I'm making some throw pillows and I wanted to use up some extra home decor fabric that is 54" wide (on the bolt) and 3" long -- so I figured it was just about enough to cover the cording for one or two pillows. However, everything I am reading says that I have to cut the cording fabric on the bias. Obviously, with only three inches to work with -- I don't have enough to cut it on the bias (or I would end up with a gazillion seams in the cording, which is not cool).
WHY do I have to cut the fabric for my cording on the bias? What would happen if I didn't? (I don't want to buy more fabric for the cording (trying to be frugal). I asked a woman working at my local fabric store and she said something about needing stretch and also so that it did not shrink and pucker when I washed my pillow coverings. However, I have already washed all of this fabric, so why would it shrink? And why do I need stretch when I cover the cording?
2007-11-01 10:37:10 · 4 answers · asked by Janade 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Unless your pillow fabric is one that would be ruined by taking out a seam later on, I think it is worth a try. Bias fabric does handle the corners better, without twisting or doing anything strange. It also lasts longer without scuffing. But if you do it with the knowledge that you may have to take it apart someday to re-do the piping, you may end up very happy with it.
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2007-11-01 11:21:29 · answer #1 · answered by Kacky 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason for cording or piping the edge is to protect the edge from wear. The piping or cording is *intended* to wear out. If the color and design are good, go ahead and use the stuff on-grain instead of on-bias. Then you can speak from experience later. :-) You'll know after the first pillow whether or not it just won't work on corners or curves. It wont' work for sharp corners though, that's basic.
You could curve the corners or add tassels to camouflage the lesser flexibility of on-grain piping.
2007-11-01 18:10:24 · answer #2 · answered by h_brida 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've made cording with scrap material too. Never put on the bias. My pillow came out fine, washed fine, and still look good too.
2007-11-01 10:46:37 · answer #3 · answered by Mona 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason for making cording cover on bias is so it is stretchy! That is the only reason for making bias anyway for anything.
No you don't have to make it bias. I have done it both ways.
2007-11-01 11:45:54 · answer #4 · answered by Nana Lamb 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