How to Attach a Cord Stop

Cord stops can tighten or loosen cords in jackets, pants and bags.

Cord stops are useful notions on items such as bags, pants, and jackets, allowing a cord to be tightened or loosened. This is accomplished simply by pushing a button on the cord stop that frees the cord to move. When the button is released, the cord is held tautly within the cord stop. Cord stops come in a variety of styles and colors. Some hold only one cord for items such as jacket hoods, while others hold two for items such as bag openings.

Things You'll Need

• 1 toggle
• ¼ inch nylon cord to fit your item, plus 2 feet
• Scissors
• Lighter/Matches

Instructions

1. Thread nylon cord through the casing of the project or garment, pulling the ends out of the casing opening where the cord stop will go.

2. Hold the garment and cord stop right side up and thread one end of the cord through one hole of the cord stop. If the cord stop has two holes, thread the other end of the cord through the other hole, so that both ends are on the same side of the cord stop.

3. 

   Your tightened overhand knot should look like this.

   Tie the cord in an overhand knot, placing the knot an inch from the end of the cord. If using a two-cord stop, tie the two cords into a single overhand knot in the same manner. To tie an overhand knot, hold the end of the cord in your right hand and the rest of the cord in your left hand. Make a loop in the cord by twisting the end of the cord over the rest of the cord, so that the right-hand cord is now in front of the left-hand cord. With your right hand, push the end of the cord through the loop, from the back of the loop to the front. Pull with both hands to tighten the knot.

4. Singe the ends of the cord to prevent fraying by waving the cord through the lighter flame for no more than two seconds, until the cord fibers begin to melt together.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're using a two-cord stop and want the knot to be hidden, you can thread the cord through the first hole of the stop, then thread the same cord end through the other hole from the opposite direction. You can then tie or stitch the knot and pull it into the casing of the garment.

• When singeing the ends of the cord, do not leave them in the flame for more than two seconds at a time, or the cord will melt.

• Do not touch the ends of the cord after singeing, to prevent burns.

References

• The Rain Shed: Toggles and Cord Locks