How to sew piping - Sewing technical tutorial
What is Piping, and What is it Used For?
Piping is a small cord encased in bias tape or decorative ribbon. It is a finishing element, decorative, and used for accessories, clothing, or home furnishings. Piping is used to create nice edges or to decorate the junction of two pieces of fabric. The ribbon is cut on the bias, making it more elastic and thus more able to adapt to the shape of the fabric it is applied to.
Piping is inserted between two pieces of fabric and can be solid or patterned. It can be sewn from different materials. We recommend choosing piping of the same material or a matching material for your project. Generally, poplin piping adapts to most fabrics. There are also pipings made of viscose, satin (perfect for pajamas), or even lurex. You can create your own piping or buy ready-made piping from a haberdashery.
To sew piping, you will need:
- Piping
- Fabric
- A zipper foot*
- A needle suitable for the fabric
- Thread
- Pins
- A pair of scissors
Note: There are presser feet specifically designed for piping. They are equipped with a notch to slide the piping's cord inside, making sewing easier. They are useful but not necessary. You can also sew your piping with an invisible zipper foot.
How to Choose the Right Piping for My Project?
This decision is up to you; there is no right or wrong answer. The criteria to consider relate to the aesthetics of your project. Specifically, when looking to use piping, you need to consider its thickness, material, and color.
Can I Create My Own Piping?
Yes, it's not very complicated! To do this, you will need bias tape, matching thread, a cord of the desired thickness, and a zipper foot or invisible zipper foot. You can easily make the bias tape yourself from your fabric.
- Unfold the Bias Tape: Open the bias tape by unfolding the edges, place the cord inside and in the center. Align the edges of the bias tape and pin along the length.
- Set Up Your Sewing Machine: Replace your presser foot with the zipper foot.
- Position Your Elements: Place your bias tape and move your needle as close to the cord as possible.
- Sew: Sew as usual with a straight stitch from one edge to the other, remembering to backstitch.
How to Sew Piping
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Prepare Your First Fabric: Place the piping on the right side of the first fabric with the cord facing inward and pin everything together. The edge of the bias tape surrounding the piping should be placed on the edges of the fabric. Remember to take your seam allowances into account: the seam allowance of your pattern is not necessarily equal to that of your piping.
- Example: If my pattern includes a 1 cm seam allowance and my piping has a 0.5 cm seam allowance, I need to shift my piping 0.5 cm inward from the edge of my fabric. The cord of the piping should therefore be 1 cm from the edge, at the location of the final seam.
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Sew: Take your time to ensure that your seam stays straight, as any deviations will be noticeable. Sew as close to the cord as possible with a straight stitch.
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Prepare Your Second Fabric: Place your second fabric right sides together with the first, sandwiching the piping, and pin.
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Sew: Sew again, following the stitches from the previous seam for the best result. Be careful to sew as close to the cord as possible and take your time.
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Press: A good pressing will result in a much neater finish.
How to Sew Piping on a Curve
Since piping is cut on the bias, it should be flexible enough to follow your curve without needing to be notched. If this is not the case, you can simply make a notch every 1 to 2 cm.
For a seam without notches, the technique remains the same. For a seam with notches, use the technique for sewing piping in a corner.
How to Sew Piping in a Corner
To sew piping in a corner, it is important to take your time. This is a delicate step that will make a big difference if done well.
- Pin Your Piping: Pin it edge to edge on both sides of the corner. You will notice that your piping lifts at the corner. If you sew directly on it, you will form pleats during sewing. To avoid this, notch your piping at the corner. Once the piping is notched, it will adapt to the corner much more easily, and you will be able to pin it flat more easily. Finish pinning your piping.
- Sew: With your zipper foot, sew up to the corner, sewing as close to the cord as possible before slowing down and guiding your work around the corner. Take your time; you can sew stitch by stitch with the handwheel of your machine. This step is crucial for the quality of your finishes. Once past the corner, continue sewing to the other end. Don't forget to backstitch!
- Notch the Excess: Notch the excess fabric at the corner behind your seam so that it is less bulky once the project is assembled.
How to Join Piping
To join piping, you need to start by leaving a small margin of piping unsewn.
- Expose the Cord: Unstitch the seam of your piping for a few centimeters so that the cord is visible. Unstitch it until the two sewn ends meet perfectly without excess. For a better finish, you can cut the excess cord and the excess piping on the opposite side at the same time to ensure they are well aligned.
- Wrap the Piping: Cover the sewn end of the piping with the unstitched end. For a clean finish, fold a small hem on the outer end of the piping. Take your time to properly position the cords and the fabric hem; this is important and will make all the difference.
- Pin and Sew: Pin everything in place and sew along your previous seam. You can also baste your seam for better stability.
And that's it! You've just created beautiful finishes perfect for all your future projects!
I Still Have Questions:
If you have other questions, feel free to contact us directly by email at contact@ikatee.fr, and our team will be happy to answer all your inquiries! Your comments, feedback, and ideas are important to us.