Cording is the core rope inserted into piping to create structured trim for sewing projects
Is cording the same as piping?
No, cording isn’t the same as piping; cording is the inner rope, while piping is the fabric-covered trim created by wrapping fabric around the cord
Piping cord is basically a thin, round cotton rope made for sewing. To turn it into piping, you fold a bias fabric strip over the cording and stitch it into a seam. Since the cord gives the trim its shape, most crafters call the finished trim “cording” in everyday talk. The real difference? Cording starts as a standalone product, while piping is the technique that turns it into decorative trim.
What is the difference between piping and cording?
The difference is that cording is the raw inner rope, while piping is the fabric-covered trim made by encasing cording in bias-cut fabric strips
Cording comes as a standalone product, usually in cotton or polyester, and is sold by thickness and material. Piping, though, is a sewing technique that uses cording as its core to create structured trim for clothes, home decor, and accessories. The fabric covering the cording sets the trim’s color, texture, and design, while the cording itself gives it that structural “body.”
Can you make piping without cording?
Yes, you can make piping without cording, but it’ll lack structure and may look flat or limp compared to traditional piping
Without cording, the fabric strip folds flat, creating a softer edge that’s great for lightweight projects like scarves or gathered sleeves. This is easier for beginners because you don’t have to insert a cord, but it won’t hold a crisp shape like cording does. It’s perfect for delicate accents where structure isn’t a big deal.
What do you use cording for?
Cording is used to add structure, durability, and decorative detail to seams in home decor, garments, and accessories
You’ll often see it in piping on throw pillows, trim for upholstered furniture, and embellishment on bags or jackets. The Janome cording foot can even gather fabric more securely thanks to the thicker gathering cord, which helps reduce thread breakage. Cording reinforces seams and gives projects a polished, professional finish.
What is self cording?
Self cording is a length of cording covered with the same fabric as your project to create a custom, cohesive trim
This lets you match or contrast fabric with your main project for a tailored look. Self cording is a favorite for pillows, slipcovers, and upholstered furniture because it blends in seamlessly or makes a bold statement. You create it by wrapping standard cording in bias-cut strips of your chosen fabric.
What is welt cording?
Welt cording is a fabric-covered cord sewn along seams in upholstery to create a tailored, professional finish
It’s a go-to for chair cushions, sofa seams, and pillows because it adds structure and visual interest. Welt cording comes in two types: self-welt (made from the same fabric as the project) and contrasting welt (made from a different fabric). The cord’s core gives the welt its rounded profile, while the fabric covering defines its look.
What size piping is best for cushions?
For cushions, use a piping length 5 cm longer than the perimeter of the cushion pad
Say you’ve got a 46 cm × 46 cm cushion pad—you’ll need 189 cm of piping. You’ll also want a fabric strip 5 cm wide and as long as the cording length (don’t forget to account for joins). Thicker cording (3 mm to 6 mm) works best for durability and definition on cushions and upholstery. Pick a cording size that matches your project’s scale for a balanced look.
How do you use Janome cording foot?
To use a Janome cording foot, insert cording into the foot’s groove, align the fabric strip over it, and sew with a decorative stitch
- Thread your machine with matching thread and snap on the cording foot.
- Drop a single strand of cording into the center groove of the foot.
- Fold your bias fabric strip over the cording, making sure the raw edges line up.
- Feed the fabric and cording under the foot, keeping the tension even.
- Choose a decorative stitch and sew slowly, guiding the fabric so the cording stays centered.
Hold the cording tail at the back of the foot as you start stitching to avoid bunching. Try it out on scrap fabric first to get the hang of the foot’s feed and tension.
