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Recycled fabric makes great piping

October 9th, 2009 in sewing

Threads Magazine, contributor

1 user recommends

Photo: Scott Phillips

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I live in a very rural area with limited access to well-supplied sewing-goods stores. I wanted to apply fine-corded piping to a purse project, and because I had no cording in my stash and no local shop to visit, I invented a method that works beautifully.

I cut 1⁄4-inch-wide strips from my fabric’s selvage and twist each strip until it forms a tight “cord” that is as flexible as it is strong. I sew it into fabric bias strips in the same manner I would sew purchased piping cord to get a perfect piece of piping.

If I cut and twist a 1⁄2-inch-wide piece of selvage, a slightly larger piping forms. If the selvage has any “fringe” threads along its edge, a bumpy piping is produced, so I remove any threads before I begin.

Never again will I be halted by the unexpected need for piping cord in a sewing project.

—Terrie Brown, Morehead, Kentucky

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