Adding cording to your sewing projects can give them a professional and finished look. However, buying pre-made cording can be expensive and limit your options. The good news is, it is easy to make your own cording from fabric!
The first step in making cording from fabric is to choose the fabric you want to use. You can use any fabric, but it is best to use a lightweight fabric like cotton or silk. You will also need to choose a cord to use as the core of your cording. You can use anything from cotton twine to piping cord.
Once you have your fabric and cord ready, you will need to cut your fabric strips. Cut your fabric on the bias, which means at a 45-degree angle to the grain of the fabric. This will allow your cording to curve smoothly around corners. Cut your fabric strips about 1.5 times the length of your cord.
Take one of your fabric strips and fold it in half lengthwise, with the right side facing in. Insert your cord into the folded strip, leaving a tail of cord at each end. Pin the fabric closed around the cord. Use a zipper foot on your sewing machine to sew as close to the cord as possible, making sure to catch both sides of the fabric. Repeat this step with as many fabric strips as you need to reach your desired length of cording.
Once you have sewn all your fabric strips together, you can trim the excess fabric and cord tails. Your cording is now ready to use in your sewing projects!
What type of fabric should I use to make cording?
You can use any fabric, but it is best to use a lightweight fabric like cotton or silk.
What type of cord should I use as the core of my cording?
You can use anything from cotton twine to piping cord.
Can I make my cording thicker or thinner?
Yes, you can adjust the thickness of your cording by using more or fewer fabric strips and a thicker or thinner cord as the core.
Do I need a special sewing machine foot to make cording?
A zipper foot is helpful, but not necessary. You can also use a regular foot and sew slowly.
Making your own cording from fabric is cost-effective and allows you to customize the color, pattern, and thickness of your cording. It is also a great way to use up scrap fabric.
When cutting your fabric strips, be sure to cut them on the bias for the smoothest curve. Use a pressing tool like a loop turner or bodkin to help turn your cording right side out after sewing.
Making your own cording from fabric is an easy and cost-effective way to add a professional touch to your sewing projects. Choose your fabric and cord, cut your fabric strips on the bias, sew your fabric strips around your cord, and trim the excess. Customize the color, pattern, and thickness of your cording to suit your needs.
