Sew Your Way to Stunning: Mastering the Art of Adding Cording to Pillows

Sewing is a timeless skill that allows us to add our own personal touch to our home decor. And one of the most beautiful and versatile ways to elevate a simple pillow is by incorporating cording. Whether you are new to sewing or simply looking for a new project, learning how to sew cording into a pillow is a simple yet impactful way to upgrade your space. In this article, we will guide you through the steps and techniques needed to master this elegant sewing technique. So grab your needles and let’s get started on creating the perfect decorative pillows for your home!

The Importance of Proper Cording in Sewing a Pillow

Proper cording is essential in creating a high-quality pillow. Cording, also known as piping, refers to the fabric-covered cord that is inserted along the edges of a pillow to add structure and definition. It not only serves a decorative purpose but also provides support and durability to the pillow. When done correctly, cording can elevate the overall appearance of your pillow and make it look more professional and well-made.

One of the main reasons why proper cording is crucial is because it helps prevent the edges of the fabric from fraying or unraveling over time. This is especially important if you’re using a delicate or loosely woven fabric for your pillow cover. The cording acts as a barrier, protecting the raw edges and keeping them from becoming damaged or frayed.

Additionally, cording adds structure and support to your pillow, helping it maintain its shape over time. This is particularly important for larger or overstuffed pillows that are often used as decorative accents on beds or sofas. Without adequate support from cording, these pillows may lose their shape and appear lumpy or deflated.

Another significant benefit of proper cording is that it gives your pillow a more polished and finished look. It creates clean lines along the edges of the pillow cover, making it look more refined and professional. This makes a big difference in the overall appearance of your pillows and can make them stand out among other homemade projects.

Choosing the Right Cording for Your Pillow

When selecting cording for your pillow project, there are a few factors to consider to ensure you get the best results. The first thing to keep in mind is the thickness or diameter of the cord itself. The size of your cord should be proportional to the size of your pillow; for example, larger pillows may require thicker cords to provide adequate support.

Next, consider the material used to make the cord. Cotton and polyester are the most common options for cording and both have their advantages. Cotton cording is soft and flexible, making it easier to manipulate while sewing. On the other hand, polyester cording is more durable and holds up better over time.

Lastly, the color of your cording should complement or contrast with the fabric used for your pillow cover. For a more unified look, choose a cord that matches the color of your fabric. For a bolder and more decorative touch, opt for a contrasting color that will stand out against your pillow cover.

Preparing Your Pillow Cover for Cording

Before you can begin sewing cording onto your pillow cover, there are a few steps you should take to prepare the fabric. If you’re using a patterned fabric for your pillow cover, make sure to match up any stripes or patterns at the seams where your cord will be inserted.

Next, snip into corners of your fabric at 45-degree angles to allow for easier manipulation when sewing on the cording. This will also help create clean lines along the corners of your finished pillow.

Then, using a zipper foot on your sewing machine (or a piping foot if available), stitch close to the edge of one side of your fold-over bias tape where you want to insert the cord. This will create an opening in which you can feed the cord through.

Inserting Cording into Your Pillow

To insert cording into your pillow’s edges, start by placing one end of your cord inside the fold-over bias tape at one corner of your pillow cover. Using pins or clips, secure it in place before stitching along the edge with a zipper foot or piping foot.

As you reach each corner, fold over or wrap any excess bias tape around the cord to create a neat mitered corner. Continue stitching along the next side until you reach the starting point. Trim any excess cord and stitch the two ends together to create a seamless look.

Tips for a Professional Finish

To achieve a truly polished and professional finish on your pillow with cording, there are a few helpful tips to keep in mind. First, take your time while sewing and be sure to make even and consistent stitches along the edges of your fabric. This will help create clean lines and avoid any messy or crooked piping.

It’s also important to use high-quality materials when sewing cording onto your pillow. Strong, durable thread and well-made bias tape will ensure that your cording stays in place over time without unraveling or coming undone.

Lastly, be patient and don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the perfect cording on your pillow. As with any sewing project, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try different techniques until you find what works best for you.

Cording is an essential element of creating a well-made and professional-looking pillow. It not only adds structure and support but also gives your pillow a beautiful decorative touch. By choosing the right cording, properly preparing your fabric, and

The Importance of Learning How To Sew Cording Into A Pillow

Learning how to sew cording into a pillow may seem like a small and insignificant skill, but it can actually enhance the overall look and durability of your home decor. Adding cording, also known as piping, to a pillow can give it a more polished and professional finish, elevating it from a simple DIY project to a custom-made piece. Additionally, sewing cording into a throw pillow can make it more durable, as the piping acts as reinforcement for the seams.

Not only is sewing cording into pillows beneficial for the appearance and durability of your home decor, but it is also an essential skill for any fashion designer or seamstress. Many clothing items and accessories rely on cording for structure and definition. By learning how to sew cording into a pillow, you will also acquire a valuable technique that can be applied to other areas of sewing.

