Adding piping is a great way to accent the lines of a garment, but it can have extra visual punch if you apply a decorative stitch to the bias fabric before insertion.

Once I’ve selected a stitch and thread combination, I stitch it down the center of the piping fabric and then insert the piping as I typically would. The stitch pattern becomes a decorative touch along the edge of the piping. Sew it down the middle—or slightly to one side for a totally different look.

I recommend creating or purchasing extra piping for experimentation. There are so many decorative stitches on my machine and so many colorful, decorative threads available that it’s fun to play with them to find the right stitch and thread combination.

— Beth Wehrman, Maxwell, Iowa

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