9
Feb

Sew Basics: Make Your Own Custom Piping

I think piping is one of the sweetest, most professional details you can add to children’s clothing.  It makes a some-what ordinary piece of clothing into something extraordinary.  There are many different colors and sizes of piping that you can purchase pre-made in the notions section of your local sewing store, but did you know that you can make your own?

Making your own piping is really fun, very easy, and super affordable.  I love tying a garment together with piping in a coordinated, printed fabric.  Last week in my vintage/retro “Project Run and Play” outfit, I added custom piping into the peter-pan collar and I thought I would share the how-to with you today.

Make Your Own Custom Piping
Supplies:
Bias cut fabric strips (1″-1.5″ wide)
Cotton cording
Sewing machine
Directions:
First, you will need bias-cut strips of fabric.  To cut your fabric on the bias, you will need to cut it at a 45 degree angle against the grain.  Do this exactly the same way you would if you were making bias-tape.  I cut my fabric 1.5″ wide and then cut it down after I make my piping based on the seam allowance I’m using for my design.  You could certainly cut it more narrow – say 3/4″ – 1″ if you know your seam allowance is smaller – I just like have more fabric to work with.
Also, you don’t need much fabric unless you are planning to make a lot of piping.  If you are making a large amount of piping, sew each bias strip of fabric together as you would when making bias tape.
Next you will need cotton cording.  The size of the cording is going to be up to you – it depends on how large you want your piping.  If you are inserting the piping into a children’s garment, I recommend a very small cord; however, if you are making piping for the edge of a pillow, you are going to want something much larger.  This cording can be found in the notions section or the upholstery section of your sewing store.
I’ve also heard that you can use a worsted-weight cotton yard as cording, but I have yet to give that one a try.
Lay your cotton cording in the center of your bias strip.  Fold the bias strip in half over the cording so that both raw edges are lined up together.
Next, you need to baste your fabric around the cording.  I use a straight stitch set at 3.5 for basting.  You want to run your stitching as close to the cording as possible without actually stitching into the cording.

Here is what your piping looks like after you have basted it together.  Normally I would use a coordinating thread, but I wanted you to be able to see the stitching.  After this step, I like to cut the raw edge of the bias cut fabric down to the seam allowance that I am using in my design (whether it be 5/8″, 1/2″, or 1/4″).

If you are making lots of piping to save for future projects, I would recommend going with a wider cut bias strip and then cutting down the raw edge based on the seam allowance for each individual project.

Once you have your beautiful custom piping, you can follow my “Piping Tutorial” to insert it into a garment.
Click HERE to learn how to insert piping.

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14 Comments

  1. Sharon says
    February 9, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    Thanks so much for sharing! I have been wanting to make my own piping for a while. What kind of foot pedal are you using to sew the piping?

  2. Anna says
    February 9, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    awesome lindsay. 🙂 I love piping. I always have a hard time finding cotton cording around here, hopefully I’ve always just been looking in the wrong spot!

  3. Amy @ Positively Splendid says
    February 9, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    What a beautiful, easy-to-follow tutorial! It is amazing what a lovely difference this makes over the prepackaged version!

  4. Mommy Webb says
    February 9, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    You are so great at giving basic directions that even a true novice like me can follow!

  5. Polka says
    February 9, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Thank you so very much – I have yet to try sewing with piping. Now I think I’m ready (with the computer and your tutorial right next to me)

    I love your blog, by the way. So many lovely pictures and inspirering things!

    Polka
    – from Denmark 😉

  6. Brittney says
    February 10, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    I use my zipper foot so that the needle can get as close as possible to the cording and give it an even look with little work. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Rachel says
    February 11, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Thank you for sharing. I love the look of piping but so far my attempts haven’t turned out quite right. I look forward to finally getting it right with your help.

  8. sara-anne photography says
    February 11, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    I love that!

  9. Clodagh a.k.a. Isra says
    March 21, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    thanks Lindsay, I learn so much from your blog and I was inspired tonight reading your guest blog. I live in Oman and it is very hard to get good sewing materials and notions so this post is going to be bookmarked for one of my more adventurous days 😉

  10. sertyan says
    April 18, 2011 at 1:37 AM

    I tried your tutorial on making your own piping and piping installation last week, I am so happy how it turned out on my dress, Thank You!

    You can see it here

    http://sertyan.blogspot.com/2011/04/another-peter-pan-collar-dress.html

    I also used your Party Dress Tutorial the other time. Thank you.

  11. Kris Davis says
    May 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Looks easy peasy! And I always thought piping was so intimidatingly difficult. The instructions that came with my pattern were far more in depth and yes, scary to me. I feel much more confident after your tutorial!!!!

    Thanks again for sharing your vast knowledge in a way that beginners can understand!!

    Kris

  12. Anonymous says
    November 18, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Hi..I have become a great fan of ur website as of recent..Love the designs and vibrant colors..Could you include a tutorial for floppy hat(one like which Savannah wears in a page that I visited)..I have a 9-year-old daughter and would like to try it out..Happy Xmas and God bless..

  13. Julie says
    November 13, 2012 at 10:40 AM

    Do you have a tutorial for this dress? I would love to do a dress that buttons down the front with the peter pan collar! So cute! Most dresses have a zipper in the back 🙁

  14. Cindy says
    May 12, 2013 at 5:51 PM

    This is a great tutorial, thanks.