Description
Washable Polypropylene Piping Cord for Cushions & Upholstery
Livedale Washable Piping Cord is manufactured from non-woven polypropylene with a fine synthetic yarn wrap and provides a practical alternative to cotton or paper piping cord where a washable synthetic core is preferred.
It can be used for suitable fixed and removable upholstery, including cushion covers, loose covers and soft furnishings.
Available in:
- No. 4 – 500 metre reel
- No. 5 – 350 metre reel
- No. 6 – 250 metre reel
- No. 8 – 140 metre reel
Typical applications include:
- Removable seat cushion covers
- Back cushion covers
- Scatter cushions
- Loose furniture covers
- Sofa and chair cushions
- Campervan cushions
- Caravan cushions
- Soft furnishings
- Suitable fixed upholstery
- Furniture covers where a synthetic piping core is preferred
Browse the complete Piping Cords range for washable, cotton, paper and plastic piping options.
A Washable Synthetic Piping Cord
The polypropylene construction makes this cord particularly useful where the piping core itself needs to tolerate suitable washing.
This gives it a different role from Paper Piping Cord, which is better suited to fixed, non-removable upholstery where machine washing is not required.
Washable piping cord can therefore be considered for:
- Removable cushion covers
- Loose covers
- Family furniture
- Caravan and campervan cushions
- Soft furnishings
- Covers likely to require more regular cleaning
The cord itself is described as machine washable, but the cleaning requirements of the complete cover must always be considered.
Washable Cord Does Not Automatically Mean a Washable Cover
A finished cushion cover contains much more than the piping cord.
It may also include:
- Upholstery fabric
- Sewing thread
- Zip chain
- Zip slider
- Interlining
- Labels
- Hook & loop tape
- Decorative trims
- Other reinforcing materials
Every component needs to be suitable for the intended cleaning method.
Using washable piping cord therefore does not automatically mean that the completed cushion cover can be machine washed.
Always follow the care instructions for the complete upholstery fabric and finished cover.
Four Piping Sizes
The washable piping range is available in four sizes, giving the upholsterer greater choice over the finished piping profile.
Available options are:
No. 4 – 500m reel
No. 5 – 350m reel
No. 6 – 250m reel
No. 8 – 140m reel
The size numbers should be treated as product references rather than assuming that the same number will correspond to the same finished diameter across every piping-cord construction.
The final visible size also depends on:
- Fabric thickness
- Number of covering layers
- Seam allowance
- Sewing position
- How tightly the fabric is wrapped
- Compression beneath the sewing-machine foot
Where the finished piping size is important, make a short sample with the actual cord, fabric and sewing setup before producing the complete cover.
Ideal for Removable Cushion Covers
Washable piping cord is particularly useful when producing removable seat and back cushion covers.
Piping can be sewn around:
- Cushion tops
- Cushion bottoms
- Box borders
- Seat cushions
- Back cushions
- Scatter cushions
- Bolsters where appropriate
It provides a defined edge around the cushion and can either match the main upholstery fabric or provide a contrasting decorative feature.
Where removable access is required, combine the piping with suitable Zipping.
Livedale supplies continuous zip chain, sliders and open-ended zips for a wide range of cushion and furniture-cover applications.
Useful for Caravan & Campervan Cushions
Removable cushions are particularly common in caravans, campervans and motorhomes, making washable piping cord a useful option for suitable vehicle-interior upholstery.
It can be used around:
- Seat cushions
- Back cushions
- Dinette cushions
- Removable berth cushions
- Scatter cushions
- Suitable loose-cover applications
The complete cover still needs to be assessed for washing according to the fabric, zip, sewing thread and any other components used.
For replacement interiors, Livedale also supplies Foam Sheets and bespoke foam for seating and cushion applications.
Making Fabric-Covered Piping
Washable piping cord is enclosed inside a strip of upholstery fabric before being sewn into the final seam.
A typical process is:
- Select the required piping size.
- Cut suitable fabric strips.
- Join strips where longer lengths are needed.
- Position the piping cord inside the fabric.
- Fold the fabric evenly around the cord.
- Sew close to the cord using suitable upholstery thread.
- Position the completed piping into the cushion or furniture seam.
- Sew the final seam accurately through the required layers.
The cord should remain enclosed inside the fabric rather than being stitched through.
Use with Upholstery Sewing Thread
Piped seams contain several layers of material, so suitable sewing thread is essential.
Browse Upholstery Sewing Threads & Barbobs for professional workroom sewing products.
Somabond 40’s Bonded Nylon Sewing Thread is a strong upholstery thread available in a wide range of colours for cushion making, furniture covers and piped seams.
When selecting thread, consider:
- Fabric weight
- Number of layers
- Needle size
- Sewing-machine capability
- Stitch length
- Thread colour
- Finished application
Piping seams can be considerably thicker than an ordinary flat seam because the machine may be sewing through the piping strip, main upholstery panel and adjoining seam allowances at the same time.
