Piping Tutorial

How to make your own and how to use it

I LOVE piping! It just adds a little extra to many designs, makes a retro look, just how I like it. And you can put it between any two pieces of fabric you sew together. Since I'm so glad I discovered it I want to share my rather knew knowledge with you.

You can of course buy ready made piping (if you have, scroll further down), but making your own you can use just the fabric you like and - it's cheaper.

You need: 
- fabric of your choice, cut into 2.5 cm wide strips. If you use wovens: cut it on the bias, elastics any way you want.
- some 2 mm polyester cord (you can of course use thicker cord if you want the piping to be wider.

Cut your fabric into strips in a 45 degree angle to the edges.

I bought the cord in a DIY store (cheap!).

Make piping

 Sew those fabric strips together to make a long one (you can of course use bias tape instead, just cut it in half).

 Press seams open.

 

 Put the cord in the middle of the strip and sew right next to the cord. There are special piping feet for sewing machines, but your zipper foot (as used here) works just fine! 

 Your piping is now ready for use!

Pockets with piping

So, how did I make these pockets?
I cut out two half circles (well, roughly), the size you want the pockets to be plus 1 cm seam allowance where the piping is going to be and 2 cm on the straight edge.
Finish the straight edge (use a zigzag seam or a serger).

Stitch the piping to the edge of the right side of the pocket. Stitch close to the cord in your piping using your zipper foot (or piping foot if you have one).

 Press the seam allowance and the piping (except the cord of course) to the left side. Fold in 2 cm of the straight egde and stich in place about 1.5 cm in.

Stitch the pockets to your trousers after you have closed the side seam. Use your zipper (piping) foot and stitch as close to the cord as possible.

Piping between two pieces of fabric/ piping edges

To insert piping between two seams or to add to an edge between main fabric and lining you stitch the piping to your main fabric as described above.

Before you press your seams, you sew the lining to the main fabric (or your two pieces of fabric together) right sides facing. The piping is between the fabrics. Sew as close to the cord as you can (zipper foot...), but be careful nor to sew through it.
Turn and press (edges) or press fabrics apart the way they are supposed to be and topstitch close to the cord (edges) or about 0.5 cm from it to secure the seam allowances.