Cork Piping!

I am currently OBSESSED with cork piping! This isn't the piping that comes wrapped around a piece of cardboard sold in the bias tape section of your fabric store.  This piping is made from the same cork fabric that you have come to love and has a narrow plastic tube inside.  This tubing is stiffer than the regular cotton rope inside standard cotton piping, providing a base for structure in your bags.  Here are some tips and tricks to help you maximize your cork piping game:

As you can see, the piping has a row of stitching close to the tubing.  

Tip #1 - use a piping foot!

Here are a couple of piping feet you may have available, here are two examples. The one on the right has a channel on the bottom that guides the piping under the foot.  The one on the left can be moved from side to side lining up tight with the piping cording. In a pinch, you may be able to use a zipper foot on it's narrowest setting.

The bottom of the right piping foot:

Tip #2: Use thread that matches the piping colour!

Tip #3: Get as close was possible to the interior cording when stitching your piping onto your project:

Tip #4: Do not sew over the tubing! The tubing is stiffer and thicker than regular cording, most machines will have an issue sewing over it, plus it can add unnecessary bulk to your seams.

Tip #5: Trim the interior plastic tubing and fold the cork fabric over to get a nice clean edge.

Here is a finished look at this method:

Alternatively, if you are using the piping in a continuous manner, you can trim away some of the tubing, then encapsulate the end piece into the trimmed piece like so:

Here is a finished look of this method:

Tip #6: Go over your stitching more than once if needed.  I find there is always a "gap" on the first run when assembling the bag with piping.  Don't be afraid to flip your project, look for gaps and stitch over them again (it's easier the second go around!).

Here are some projects I have made using cork piping:

Add cork piping to your next project!  We have it in black, chocolate, wine, navy, denim and now teal AND eggplant!

Check it out here: Cork Piping

Questions?

Join the MM Cork Supply group on Facebook, it is a very helpful community of cork sewists! Or feel free to email Sheri at mmcorksupply@gmail.com