Make Your Own Custom Cording

Make your own custom cording to finish the edges of your needlework projects!

Cording is easy to make and can be used to outline a project, cover seams, make hanging loops, tassle stringers or tied as a bow.

Use the same embroidery thread that was used in the stitching (it’s a great way to use up the leftovers), or for a wider cording use similar colors in chunkier yarns or pearl cotton. For a bit of glitz and glamour, you could blend a length of DMC Light Effects or metallic pearl into the cording.

Here I’ll show you how to make a 2-colored cord, similar to the one I used to trim the edges of the Fall Flower Vase project featured as a freebie last week.

1. Cut two lengths of embroidery thread 1-1/2 times longer than the finished length of trim you will need.  In this example, one length of thread is yellow and the other is green.  Tie the ends of the thread together in a tight knot.

2. Tie one end of the doubled thread to a doordknob (or tape it to the surface of a table), and tie the other end to a pencil or dowel.  I’ve tied the end of the yellow thread to the doorknob and the green thread to a pencil in this example.

3. Next, start twisting the pencil to create tension in the thread.

4. When the thread starts to double-back onto itself, you’ve twisted enough to make the cording.

5. While holding the pencil (don’t let it un-twist), grab the knot where the two colors of thread meet, and let the thread twist back onto itself.

6. Knot the thread at the opposite end to prevent the cord from untwisting itself.

That’s all there is to it!  Your custom cording is now ready to use.

TIP: To make a single-colored cord, cut a length 3 times the length needed and fold the cording at the center to double it back on itself.

~Emma

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