares to clothing and costumes, piping is commonly used. Especially in historical theatrical productions, piping is often used in costumes. The clothing of this period was made using these techniques. In today’s world, piping is more commonly known and used on furniture, soft furnishings, and bags. Along with many other types of furniture, it is used to create borders around pillows, bedding, and footstools. A garment or cushion edge can be enhanced with piping in the seams to create a dimensional effect. In certain periods, it was often placed along the seams of women’s bodies to create elegance and wealth. With fading colors and fabrics, it is now used more as a subtle decoration on home furnishings.

Difference between cording and piping in sewing

Here, is a table showing the main differences between cording and piping in sewing:

FeatureCordingPipingPurposeAdds texture and dimension to the fabricProvides a finished edge and decorative detailMaterialThin flexible cordCord inserted into a fabric-covered bias stripPlacementCan be added anywhere on the fabricTypically added to edges or seamsThicknessCan vary depending on the desired effectTypically one standard thicknessSewing TechniquesRequires a cording foot on a sewing machine or hand-sewingSewn onto fabric with a piping foot on a sewing machine or hand-sewingUses in sewingOften used for raised seams, accents, and quiltingOften used for finishing edges, such as on cushions and clothing

FAQs

What is a filler cord for sewing?

A filler cord is a web-covered cord with filling inside – it is great for decorative purposes in piping etc.

What do you use cording for?

Piping and cording are the outlines of home decor. They provide a coordinating or contrasting edge along the seams of slipcovers, cushions, pillows, and more

What are the sizes of the cording?

The diameter of the cord or rope determines the size of the piping and cording. Cording has a cord diameter of 6.4 mm to 12.5 mm (1/4″ to 1/2″), while piping has a cord diameter between 6.4 mm and 12.5 mm (1/4″ to 1/2″).

Final Thoughts

By following the steps and tips provided, you can achieve a neat and polished finish that will make your sewing projects stand out. Sewing cording without a lip can be a great way to add a unique and professional touch to your sewing projects. Choose the right materials and gather all the essential tools before you begin. If it takes a lot of time or you make any errors, keep going. Don’t be afraid to try this technique on your next sewing project to see how it can elevate your designs with practice and patience.

Author

Hey I’m Sherry Howes an expert in sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. With a passion for fiber arts and a talent for crafting, I Have spent years improving my skills and sharing knowledge with others. Whether teaching a class or creating a new project, I’m always excited to share my love of crafting with the world. I like researching new techniques and trends in the crafting arts community.

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