Step-by-Step Guide to How to Sew Piping on A Pillow

Introduction to Piping on Pillows

Piping adds an elegant touch to any pillow. It’s a strip of fabric that is folded over a cord. How to sew piping on a pillow? This technique creates a nice, clean edge and adds a pop of color or contrast. Piping outlines the shape, giving pillows a more defined and luxurious look.

For those who are new to sewing, don’t worry. Learning how to sew piping on a pillow is not as hard as it seems. You can get a customized look easily with a little practice. Piping can also hide sewing imperfections. This makes it a great choice for beginners.

Let’s get started with what you will need. Having the right materials and tools is key. In the next sections, we will explore what items you require for your sewing project. Follow this guide and soon you’ll be making pillows with beautiful piping just like the pros.

Materials Required for Sewing Piping

Before diving into the step-by-step process on how to sew piping on a pillow, ensure you have all necessary materials. Quality materials lead to a better finish and easier sewing experience. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Piping cord forms the core of your piping. It’s vital for a well-defined edge. Select a thickness that complements your pillow size.
• Fabric strips to cover the piping cord. Choose fabric that either matches or contrasts with your pillow material. Ensure it’s wide enough to encase the cord and seam allowances.
• Matching thread to blend with your fabric. This provides a seamless look when you sew.
• Bias tape if you prefer a pre-made option. This can save you time, but limits customizability.

Remember, the right materials not only assist in how to sew piping on a pillow but also influence the durability and aesthetic appeal of the final product.

Tools Needed for Piping Installation

To properly install piping on your pillow, you will need several tools. They help streamline the process, allowing for a polished finish. These include:

• Sewing machine: A basic sewing machine capable of zigzag or straight stitching is necessary. Make sure it can handle the fabric and thickness of your piping.
• Zipper foot or piping foot: These special sewing feet give you closer access to the piping cord. This ensures tighter stitching. If you don’t have one, a zipper foot works as a good substitute.
• Fabric scissors: Sharp scissors are crucial for cutting fabric and trimming excess material.
• Chalk or fabric marking pen: Use these to mark guidelines on your fabric. This ensures your piping aligns perfectly with the fabric edges.
• Measuring tape: Measure lengths and ensure the accuracy of your fabric strips and piping placement.
• Pins or clips: These are essential for holding the fabric and piping in place while you sew.

Each tool plays a significant role in how to sew piping on a pillow. Without these, creating precise and neat piping might be challenging. Gather these tools before you start to ensure you are prepared for each step of the process.

Cutting and Preparing the Piping

To begin, you’ll need to prepare your fabric strips for the piping. Start by cutting the fabric on the bias; this means cutting the fabric at a 45-degree angle to the weave. This allows the fabric to stretch slightly, making it easier to sew around the pillow corners.

Here’s a step-by-step to cut and prepare the piping:

1. Measure the Cord and Fabric: Determine the length of your piping cord based on the perimeter of your pillow. Add a few extra inches for joining ends. Measure and cut your bias strips wide enough to encase the cord and include seam allowances.
2. Create Bias Strips: Cut your fabric into strips at a 45-degree angle. Ensure each strip is consistent in width. You can use a ruler and chalk to mark your lines before cutting.
3. Join the Strips: If your strips are not long enough, you may need to join them. Do this by placing the ends at a right angle and sewing across. Trim off the excess corner.
4. Encase the Cord: Wrap the bias strips around your piping cord. Pin it in place or use clips if you find it easier. The fabric should be snug but not too tight around the cord.
5. Baste the Fabric: With your sewing machine set to a long stitch length, baste close to the cord. This temporarily holds the fabric together. Move slowly to maintain control and keep close to the cord without stitching into it.

Preparing your piping correctly sets the foundation for a beautifully finished pillow. Take your time with this step to ensure your piping is smooth and even.

Attaching Piping to One Side of the Pillow

After preparing your piping, it’s time to attach it to the pillow. This step lays the groundwork for the pillow’s final look. You’ll need patience and precision here.

