Piping vs Binding

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Continuous Bias Binding

Corded or Flat Piping

learn the difference

NOTE: This lesson first appeared on our previous site, CraftAndFabricLinks.com

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Binding vs Piping

What is the difference between piping and binding? Binding wraps around the OURTER edges of a layered project, finishing off the edges and binding the layers together (outside edges of a quilt, for example). The image at the top of this page shows binding along the edge of a quilt.

Piping adds dimension and trim, and can be added to the outside edge, such as corded piping added as an extension to the outside edges of a decorative pillow, or on the item itself - such as trim on sections of a wall hanging or quilt.

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BINDING

Binding adds a nice finished edge to items made from layers of fabric, such as placemats, quilts and apparel. It also binds the layers together along the outer edges. Binding is cut on the bias so that it can be eased around the corners and curves of the edges of the item it is finishing. Cutting on the bias allows some stretch to the fabric.

The following photo shows binding around round trivets.

Go to: Quick Sew Trivets to learn how to add binding.

PIPING

Piping can be corded (a cord is placed inside the fold of the fabric, giving it a raised, 3 dimensional effect), or it can be flat (contains no cord). The following photo shows fabric being stitched around a cord to create corded piping.

To learn how to create a decorative pillow with corded piping go to: Pillow With Corded Piping Trim .

Lesson: Add Corded Piping To Pillow

Flat Piping is added to projects as a decorative trim. Rather than pieces of fabric stitched together with just a seam separating them, flat piping is stitched into the seam between the two pieces of fabric, and the folded edge is free and is slightly raised from the project.

The following photo shows flat piping added to a pillow as decorative trim. The narrow mint strip next to the cuff is the flat piping.

Flat Piping Trim

DIY Continuous Bias Binding

You can create your own bias binding (also called bias tape), and wrap that around cord to create corded piping, to create your own bias binding to use on a quilt or other project.

Go to Quilt Lessons: Make Your Own Bias Binding.

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