What’s the Project? Need to learn how to make piping for all your sewing projects? Follow this easy sewing tutorial to learn how to sew piping and you can add it to pillows, cushions and all of your fun sewing projects.
Have you ever used piping in a sewing project? It’s a tiny little accent but it adds a nice flair to something as simple as a pillow or a cushion.
And guess what? It’s actually super easy to make. Learn how to make piping today with this simple, easy to follow tutorial.
It’s fun and easy and you can do it! Then you will want to add piping to all the things!
How to Sew Piping:
Supplies Needed:
- Fabric-long and narrow strips cut about 1 and 1/2 inches wide (you can also use bias tape-just iron it flat)
- Cording (choose a width that is the size you want your piping to be) You should be able to find this by the yard at the fabric store.
How to Make Piping Instructions:
Cut your fabric into strips that are about an inch and a half wide. *Note-these should be cut on the bias. Your piping will work much better that way. You technically can do it any way you want, but on the bias is the preferred method. (Don’t know much about the bias? Check out my ebook.)
Place your cording in the center:
Fold the fabric in half over the cording and pin it:
Put your zipper foot on your machine and move your needle as far to the left as you can (or to the right if you prefer to sew it that way). Sew along the cording as close as you can get to it:
And that’s it! You’ve got piping! (Your stitching will actually be closer to the cording than in this picture.)
To sew it into your project you want to pin it along the edge of your fabric like this:
Best practice is to sew a straight line along there to keep the cording in place. Then, place your other fabric over the top and sew just like you normally would (to make for example a pillow):
What can you make with piping? Pillows, blankets, cushions, crib bumpers, bench pads, you name it! Just have fun with it! It adds so much flair. I hope this helped you learn how to make piping and you have fun sewing all the things!
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shannon says
February 3, 2014 at 11:27 amOh my goodness! I’ve assumed pipping was super tough so hadn’t yet tried it, but wow you make it look so easy. Thank you!
Katherine says
February 4, 2014 at 7:48 amI had too assumed it would be tough! You make it look sooooooo easy! Thank you!
Claud Sparks says
July 24, 2015 at 4:44 amI found a similar piece sometime ago. I don’t think it was by this person. However it is very simple and fast. If an old cowboy, retired needing to keep his hands busy can do it, you can too.
Jack Shannon says
March 27, 2016 at 2:22 pmI only wish it showed how to join two pieces together.
But, that said, it was a good tute..
Jasmine says
January 7, 2017 at 7:19 pmJack, I would assume if you want a longer piece of piping you would just sew the ends of fabric together until its long enough then place the cord in the middle and sew it up as the instructions above say. Hope this helps!
Bonnie Spielman says
February 28, 2018 at 3:58 pmYou join more strips together by placing the end of one strip face up and one face down on top forming a L or corner. Sew across those on the diagonal from corner to corner. Trim off excess leaving about ¼ inch. Press seam open. I wish I could post a picture but I do not see any option to do that.
Rose says
March 14, 2018 at 2:10 pmThats correct Jasmine.
Mitchell says
December 4, 2018 at 7:26 pmWith the proper pressure foot ,you will line up against the cord, on the top of material. From there you can see how to sew piece and material together . Happy sewing . PS cann’t do with a regular pressure foot
Holly isaacs says
February 3, 2014 at 1:41 pmCan’t wait to try this!
Carmen says
February 3, 2014 at 3:44 pmI’m a total newbie but this is my next project and the last couple pictures confused me :( so it looks like you’d want to sew the piping on the other way? but then you pin fabric on top and sew again? Do you then fold the fabric some way to show the piping?
Wonderful site, by the way and I’m LOVING all the great tips I’m learning :)
Amber says
February 4, 2014 at 1:56 pmYou pin it on the way shown and sew along the raw edge (the edge you cut) then layer the other fabric on and sew again. Once you turn it all right side out it will be just where you want it.
Jenn says
February 3, 2014 at 8:31 pmI thought piping was much harder than this. I was told I needed a piping foot. You make it look so easy. Pinned this and definitely will try my hand at this soon. :-)
Bonnie Spielman says
February 28, 2018 at 4:01 pmPiping can be any size, depending on the size of cord you use. Piping can be called piping, cording, beading. It is really easy and a zipper foot is really the only foot you need.
Terry says
February 4, 2014 at 2:49 amI have been sewing for almost 50 years and the thing a lot of people don’t know or forget, is to always cut the strips for making piping on the bias of the fabric. This will allow the piping to ease at the corners without the puckering that using fabric on the straight edge does.
