Piping method

The piping is cut on the bias so it will better conform to any curves on the edges. If you use the straight of grain it will bunch and ripple.

Try it both ways with a few inches, and you'll see for yourself.

I'm sure there are websites with instructions; do a Google search for "making corded piping".

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

You can, but it's much harder to make it smooth. I wouldn't recommend straight-strip piping for a beginner.

Joy Beeson

Do a google search for "continuous bias" and invest in a quilter's ruler (6" X 24"). I just made one of these for a window seat in my husband's office (2 more to go) and the ruler really made marking the strips much easier.

Cathi

For piping on square box cushions you can cut on the straight grain! Cutting on the bias has advantages of flexibility for going round corners and curves, but if these are straight sided cushions with sharp

90 degree corners, you can cut the piping on the straight grain (either down the length of the fabric or across the width). If you have to join lengths, do the joins at 45 degrees (on the true bias) as they will show less. Try to put them somewhere inconspicuous, but not at a corner.

For the corners, baste the piping to the cushion tops, and when you get to the corner, clip the 'tape' so it turns without making an unsightly bulge and turns nice and sharp. Cut from the edge towards the holding stitches, but not through them.

On really thick furnishing fabric I hand baste the holding stitches: yes, extra work, but the then slide out easily after the cushions have been sewn, and this leaves a softer edge. I also hand baste the piping to the cushion tops (and bases, if you are piping top and bottom) for the same reason.

BTW, you should only cut piping strips on the straight grain like this out of heavy furnishing fabrics: it isn't as strong or flexible as bias strips, and on softer fabrics and for dressmaking, bias is best. For dressmaking I never use anything but bias strips unless there's a pattern on the fabric I need to follow.

You can do it with fabric cut on the straight, but you'll have no 'give' and not only will it bunch and ripple, it's just harder to work with. If you can't face the thought of cutting bias strips, you could use a knit and cut across from selvedge to selvedge instead.

:) Trish

Well, thanks to all for the good advice. Over the weekend the wife and I managed to sew the piping without to many problems.. now we have to tackle putting the whole cushion together!

Keep your fingers crossed!

Terry

---most heavy fabric can be cut on the straight of the fabric, either across or lenghwise, depending on where the excess of your fabric is, try both ways and use the one that looks the best. ( for cushions and upholstery projects) no problem. Margaret.

(snicker) Methinks someone hasn't been following the thread on what

*not* to call pe> Well, thanks to all for the good advice. Over the weekend the wife

Or else he HAS been following it, and is "taking the mickey"

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Good luck, Terry! Do we get to see pix when you're done?

Re: Piping method