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Piping on pyjamas - do you use any kind of cord in the piping? Question
lyndle   Advanced Beginner NEW ZEALAND Member since 3/19/06 Posts: 202	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/8/10 5:42 PM Hi all you knowledgeable people... I am wanting to try adding some piping to some pyjamas. My question is, when using piping on PJs, do you use any kind of cord, yarn etc in the piping, or just use bias strips with nothing inside them? My fabric (both main and contrast) is a fairly lightweight silk/ cotton mix. I am planning to make a nightshirt using a PJ top pattern. (I really wanted the Jalie PJs pattern but as it costs a fortune in postage to get these sent to NZ, I am using a Simplicity one and will adapt it to add the piping by cutting the collar in two pieces and cutting the facing separately from the front). All advice gratefully received!
BeeBeeSew Advanced Beginner MD USA Member since 12/13/07 Posts: 825	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/8/10 6:15 PM I probably wouldn't use cording in PJ piping, especially on a very lightweight fabric. It would be stiffer than I'd want for sleeping.
lyndle   Advanced Beginner NEW ZEALAND Member since 3/19/06 Posts: 202	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/8/10 6:32 PM Thanks BeeBeeSew. I thought that too, but commercial ones seem to be rounded rather than flat, which is how I imagine it will be if I don't put anything inside it. Is there a trick to that? Would yarn work?
misschris AUSTRALIA Member since 2/3/06 Posts: 1337	Login to reply to this post In reply to lyndle Like this post Date: 8/8/10 7:50 PM I've used lightweight yarn in piping. Make up a sample, you'll have a better idea of how it looks/feels sewn onto your fabric. You can always make your unfilled piping very narrow - you get the look of piping without the "empty" look of unfilled wide piping. ------ chris Melbourne
BeckyW Intermediate AL USA Member since 5/23/04 Posts: 485	Login to reply to this post In reply to lyndle Like this post Date: 8/8/10 7:58 PM I would think that it would be pretty hard to get a consistent width of non-filled piping. I use a piping foot that depends on the cord to guide the seam. If you want empty piping, what about using some slick nylon cording and then pulling the cording out after sewing the piped seam? Does that make sense? ------ Becky
misschris AUSTRALIA Member since 2/3/06 Posts: 1337	Login to reply to this post In reply to BeckyW Like this post Date: 8/8/10 9:18 PM Quote: I use a piping foot that depends on the cord to guide the seam. If you have no cord, you don't need the piping foot. It's just more layers of flat fabric. ------ chris Melbourne
Doris W. in TN   Intermediate TN USA Member since 2/9/04 Posts: 6803	Login to reply to this post In reply to lyndle Like this post Date: 8/8/10 9:38 PM I suggest what is commonly called rat-tail cording. It's often found in home-dec fabric stores/depts, found in trims dept. , it is a cord with a rayon fabric over it, often in colors (buy ivory or white so don't worry about color running), and very soft & flexible. Pre-shrink in hot water, dry in dryer, etc. and it will be great. It's what is used as the core for self-made piping in tailored jackets, etc., and can be used as a drawstring on pouches, etc. http://www.satincord.com/a_1_cord_satin.html
Ingiepops   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2/28/04 Posts: 76	Login to reply to this post In reply to lyndle Like this post Date: 8/8/10 9:51 PM Hi Lyndle, I would suggest perhaps using mini-piping cord. You can buy this in a wide range of colours already prepared from the Country Bumpkin website in Australia, or make your own up using the mini-piping cord. I use this on children's clothing and more delicate fabrics and it's made from cotton. They use it a lot in their magazines when they make up smocked dresses in fine cotton. They ship all over the world and as you are in NZ the shipping should be less. HTH Ingrid
lyndle   Advanced Beginner NEW ZEALAND Member since 3/19/06 Posts: 202	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/8/10 9:52 PM Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I did do a web search but most discussion is of piping for upholstery. I also found this tip by Emeraldjul here on PR Sewing Tip - Mini piping She suggests using Knit-Cro-Sheen Crochet Cotton Thread. I probably have some sort of crochet thread lying around home, so I might give this a text drive before I head out for the rats-tail cord. thanks so much for all your tips, I've never done any piping before so I figure a nightshirt is a good chance to practise - I'm not going to be wearing it in public much!
Ingiepops   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2/28/04 Posts: 76	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/8/10 10:35 PM Hi, I just checked around on the CB website: http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au/article_info.php?articles_id=28 It is a brief explanation but might give you some idea how to do it. I've done it myself and used my zipper foot on the edge of the piping. Cheers, Ingrid ETA: there is also a view of all the colours available for sale if you scroll down to the bottom -- Edited on 8/9/10 9:24 PM --

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