How to Make and Add Piping with a Serger (So Easy!)

Piping is one of those details that instantly makes a project look more polished—pillows, totes, zipper pouches, table runners… it’s the tiny “outline” that makes everything pop. In our video tutorial, we show you how to sew piping on a Baby Lock serger and then insert it between two fabric layers for a clean, professional finish.

What piping does (in plain terms)

Piping is simply cording wrapped in fabric, stitched close to the cord, and then sewn into a seam so just that rounded edge shows. It adds structure, contrast, and a finished look without requiring complicated construction.

What you’ll need

• Piping cord (sizing dependent on your cording foot)

• A specialty piping/cording foot
  

• Fabric for the piping wrap (often cut on the bias so it bends around curves nicely)

• Your serger (set up for an overlock stitch)

• Clips (especially helpful when you’re sandwiching layers)

• Scrap fabric for testing

Step 1: Wrap the cord

1. Cut a strip of fabric long enough for your project.

2. Fold it around the piping cord so the raw edges meet.

3. Keep the cord snug inside the fold—this is what creates that crisp rounded edge later.

Step 2: Serge the piping

With the cord inside the fabric strip, serge close to the cord so the wrap stays tight and secure. Your goal is to stitch close enough that the piping looks crisp—but not so close that you’re stitching into the cord.

Tip: Do a quick test on a scrap first. Once you find the “sweet spot” next to the cord, you can repeat it confidently for the whole length.

Step 3: Insert the piping between fabrics (the “sandwich”)

This is the part that feels like magic. In the tutorial, we show how to insert the piping in between two fabric pieces, then stitch it all together so the piping is caught neatly in the seam.

Here’s the basic sandwich:

1. Place your piping along the edge of your main fabric with the raw edges aligned.

2. Put the second fabric piece on top (right sides together with the first piece), keeping the piping tucked inside.

3. Clip generously—especially at corners or curves.

4. Serge the seam, stitching close to the cord so the piping shows cleanly when turned right-side out.

Corners and curves (quick help)

• Curves: Make small snips in the piping seam allowance (not through the stitching) so it can bend smoothly.

• Corners: Stop just short of the corner, pivot carefully, and keep the piping snug as you turn.

Watch the video tutorial

If you want to see the exact fabric placement and how close to stitch next to the cord, watch the full tutorial below!

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Ready to bring home a serger (or upgrade)?

At My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe, we know a serger is the secret to professional-looking seams, flawless finishes, and stretch-friendly stitches. That’s why we carry trusted brands like Brother and Baby Lock, offering everything from beginner-friendly models to advanced sergers with cover stitch options. Whether you’re sewing garments, home décor, or quilting accents, we’ll help you choose the serger that takes your stitching to the next level.

You can shop sergers right on our website—beginner-friendly options all the way up to feature-packed dream machines.