Amber says
February 4, 2014 at 1:55 pmTrue, I should add that. But as soon as I say the word “bias” I know people are going to freak out a little. :)
Lynn Gee says
March 13, 2017 at 6:33 pmI have a couple more tips.
#1 – If you can get a cording foot for your sewing machine, it is well worth the expense. I have three sizes for my commercial machine and use all three of them all the time. I also make my cording first, then switch to a zipper foot and attach it as described below
#2 – If you have trouble with the cording puckering or the fabric puckering (which will cause it to be shorter), sew with the cording on the bottom. The feed dogs pull the bottom fabric through faster than the top layer that glides more smoothly under the pressure foot. Putting the cording on the bottom, causes it to be eased just slightly and will give you a much nicer finish. (I’ve never tried sandwiching it and sewing it all at once.) This method does require two rows of stitching to attach all layers, but it has always worked well for me. You can usually feel where the cording is without too much trouble. Just run it as close as you can get it to the presser foot. If it is not close enough to cover the stitching on the cording, try to get it a little closer when you attach the second piece of fabric.
Hope this makes sense!
CM says
February 14, 2014 at 9:53 amI too, am a 50+ year seamstress and I agree with Terry, the fabric must be cut on the bias even if it is piping for a straight line item. The art of sewing has a set of guidelines, or rules, if you will. There is nothing scary about cutting on the bias. Teach that principle and your students will thank you and love you forever. Your sewing looks beautiful and I’m sure many
folks love and appreciate your excellent
work. Stay on the sunny side, even when it
means mentioning the parts of sewing that
can be challenging to some. My mom was
also an incredible seamstress, I was, sadly,
reluctant to pay attention to the details she
knew would make me an excellent seamstress. I do however remember
watching her sew and confess she COULD make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. Love you for being a dedicated mom!
Blessings,
CM
Amber says
February 18, 2014 at 4:09 pmYou’re right that it should be done that way. I will add that in. I just completed a project that I created my own piping for and I didn’t cut on the bias because the fabric was striped and I needed to use just one color. It worked fine but I am sure it would be better done on the bias.
Stephanie says
February 15, 2014 at 3:03 amI *always* avoid projects with piping as I could never work out how to get it right … Too baggy, too uneven … Grrrrrr. Thank you so much for posting this, it looks so much simpler, and so effective. Thank you thank you.
Now where is that cording, I feel the need to pipe something …
Amber says
February 18, 2014 at 4:04 pmAfter my most recent project I am feeling like you do about piping. I didn’t do so well.
Joyce says
February 17, 2014 at 7:32 amPiping makes a nice compliment on a quilt (on long stretches such as around the sashing, etc.).
Susan says
February 18, 2014 at 8:55 pmI am a complete novice at piping and have only attempted it once. I owe a debt of gratitude to all the bloggers, like yourself, that give us the courage to try new skills. Thank you for that! I found a great tutorial on cutting on the bias and not wasting a spec of fabric and another that has great pics for how to finish off your piping, such as on a pillow. Hope you don’t mind me adding them to further the courage you gave us to add detail to our projects. It’s all in the details!
http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2012/01/piping-tutorial-bee-happy-pillow.html
although it is bias tape, the same premise applies:
http://prudentbaby.com/2010/05/hot-mess/tips/how-to-make-bias-tape-2/
Peg says
March 3, 2014 at 8:07 amOk, thanks to your great tutorial, I’m going to try it again! Seems my zipper foot never gets close enough, because I was going from the other side. Thanks!
Maria says
March 22, 2014 at 8:52 pmDo u remove the rope or keep it in??
Amber says
March 24, 2014 at 12:46 pmKeep it in.
Embroiderymad says
April 5, 2014 at 7:20 pmThank you for the great tutorial, I have a project in mind for using piping.
JHanna says
April 16, 2014 at 12:03 pmI am adding a link to my blog post today! Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial!
Sheila says
April 28, 2014 at 1:24 pmI cannot wait to try this! The very first time that I learned to make binding, my instructor taught bias-binding. It is the ONLY way that I have ever made binding. I love it! So, making the piping on the bias will not scare me at all. Great blog and great follow up comments! =D
Marie says
June 16, 2014 at 10:59 amI am so excited! I always thought piping was much more difficult and now I think I can actually do it! Thank you!
alisha says
July 22, 2014 at 9:44 amWhat does cut on the bias mean?
