How to Sew on a Gimp in Decorative Pillow Making

Sewing gimp onto your decorative pillows is an effective way to hid the unfinished edges of the fabric. It can also be used as a purely decorative element on the front of your pillow. You can choose gimp to complement or contrast with the pillow fabric, setting it off and giving the pillow a professionally sewn look.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine prepared with matching thread
• Gimp
• Straight pins

Using Gimp to Cover the Edges of the Fabric

1. Set your sewing machine to a small zig zag stitch.

2. Use straight pins to pin the gimp to the pillow fabric. The gimp should be pinned along the outside edges of the fabric.

3. Space the pins about 3 or 4 inches apart along the length of the fabric. The gimp should extend 1/2 inch on either side of the finished pillow length.

4. Start sewing. After the first few zig zag stitches, sew a backstitch or two to prevent the seam from coming undone.

5. Repeat the backstitches when you come to the end of the gimp strip.

6. Sew the second gimp strip on perpendicular to the first strip.

Using Gimp as a Decorative Touch

7. Cut the main fabric pieces for your pillow. You will sew the decorative gimp onto the front of the fabric before you put the pillow together.

8. Lay the front piece of the pillow on your work surface. Make sure it is smooth and wrinkle-free.

9. Pin the gimp in its desired position on the pillow front. Let the ends of the gimp extend 1/2 inch past the edges of the pillow piece. When you sew the pillow together, this will ensure the edges of the gimp are hidden inside the pillow.

10. Sew the gimp down with a narrow zig zag stitch. Use thread that matches the decorative gimp you are using.

11. Press the completed pillow top before completing the pillow.