Sewing Techniques

Embellishing with Cording

Couching down cords, braids, ribbons and trims adds another dimension to fabric, providing texture and surface interest. Wendy Gardiner provides some tips on using a cording foot.

Cording feet have holes or tunnels for 3, 5 or 7 cords to be fed through and sewn in place in one pass. Of course, you don’t have to utilise all the positions and can indeed attach a single cord.

A braiding foot has a similar purpose, but it has a larger hole for thicker cords or fine ribbons and braids.

Best of all, any basic sewing machine can be used as it is simply a matter of changing the presser foot.

Use this technique to decorate last year’s outfit or add some pizzazz to plain T-shirts or cushion covers. Add cording around cuffs, collars or down the front and hemline on edge to edge jackets. Once you’ve had a go, you’ll find all sorts of applications!

Threading the cord

The cords are threaded from front, through holes or tunnel and then under the foot.

HANDY HINT: Knot the cord ends together once threaded through so none slips out before you start stitching! It’s also good idea to mark a stitching line on the fabric to ensure a straight line.

Select a stitch, such as three step zigzag or a smocking stitch and increase width and length to cover/anchor all cords.

Hold the cords parallel in front to help feed them evenly.

Cording feet are used with fine cords or braids. Embroidery flosses, knitting yarns or fine cords are ideal.

You can choose to sew with threads to match or contrast with the cording. You can add decorative stitching in contrast colours to make the whole embellishment really stand out and become an eye-catching feature or you can use invisible thread so the trim stands out alone.

Of course, you can couch or gimp cords down without using a cording foot. Simply feed them under the regular zigzag presser foot and hold in front as you sew. Again drawing a line to follow on the fabric will make it easier to guide both fabric and cord. Use a zigzag stitch to anchor the thread in place.

This article has been prepared by Wendy Gardiner, Editor of Sewing World. Wendy has recently launched a new DVD entitled Sew Easy, Fabulous Feet in which she shows how to use and enjoy the many basic and specialist feet available for all sewing machines. For more details of the DVD, published by Traplet Publications, visit: www.sewingworldmagazine.com.