Piping adds a nice embellishment to the hem of this dress. The fabric you choose can complement or contrast for the look you want.

There are lots of tools out there to help if you want to add the piping cord after you sew the tube. The tools are also useful for making fabric tubing. For most piping applications, however, tools are not necessary.

Piping cord comes in a huge variety of types and sizes. It's important to choose the piping cord that's right for your task. Use stiffer cord for most home decor items and softer cord for garments so that the piping is flexible and moves with your body. Always preshrink your cord when you preshrink your fabric.

You can also buy premade piping, and you don't always have to use cord specifically made for piping. You can use yarn, rope, even round elastic depending upon where the piping will be applied. It's always a good idea to make a few samples before you begin to get the perfect look.

Piping is thin and delicate when you use a narrow cord.

Piping gives a bold appearance when you use thick, heavy cord.

Threads reader, Marilyn Conway-Shepherd of San Francisco, uses panty hose to create fabric tubes with lots of flexibility. Panty hose can also be used for flexible, stretchy piping. Just cut the legs and feet off. This is best done where shorter lengths of piping is being used.

Today's sewing machines include so many fancy stitches, why not use one of the stitches to add an embellished edge and even more pizazz to your piping. Place it in the center of the fabric if the piping will be seen from the top.

Or, you can embellish the side of the piping with a fancy machine embroidery stich if it will be seen from the side. You can really have fun with this using different threads and different stitches.