1. Align the Piping: Start by aligning the piping to the right side of one pillow piece. The raw edges should match the pillow’s edge.
2. Pin in Place: Carefully pin the piping around the pillow’s edges. Keep the pins close to the cord inside the piping for accuracy.
3. Tack the Piping: Use a basting stitch or a long stitch length. Tack the piping onto the fabric. This keeps everything in place for the final sewing.
4. Machine Sew: Replace the basting stitch with a regular stitch. Use your zipper foot or piping foot here. Sew as close to the cord as you can without stitching it.
5. Corner Precision: Slow down your sewing as you approach corners. Ensure the piping curves neatly around them.
6. Maintain Tension: Keep the fabric and piping taut. But, don’t pull too hard. You aim for even, wrinkle-free attachment.

Once done, your piping should sit evenly against one side of the pillow, ready for the next step. The aim is a crisp edge that enhances your pillow’s shape and style. Stay patient and attentive to achieve a professional finish.

Sewing Piping Around the Pillow Corners

Navigating the corners while attaching piping is critical for a refined look. Here’s how to ensure crisp, clean corners on your pillow.

1. Approach with Caution: When you reach a corner, reduce your sewing speed. This gives you more control.
2. Pin Generously: Before sewing, pin the piping firmly around the corner. Use enough pins to maintain the shape.
3. Sewing the Corner: Keep the needle down in the fabric when turning the corner. Lift the foot and pivot the fabric slightly.
4. Smooth Transition: Continue to gently guide the fabric and piping. Ensure the piping cord remains tucked in snugly.
5. Adjust the Tension: Maintain even tension on the fabric to avoid any puckering around the corners.

By paying extra attention to the way you handle corners, you can achieve professional-grade results in your pillow design. Patience here pays off with a beautifully edged pillow.

Joining and Finishing the Piping Ends

Joining and finishing the piping ends are essential for a seamless look. Here’s a simple way to achieve it.

1. Trim the Ends: Before joining, trim the piping ends to the same length.
2. Overlap the Ends: Overlap the ends of your piping by about an inch. This hides any gaps.
3. Open the Seams: Carefully open the seams of your bias fabric on both ends.
4. Insert One End into the Other: Tuck one end of the piping inside the opened seam of the other. Ensure it fits snugly.
5. Pin the Insertion in Place: Secure this arrangement with pins to maintain the position during sewing.
6. Stitch the Joint: Using your sewing machine, stitch across the overlapped area. Stay close to the piping cord inside.
7. Inspect the Finish: Check that the join is not bulky and the piping aligns well.
8. Final Trim and Tuck: Trim any excess fabric and tuck any loose ends. This keeps your work neat.

Take your time with these steps to ensure the piping ends join nicely. This affects the overall aesthetic of your pillow. Properly finished ends make the pillow look professionally made.

Assembling the Pillow with Piping

After successfully sewing the piping around the pillow, assembling the pillow is the final step. Here is how to do it effectively:

1. Lay the Fabric Pieces: Place the two pieces of your pillow fabric right sides together. Ensure the piping is sandwiched between them.
2. Pin Together: Pin the fabric pieces together along the edges, where the piping has been attached. Make sure the pins are close to the piping cord.
3. Sew the Pieces: Using your sewing machine set with a zipper foot, sew the fabric pieces together. Follow the line where you attached the piping. Be careful to not sew on the cord.
4. Check the Corners: As you sew, ensure that the corners are well-shaped and that the piping curves neatly.
5. Trim the Excess: After sewing, trim any excess fabric from the inside to reduce bulk.
6. Turn Right Side Out: Carefully turn your pillow right side out. Push out the corners gently to form sharp edges.
7. Press the Pillow: Use an iron to press the edges of the pillow, making sure the piping looks crisp and neat.
8. Close the Opening: If there is an opening left for stuffing, hand stitch it closed after filling the pillow with your chosen material.

By following these steps, you ensure that your pillow with piping looks professionally made and ready to enhance any room’s decor. This final assembly is crucial for showcasing the precision and care you’ve taken in earlier steps.