Piping Cord

20 products

Piping cord is the core that gives fabric piping its shape — the raised, defined edge you see along the seams of a sofa cushion, a chair back, or a headboard. On its own it's just cord; sewn inside a fabric-covered strip, it's what makes an edge look tailored rather than raw.

Choosing a material

Washable and paper piping cords are the standard choice for most upholstery — washable if the finished piece might ever need cleaning, paper where cost matters more and the cord will be fully enclosed. Plastic piping cord holds its shape better over tight curves and is worth it for rounded arms or scroll-edge work. Cotton piping cord (bleached or unbleached) is the traditional choice for finer, more tailored work.

Choosing a size

Cord size is given as a number (No.3 through No.12) corresponding to roughly 3mm–6mm diameter. As a rule of thumb: finer cord (No.3–No.4) suits smaller-scale work like cushions and slim seams; heavier cord (No.5–No.6 and up) suits larger furniture edges like sofa arms and backs, where a bolder piped line reads better at that scale.

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