Thursday, August 18, 2011

Let's Try Cording!


Cording is my new obsession, readers. It's the subject of this week's Stitch-Along post, and I feel like I could cord everything in sight! My little sample above just uses some supplies I had around the house, and I'm eager to try it with some satin cord and maybe even my own self-covered cord. It's a great detail to add around necklines and the hems of skirts.

Here's a lovely vintage 50s dress that incorporates cording AND rhinestones--be still my heart. Just look at those pockets!



What do you think? Would you like to give this embellishment detail a try? 

Hope you enjoy the post!

Posted by at
Labels:

30 comments:

  1. suziwong66August 18, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    I have a cording foot and have yet to use it; i really should, shouldn't i??? you've inspired me to give it a whirl.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mary Beth August 18, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    It's essential to have the right foot (not left, hah hah) for cording. There needs to be tunnel underneath the foot to accomodate the cording. I think Viking does the best cording foot in my estimation, but then again I'm partial because I own a Viking.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Social HistorianAugust 18, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Also piping and welting feet can be used, some piping feet have a hole to feed cord through. Bernina's #12C (bulky braiding)is another example. I've had some success couching fine yarn with a pintuck foot (in a straight line).

    I like cording, especially detailing the neckline, although my favourite circle skirt has the entire front corded. It always makes me think, wow, I do not have the patience for that!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ReneeAugust 18, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    What you've explained is a very simple form of Passementerie - you can do an image search for some really elaborate examples to give you more inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  5. a little sewingAugust 18, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Looks like something that could come in handy for a unique embellishment to create something one-of-a-kind. A good trick to have up your sleeve.
    I am picturing a graphic image (like a cartoon, even) that has personal meaning.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    A tutor at FIT recommended an adjustable zipper foot.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    I just read the post on the other website. I assumed the discussion was going to be of creating and sewing cording, say, size 12, covered with a bias strip. An approximately 1/4" seam allowance is created on the side. The adjustable zipper foot is used first to sew the bias strip, then to sew the seam allowance to the garment; the need for the second row of stitching is where the adjustability of the foot comes in handy.

    ReplyDelete
  8. zilredlohAugust 18, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    I love cording, but I'm not a fan of the zig zag stitches showing on top of the cord to the fabric. I'd be interrested to learn how a cording foot works? (Is it to just make cording, or is it for sewing cording to the fabric?)

    ReplyDelete
  9. MrsC (Maryanne)August 18, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    Oh I love cording! There is a tutorial on my site about how to use it to make a leaf motif pattern on net. http://amamus-amatis-amant.blogspot.com/2010/02/laurel-dress-sash-and-cording-tutorial.html The Dreamstress and I used it to embellish a reproduction of a dress made in 1910.

    ReplyDelete
  10. LunaLooAugust 18, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Yes, the cording can make for some interestinf effects. Gottas say though, I am really loving the dress.. especially the red lined pocket detail and skinny red belt. Sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Elegant ObasanAugust 18, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    I suck at cording on top. I'd love to know how that gorgeous dress was made! The only thing that works for me is using pearl cotton in the bobbin, drawing my design on wash away stabilizer and following the lines. Joining...it's not the best feature. Have you tried this? How do you think the small turns were made??? I'd love to know!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ginger LemonAugust 18, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    I have a vintage dress with cording. I wouldn't even know where to begin though!

    ReplyDelete
  13. BunnykinsAugust 18, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Cording is one of my favourite trims as I find the convoluted patterns restful to look at. I even collect Edwardian patterns. I've never applied it by machine, though, in anything but straightish lines. Love that dress!

    ReplyDelete
  14. KarenAugust 19, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    I still haven't tried a cording foot, but there are some wonderful resources on the Net for what Renee correctly calls Passementerie. One is the Antique Pattern Library at http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/catalog.htm (you'll have to wade through oodles of drool-worthy ways to embellish your sewing, but some are quite specifically Passementerie, others are just easily adaptable) and another is the On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics at http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/index.html (again, you'll have to do a little drooling over things you may not want to do, but I suggest looking under the "books" section).

    Both have a wonderful collection of archived turn-of-the-century or older books published mostly by manufacturers of old-school materials for embellishment. Other great sources are Project Gutenberg and the Internet Archive at archive.org.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jen OAugust 19, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    Sewing around curves is all in having the right attachment. With that cording foot attached, you can move free hand, zig-zagging over the cord as you go (fun!)

    ReplyDelete
  16. MomberAugust 19, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. PaulaAugust 19, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    I love the way cording looks. I've done it by hand many times, but never by machine. Guess it's time to try - I'm pretty sure I have a cording foot for my vintage Pfaff machine which I can also use on one of my newer Singer machines!

    ReplyDelete
  18. JessieAugust 20, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    yes, yes and YES!

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousAugust 20, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Hi Gertie, love your blog, been following it for a long time. I have a question though. Are you no longer doing the projects from the Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing. This was what I loved about your blog the most and it seems that they gone by the wayside now. Any chance of an update? Just curious is all. Once again I think your sewing and blog are fantastic. Cheers. Jane.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fickle SenseAugust 21, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    I love this dress. The embellishments are wonderful.... and I am loving those pockets!

    ReplyDelete
  21. LovelySewNSewAugust 21, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    WOW,the vintage 50s dress is just stunning. I've been thinking of making some cushions for my sofa and this technique could be just what I am looking for to create something individual...after some practice that is :-p

    ReplyDelete
  22. memAugust 21, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    THat is beautiful but I think that that is chain stitch embroidery rather than cording which I think would be to stiff for such a dense design.

    ReplyDelete
  23. RebeccaAugust 21, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    LOVE that dress! The black cording is gorgeous on that gray!

    Very feminine look....

    ReplyDelete
  24. John Lewis SaleAugust 25, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Just loved the color combo everything is looking very decent nothing is looking over done

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousAugust 27, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    It would really be awesome if the pockets had zipper[s] outlining it....if that makes any since.
    I'm obsessed with zippers. So anything zippers, is soooo cool!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sew MachinesAugust 29, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    wow...i really really love the dress! What a nice sewing project. The dress is so cute. By the way, i love to see the cording applied on my dress

    ReplyDelete
  27. rental mobilAugust 29, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Very nice, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  28. ShunaAugust 30, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Wow - just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  29. SWBSeptember 6, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    What a lovely design!

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousSeptember 10, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Hi my name is Lorraine, Do you know where I can find the pattern to the dress that you are showing? i love this style of dress especially the red lined pockets. Thank you so much for your blog

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
© Gertie's Blog For Better Sewing. Powered by Cake