How to Sew a Corded Trim on a Pillow

Corded trim, also called cording or piping, adds an elegant accent to homemade upholstery and throw pillows. You can purchase corded trim at a fabric store in a variety of materials and colors, or make your own with scrap fabric sewn around piping cord. Attach piping to your pillows before sewing their seams together to give your project a professional, finished look.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape
Straight pins

Sewing machine with zipper foot
Seam ripper

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the perimeter of the pillow and cut a length of trim at least 2 inches longer.
- 2
  Pin the edge of the trim around the pillow, matching the pillow’s seam allowance to the trim’s seam allowance. When you reach a corner, cut a piece from the tail of the corresponding section of trim up to the trim’s stitches to make it more flexible. If sewing trim around a round pillow, cut notches in the edge of the trim up to the trim's stitches to make the trim flexible enough to work with.
- 3
  Stitch the trim to the pillow using a sewing machine with a zipper foot attachment and a straight stitch. Continue stitching until the two ends of the trim overlap.
- 4
  Use a seam ripper to rip the stitches in the trim's fabric to reveal the bare, overlapping piping. Cut off excess piping cord so the two ends match up neatly. Cut off excess trim fabric, leaving 1/2 inch overlap.
- 5
  Tuck in the raw edge of the trim’s fabric and stitch it to the other end to finish.

Can Pillows Be Washed?

Standard Pillow Protectors

Pillows & Throws