Gathering The Necessary Supplies

Before you begin sewing cording into your first pillow, you will need to gather all the necessary supplies. The most important item you will need is your selected fabric for the pillow cover. It’s best to choose a fabric that is not too thick or heavy to manipulate with the added bulk of the cording.

Next, you will need your chosen cording material. Cords come in various sizes and materials such as cotton, polyester, or even leather. It’s important to select one that complements your fabric choice. You will also need thread that matches both your fabric and cord color.

In terms of tools, you will need dressmaker pins or clips for securing your fabric accurately in place while sewing. A rotary cutter or scissors are needed for cutting your fabric to size before sewing. Lastly, make sure you have a zipper foot attachment on hand if using a sewing machine.

Preparing Your Fabric For Sewing

Once you have gathered all the necessary supplies, it’s time to start sewing your cording into a pillow. The first step is to prepare your fabric for sewing. Begin by cutting your fabric to the desired size and shape for your pillow cover. It’s important to leave at least an extra inch or two on each side if using a zipper closure, as this will make it easier to stitch the cording in place.

Next, lay your fabric out flat with the right side facing up. If using a patterned fabric, make sure it is centered and straight. Lay the cording on top of the fabric, starting at one corner with the raw edges aligned.

Adding The Cording To Your Pillow

Now comes the fun part – sewing on the cording. Start at one end of your pillow and place pins or clips through all layers in a straight line. This will hold everything together and help when sewing around corners. Begin stitching in between pins/clips, making sure to leave about an inch of cord extending beyond the edge of the fabric.

As you approach a corner, stop sewing about 1/4 inch before reaching it. Fold over both sides of excess cord and tuck it into this gap between layers so that they are at right angles to each other and pointing towards the corner edge. Then continue stitching until you reach the corner.

To create a neat finish, cut off any excess cording that extends beyond where you started stitching.

The Final Touches:

After carefully attaching cording around all four sides of your pillow cover, you’re almost done! To secure everything in place and ensure durability, stitch over your original stitching line again with a longer stitch length.

If using a zipper closure for your pillow cover, now is the time to insert it into place. Once zipped up completely, give your pillow cover a light press with an iron on low heat to flatten out any wrinkles or creases.

Now you have a stunning and professionally finished throw pillow, complete with sewn-in cording. This useful technique can also be applied to other home decor projects, such as curtains and cushions. With practice, you can master this skill and elevate your sewing projects to the next level. Happy sewing!

Q: What is cording and why should I sew it into a pillow?
A: Cording, also known as piping, is a length of bias-cut fabric that is wrapped around a cord or rope. Sewing cording into a pillow adds a professional and decorative touch to the finished product.

Q: What materials do I need to sew cording into a pillow?
A: To sew cording into a pillow, you will need cording, fabric, scissors, pins, a sewing machine with a zipper foot attachment, and coordinating thread.

Q: How do I prepare the cording for sewing?
A: Before sewing cording into a pillow, the ends of the cords should be cut at 45-degree angles and fused together with fabric glue. This will prevent the cords from fraying or unraveling during the sewing process.

Q: How do I insert the cording into my pillow?
A: First, mark where you want your cording to be placed on your fabric using pins. Then, place the lip of the cording under one edge of the fabric with the cord facing inwards towards the center. Use your zipper foot to stitch along the edge of the cord. Repeat on all sides until you have fully inserted your cording.

Q: How do I ensure that my corners are neat when sewing in cording?
A: To achieve neat corners when sewing in cording, stop stitching about 1 inch before reaching each corner. Then pull out some stitches from both sides of the cord so that it lays flat against both edges. Fold over the other side of fabric and continue stitching until you reach your starting point.

Q: What is an alternative method for inserting cording into pillows?
A: Instead of using pre-made cording, you can also make your own by cutting strips of fabric and wrapping them around a piece of cord or rope. This DIY cording can then be sewn into the pillow following the same method mentioned above.

In conclusion, knowing how to sew cording into a pillow is a valuable skill for anyone interested in sewing and home decor. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sewer, following the right techniques and steps can help you achieve professional-looking results and add extra flair to your pillows. As discussed, selecting the appropriate cording, marking and cutting the fabric, creating the casing, and attaching the cording are all crucial steps in this process that should not be overlooked.

It is important to note that practicing precision and patience is key when sewing cording into a pillow. Taking the time to perfect each step will lead to a well-made and visually appealing result. Additionally, being familiar with different types of stitches can also enhance the overall look of the pillow.

Furthermore, it is essential to consider safety while working with cords and needles. Taking necessary precautions such as wearing appropriate protective gear and handling needles carefully can prevent any accidents or injuries.

Moreover, learning how to sew cording into a pillow opens up endless creative possibilities for personalizing home decor. From using contrasting colors to adding texture, incorporating cording into pillows can elevate their design and make them stand out.

In conclusion, with proper guidance and practice, anyone can master sewing cording into pillows. It not only adds a unique touch

Author Profile

Jill Nammar

My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.