How to Attach Premade Piping

Are you afraid to attach piping to your projects? Are you worried it won't look even, or that your stitches will show? I used to be afraid to attach piping, but now I know it's actually very easy to sew!

Piping is a handy notion for adding structure, stability, and detail. It's often found on high-end bags and luxury goods, so adding it to your sewing projects is a simple way to take them to the next level without much extra effort.

Take a moment to check out the tutorial below on how to attach piping! It will be extremely helpful for you! Make sure to bookmark this page so you can reference the tutorial when you need it.

HOW TO ATTACH PREMADE PIPING

1 With right sides together, align the raw edges of the piping around the raw edge of your fabric.

2 Use a piping foot or a zipper foot to attach the piping. You will likely need to adjust your needle to the left or right so it's lined up with the existing stitching on the piping. Start sewing 2” in from the tail end of the piping. Stop sewing 2” from where you started, at the beginning of the piping.

A piping foot makes the piping much easier to attach because the foot has a groove underneath to help guide it as you sew. If you're sewing piping to corners or curves, you will want to use a scissors to snip the raw edge of the piping to help it lay flatter and stay even with the raw edge of your fabric.

3 Use your favorite method for joining the ends of the piping, or your can follow my method in the next steps.

4 Fold back the piping where you started. Trim the tail end of the piping flush with your starting point.

5 Unfold the beginning end of the piping. Use a seam ripper to remove the stitching from the beginning end and expose the cord inside the piping.

6 Trim the cord flush with your starting point.

7 Insert the tail end in between the folded edge to join the two pieces.

8 Fold the short, raw edge of the beginning end to the wrong side, with the tail end still tucked inside.

9 Continue sewing to attach the rest piping.

10 Continue following your pattern as instructed. When you add another piece of fabric on top of the one with the piping attached, place your fabric right sides together and align the raw edges. Use a piping foot or zipper foot again, with your needle in the same position as before, to conceal the raw edge of the piping. Again, a piping foot is much easier because it's designed to guide the piping underneath. If you're using a zipper foot, make sure you're keeping an even seam allowance, along your previous stitching.

READY TO TRY PIPING ON YOUR NEXT PROJECT?

If you're looking for a pattern to use piping on, the Daisy round bag features piped edges! This bag can be made casual or glamorous depending on the fabric and hardware choices. Also, the pattern features a unique, stress-free method to attach lining, with no binding! You can find the pattern here: https://www.sallietomato.com/collections/pattern-release/products/daisy-instant-download