How to Make Your Own Upholstery Cording

[@bethbilous4720]

Would you recommend cutting those piping pieces with pinking shears to prevent that ravaling?Or serging? Upholstery fabric is a ravel nightmare.

[@NaturalUpholstery]

cutting on the bias reduces fabric ravelling, or try a narrow piece of tape placed at the cut, but make sure it won't show in the finished piece.

[@worldcupwonder66]

This is really helpful, thank you, but when I did it I found cutting the strips on the bias took away the tendency for it to pucker.

[@NaturalUpholstery]

Glad it was helpful!

[@commenter1130]

This doesn't say how wide to cut the strips. I've seen 1 1/2" as a recommendation, but I use 1 3/4" for heavier fabrics that may want to ravel more. I never thought of using tweezers; that is a helpful idea.

[@NaturalUpholstery]

Good point. Yes, 1.5" is standard width to cut the strips. I often use 1 5/8" - the key for me is to get the standard 1/2 " seam allowance on the welt/cording, so you just match up the edges to whatever you're sewing it onto (such as a cushion face or boxing) and end up with a consistent 1/2" seam allowance all the way around.