Test the complete material combination before beginning production.
Cutting Piping Strips
Accurate cutting helps keep the finished piping consistent.
Use professional Upholstery Shears & Snips for preparing piping strips and cover panels.
Full-size upholstery shears are useful for:
- Long piping strips
- Cushion tops and bottoms
- Box borders
- Loose-cover panels
- Upholstery fabric
- General soft-furnishing work
Smaller thread snips are useful beside the sewing machine for trimming thread ends and tidying completed seams.
Straight-Cut or Bias-Cut Fabric?
The direction in which the piping fabric is cut affects how easily it follows the finished shape.
Straight-cut strips can work well on suitable straight seams.
Bias-cut woven fabric can provide greater flexibility around:
- Rounded cushion corners
- Curved furniture edges
- Circular cushions
- Irregular furniture profiles
The best method depends on the construction and stretch of the covering fabric.
Patterned and striped materials also require careful planning so that joins and pattern direction remain visually consistent around the finished cushion.
Matching or Contrasting Piping
Piping can be covered in the same fabric as the cushion for a subtle tailored effect or in a contrasting material to emphasise the outline.
Matching piping can create a neat, understated finish.
Contrasting piping can highlight:
- Cushion shapes
- Seat borders
- Back cushions
- Scatter cushions
- Caravan interiors
- Decorative furniture panels
Browse Upholstery Vinyl & Fabric for furniture-covering materials.
Where washability is important, check the care specification of the selected covering material as well as the piping cord.
Use with Zips for Removable Covers
Washable piping cord and Zipping are natural companion products when making removable cushion covers.
A typical removable cushion cover may require:
- Covering fabric
- Washable piping cord
- Upholstery sewing thread
- Continuous zip chain
- Zip slider
- Suitable shears
- Measuring and marking tools
Position the zip so that it provides adequate access for removing and refitting the cushion filling without creating unnecessary bulk where the zip meets a piped corner.
The zip itself must also be suitable for the proposed cleaning method.
Use with Foam & Polyester Wadding
A complete replacement cushion may combine the removable piped cover with a new foam interior.
Browse Foam Sheets for upholstery foam suitable for seat and back cushions.
For a softer and fuller finished cushion, Polyester Wadding can be applied around suitable foam.
Where polyester wadding is fitted over foam, use Livedale Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive.
The adhesive keeps the wadding securely positioned, helps prevent shifting or bunching while the cover is being fitted and helps produce a smooth, consistent finished cushion.
The complete cushion system can therefore include:
Foam → Polyester Wadding → Removable Piped Cover → Zip Closure
Washable Piping vs Pre-Shrunk Cotton
Both products may be considered for removable covers, but their constructions are different.
Choose Washable Polypropylene Piping Cord where:
- A synthetic cord is preferred
- A machine-washable piping core is required
- Removable cushion covers are being produced
- Greater moisture resistance is desirable
- A broad choice of piping sizes is useful
Choose Pre-Shrunk Bleached Cotton Piping Cord where:
- A traditional cotton construction is preferred
- A softer textile piping profile is required
- Loose covers are being produced
- Natural and medium-weight fabrics are being used
The complete cover specification and cleaning requirements should determine the final choice.
Washable Piping vs Paper Piping
The distinction between these products is particularly important.
Washable Polypropylene Piping Cord is suited to appropriate removable and fixed covers where a washable synthetic piping core is required.
Paper Piping Cord is primarily intended for fixed upholstery where machine washing is not required.
Avoid using paper piping simply because the outer upholstery fabric happens to be washable.
Moisture can affect the paper core.
Washable Piping vs Braided Cotton
Braided Cotton Piping Cord has a smooth cotton construction particularly suited to finer upholstery fabrics, scatter cushions and soft furnishings.
Washable polypropylene provides a synthetic alternative where cleaning requirements and moisture resistance are more important.
Choose according to:
- Covering fabric
- Required piping feel
- Cleaning method
- Cushion type
- Finished appearance
Complete Removable Cushion Workroom Setup
For a typical removable piped cushion project, Livedale supplies:
- Washable Piping Cord for the piping core
- Upholstery Sewing Threads & Barbobs for professional machine sewing
- Zipping for removable cover openings
- Upholstery Shears & Snips for cutting fabric and piping strips
- Measuring & Marking Tools for accurate cushion and cover preparation
- Foam Sheets for replacement cushion interiors
- Polyester Wadding for creating a softer, fuller cushion finish
- Upholstery Vinyl & Fabric for suitable furniture-covering materials
Browse the complete Piping Cords range to compare washable polypropylene with cotton, paper and specialist plastic piping cords.
Available as No. 4 on a 500m reel, No. 5 on a 350m reel, No. 6 on a 250m reel and No. 8 on a 140m reel.
No 8 cord is a 140mtr reel
