Cording can add a beautiful effect to many designs, especially if it is made correctly.
Although it may look difficult to make Cording, it really is quite simple if you follow these steps.
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Step 1.
Thread your needle with
the number of strands
listed in the key, and
slide the needle to the
middle of the strands.
Tape one end of the
strands to the edge of a
counter or table.
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Step 2.
Hold the other end of the
strands with your hands
and begin to twist the
strands. You will need to
twist the strands about
80 to 100 times. If the
strands are not twisted
enough, your Cording will
look loose and uneven
and will unwind as you
stitch with it.
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Step 3.
Grab the needle with
one hand. Take your
other hand and bring the
end of the strands you
are holding over to the
taped end (while still
holding onto the needle).
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Step 4.
Pull the taped strands
out from underneath the
tape and put the loose
ends together.
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Step 6.
While holding the loose
ends together, run your
fingers along the length
of the Cording to make
the twists look smooth
and even.
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Step 7.
Knot the loose ends
together to keep them
from untwisting. This is
important! If you don't
knot the ends together,
the Cording will unravel
as you stitch.
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Step 8.
To stitch with the
Cording, come up
through the fabric and
lay the Cording in
position (usually there
will be lines on the chart
to show where the
Cording should lay).
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Step 9.
Using another needle,
tack the Cording in place
with one strand of
matching thread. Space
the tacking stitches
approximately 1" apart
or where the angle of the
Cording changes.
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Step 10.
To end the Cording, go
down through the fabric
and knot the Cording
close to the back of the
fabric. Trim the excess.
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Step 11.
If you are not going to be
stitching with the Cording
(for example, if you are
making Cording to use as
an ornament hanger), you
will not need to thread a
needle onto the strands
before you start. Instead of
grabbing the needle with
your hand, you will just
grab the middle of the
strands.
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Tips for better Cording:
- Twist those strands! A good estimate is about 80 to 100 times, but that amount may vary
depending upon the length and number of strands you are using (for example, the shorter the length
or the greater the number of strands = fewer twists).
- Make sure to knot the loose ends together before you try to work with your Cording.
- When tacking the Cording in place, be careful not to pull the tacking stitches too tightly.
- Practice, practice, practice!
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