How to Make Upholstery Piping: 13 Steps
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Piping is a decorative trim that adds a professional touch and visual interest to upholstery projects. It is often used around the edges of cushions, chairs, and sofas, creating a clean and polished look. If you’re interested in learning how to make upholstery piping, follow these 13 steps.
1. Gather your materials: To make upholstery piping, you will need fabric, a ruler, scissors or a rotary cutter, matching thread, cord (for the interior of the piping), pins or fabric clips, and a sewing machine with a zipper foot.
2. Choose your fabric: When selecting fabric for piping, consider using the same fabric as the project you’re working on or a contrasting one that complements the main fabric.
3. Measure and cut the fabric: Measure the required length of piping for your project plus some extra for allowance. Cut strips of fabric at least 2 inches wide to allow for seam allowances.
4. Trim your fabric strips: If necessary, trim your strips to make sure they are even in width and free of frayed edges.
5. Prepare your cord: Measure the cord slightly longer than the length of your fabric strip and cut it accordingly.
6. Align your cord and fabric strip: Place the cord in the middle of the wrong side of your fabric strip with about half an inch excess on each end.
7. Fold and pin the fabric: Fold the fabric over the cord lengthwise, making sure it is evenly aligned on both sides. Pin or clip it in place along the length of the cord.
8. Adjust your sewing machine: Set up your sewing machine with matching thread and attach a zipper foot if you haven’t already done so.
9. Stitch close to the cord: With the zipper foot on your sewing machine, begin at one end of the pinned strip and sew it close to the cord along its entire length.
10. Trim excess fabric: Once the piping is sewn together, trim off any excess fabric to neaten the edges.
11. Prepare your upholstery project: If you haven’t already done so, cut and sew together your upholstery pieces in preparation for attaching the piping.
12. Attach the piping: Pin or clip the upholstered piping to the right side of your upholstery project, aligning the raw edges. Sew the piping onto your project using a zipper foot, following the stitching line you created earlier.
13. Finish sewing your upholstery project: Complete your upholstery item by sewing around it and trimming off any excess fabric or cord.
By following these simple steps, you will successfully create professional-looking upholstery piping that can be applied to a variety of projects. Now you can give your furnishings a touch of sophistication with this decorative technique.