Cording

Cording is a term used in textiles and crafts to describe a decorative trim made from a cord encased in fabric or stitched into a seam to create a raised line on a surface. It can refer to the cord itself or to the technique of applying it. In sewing and upholstery, cording is commonly used to add definition to edges, seams, and panels.

In upholstery, cording serves as piping along edges of furniture coverings, cushions, and drapery. The typical construction uses a core cord wrapped in fabric and inserted into a fabric channel or sewn along the edge. The resulting line can be plain or embellished with contrasting colors or textures, and it can enhance durability as well as appearance.

Materials for cording vary and include cotton, polyester, nylon, silk, wool, or blends. The fabric covering the cord can be made from cotton, linen, velvet, leather, or synthetic materials. Cords may be plain or braided, and they come in a range of diameters to suit different design needs.

Methods for making and applying cording range from hand sewing to machine stitching. A common approach is to form a fabric tube around a cord, then sew the tube into a seam or edge to produce a defined, raised trim. In fashion and accessories, cording is also used as decorative detailing on garments, bags, and shoes, as well as for functional drawstrings in various items.

Difference from piping: piping generally refers to a fabric tube that encases a cord to create a raised trim, while cording can refer more broadly to the cord itself or its application; the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday sewing.

See also: piping, welt, trim, cord.