Amber says
August 3, 2014 at 9:56 pmThe bias is the diagonal of the fabric
Carolyn says
July 25, 2014 at 7:51 amCan’t wait to try it!! Instructions are very understandable
Joan says
August 1, 2014 at 2:54 pmCan you tell me how to turn a corner with piping and how to join two ends? (Both techniques are necessary, I think, for piping a pillow on all sides.)
Amber says
August 2, 2014 at 10:09 pmGo turn corners you just do the same thing as normal but guide it carefully around the corner making sure to leave enough piping in place that it doesn’t pull the corner. Then at the end you will pull part of the piping behind the other just for a little ways so that it overlaps just a little and then tuck it in to the pillow.
mitzi says
September 6, 2014 at 10:42 amTo ease corners,sew to where you want to turn,back stitch a few stitches ,clip to the stitching of the cording ,turn your work stitch ,
a few stitches ,back stitch a few and then continue sewing
Leslie Slavens says
September 6, 2014 at 11:04 amThe machine and foot one uses makes a difference. What is your machine may I ask?
Amber says
September 6, 2014 at 6:41 pmI use a nice janome
Amy B says
November 2, 2014 at 4:49 pmWow! Thank you so much for this tutorial! I am so excited
To
Try this one out when I make my pillows soon! I wasn’t even going to attempt piping until now :) I just have one rookie question! If I want to go all around the pillow is it just one consecutive pipe or four little ones? :/ if that makes sense? :))
Amber says
November 2, 2014 at 5:56 pmYes, just turn at the corners so that it is just one
Jill says
November 25, 2014 at 9:08 pmIn the last step when you sew the piping between the layers do you still use the zipper foot, or a regular foot?
Amber says
November 28, 2014 at 8:45 amEither but the zipper foot will help you get a closer seam.
Peanuts & Thread says
December 13, 2014 at 11:42 pmThanks for the tutorial. I’ve been sewing for a while now and recently starting the home home decor stuff and many tricks that are hardly mentioned in these tutorials sometimes make all the difference. Nice job! Thank you!
Heidi S says
January 5, 2015 at 7:57 amThank you so much for this tutorial! It makes piping soooo much easier than i was making it. :)
Rachel says
January 8, 2015 at 1:39 pmhi
I’m a complete novice to the sewing world and have only managed bunting ( by the mile for friends and family) and a basic cushion cover. My aim this year is to learn lots of new techniques, and I think the first will be this pipping. You’ve made it look so easy and unscary.
Thank you
Fee says
January 30, 2015 at 3:28 pmin your picture when you are first sewing the piping cord into the Fabric you are using a zipper foot as opposed to a normal foot, I’ve found that using a zipper foot (or you can get a piping foot if you are a purest) gets you much closer to the piping cord for a snugger fit then you can sew on whichever side is easiest for you easier? X
Amber says
January 31, 2015 at 3:11 pmYes!
Marnie says
February 21, 2015 at 5:15 pmThe only thing I would add, especially if you are sewing on heavier home dec fabric, is to not sew as close as you can when you are making the piping. Otherwise when you add the two layers of fabric that you are sewing the piping between, your needle may never get as close as the first stitching and your origional stitches may show.
Otherwise great pics and tutorial.
Amber says
February 23, 2015 at 11:17 amGood point!
Louise says
March 15, 2015 at 2:44 pmI need to make 22 ft of piping, but don’t know how much fabric to buy.
Amber says
March 15, 2015 at 9:06 pmYou can cut strips and sew them together, so you don’t need a ton. Cut your strips just an inch or two wide.
Louise says
March 15, 2015 at 10:23 pmThanks, I’ll try one yard and get more if I need it.
Anita says
March 28, 2015 at 6:22 pmIn a college sewing class we learned a technique called “continuous bias”. It is not difficult but too involved to explain here. Google it and you will find clear instructions with photos. It will make you “miles” of bias without wasting fabric. Hope it goes well for you!
Louise says
March 30, 2015 at 9:51 pmThank you so much. I will Google “Continuious Bias”
Patrick says
February 23, 2016 at 3:18 pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZUJknZ6aC0#t=954.77527833
continuous bias tutorial here for you all
Cathy says
March 19, 2017 at 8:44 amI found a tutorial on Pinterest about making continuous bias strips from a square piece of fabric. Have to read it a few times to make sense, but is very simple when you figure it out. It has you draw the lines to make the width you need, but on the second piece I just eyeballed it and they came out fine. Saved many minutes of tedious marking!!! Happy bias tape making!,,
Leslie says
March 16, 2015 at 7:37 amAmber,
it takes 1/2 yard to make 5 yards of piping, don’t forget to cut them on the bias
Sharron sturgeon says
June 22, 2015 at 7:54 amVery helpful thank you .
Beverly Rutherford says
June 24, 2015 at 2:14 amA friend just gave me two adult size shoe boxes full of bias tape in various colors. I wondered what I was going to do with it all. Now I know I’ll be using a good share of t for piping in many projects. Thanks for the tips.
Beverly
Louise Allen says
July 1, 2015 at 10:30 amMy piping came out great and my cushions look good. I was worried I’d run out of piping, but I had about one yard left.
Midian says
July 18, 2015 at 11:16 pmObrigada Amber..Beijos….
Susanna says
August 13, 2015 at 1:23 amGreat tip!
Will do this!
Thank you.
Marjorie G says
September 22, 2015 at 9:36 amThank you for your help! This post is very useful to me right now!
My Handmade Space says
February 12, 2016 at 3:10 pmI like custom made piping because you can use all kind of fabrics to make your projects more interesting. It is lot easier with a piping presser foot.
Louise says
February 21, 2016 at 9:17 pmMy piping came out great! It wasn’t even hard. I don’t mind doing it again!
Donna says
February 21, 2016 at 5:54 pmThank you.
Nikki says
March 15, 2016 at 6:41 pmThanks for making this look so easy! I will definitely give it a go. :)
hvu says
March 25, 2016 at 6:15 amVery easy techniqie. Thanks for sharing. I will try this.
susan says
April 26, 2016 at 5:29 pmi am making cushions for outdoor furniture.
can plain rope be used for piping instead of purchasing the cotton cording?
i need a total of 80 yds and it will be pricey to buy the cording.
Amber says
April 29, 2016 at 7:13 amSure!
Barbara says
June 14, 2016 at 7:50 pmThis was hands down the BEST tutorial on how to make and sew piping! Thank you! I have pinned this and will be forever grateful:+)!!
Karen says
July 23, 2016 at 11:59 amThank you for the great tutorial on French piping. So I made my own piping and used it on the neck and armholes of a sundress. The only problem is that it won’t lay flat, in that the neck piping doesn’t lay flat against my skin, it kind of sticks out. I have snipped the inside curves thinking this would help. Can you give me your opinion as to why the piping won’t lay flat. Is there something I could have done to eliminate this problem? Thanking you in advance.
Amber says
August 7, 2016 at 10:00 pmDid you do it on the bias?
Shirley E. says
April 4, 2018 at 6:39 pmKaren, did you ever get the piping to lay right on your sundress, mentioned here? I’ve had things stand up because they were just a bit too long for the curved edge. To add something that sticks out on an inside curve and lays flat (as one with the fabric), it needs to be pulled just a tiny bit as you sew it on. This makes the seam allowance shorter than the seam allowance of the garment (or other item), but that seam allowance edge needs to be clipped and/or trimmed to lay flat anyway. If you got the whole piping thing, congratulations. If it still eludes you, maybe this will make a little sense and encourage you to try again. It’s worth it for the lovely finish it gives.
Karen Redick says
November 17, 2016 at 11:50 pmAn even better foot is a pintuck foot that matches the size of your cord. For baby and young child clothing, I like to make baby piping with cord much smaller than normal. It gives a nicer, finer look.
Another great tip that I came up with – if you need to make piping out of a sheer, colored fabric, use embroidery floss that matches the fabric, instrad of the white cording.
Oluchi says
December 23, 2016 at 12:31 amThank you for your great lesson.
Cheryl says
January 10, 2017 at 3:25 amKaren, your sundress piping may need understitching on the facing. That wil pull the seam with the piping slightly to the inside, which may assist in the piping lying flat. it may also be that using a smaller cord would sit better on a neckline.
Silvia says
October 6, 2017 at 2:33 amThank you! Just what I was looking for. ;)
Valmai says
April 25, 2018 at 5:23 amThank you for sharing your knowledge with us, we appreciate it. I am still learning day by day.
Dee Bell says
October 15, 2018 at 2:26 amGood tutorial, thanks. I have done piping before. I still struggle with corners and aligning the ends.