FABRIC TRIMS used in sewing

Fabric trims are accents that add an extra finishing touch to your sewing. They turn your finished garments /accessories from ordinary to extraordinary.

Fabric trims are available in all forms – simple as well as very ornate. These trims make perfect embellishments for a variety of garments like the edges of your scarves and dupattas, veils, headbands, belts, the hems of your skirts and blouses, shrugs, tunics and not to say what it does to a kids’ dress pattern you have decided to sew for your daughter.

They are used extensively in wedding wear, hats, bags , purses; even your slippers can be decorated with these beautiful trims.

Checkout the 10+different types of fabric trims available, which can turn your ordinary garment to just wow.

Different types of Fabric Trims

Lace Trims

The best trims for clothes are Laces. Laces can be made of Nylon, Rayon, Spandex, Cotton, Polyester, silk, and even elastic.

Lace is one of the most beautiful and expensive of all fabrics. It adds a special beauty to the fabric when added as a trim.

Usually, laces have one straight edge and one decorative edge. You have to ask for galloon lace if you want a lace trim with both edges scalloped.

Check out this post on my favorite types of lace fabric and lace trims.

Ribbons

Ribbons are usually made of nylon and satin and are used extensively as embellishments. Those made of nylon come in broader designs, whereas satin ribbons are mostly narrow. Nowadays, printed ribbons are also very popular.

Ribbon embroidery is a decoration that is very popular and uses a thin satin ribbon. Nylon ribbons are also used for making artificial flowers. Metallic ribbons are beautiful when added as a trim.

You can manipulate, fold, and ruche ribbons to make even prettier fabric trims. For more details on how to make trims using ribbon, check out the post ” 5 easy to make Ribbon Trims.“

Related posts : Ribbon embroidery ; 10 ribbon embroidery flowers

Check out this post on the 15 types of ribbons for more details on the different types of ribbons you can use.

You can make beautiful flowers with ribbons and add them as embellishments as well – check out this post on 6 types of ribbon roses you can make 

Braids 

A braid refers to plaited/braided/woven silver or metallic or cotton threads that are used to decorate fabric.

There are many types of braids – one is a narrowly rounded braid with a center sewing ditch, which is mostly used for drawstrings, button loops, and lacing; then there is a narrow flat braid used for an accent trim; then there are cotton loop braids which are novelty decorative edging( also used for lacing).
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Related posts :24 different types of tapes used in sewing; Make beaded tape on a bead loom ; Make 3 strand braid; Make 4 strand braid; Make 5 strand braid;5 patterns for beaded tape ; Make a 7 strand braid

Galloons

These are brocade worked tapes – you may see them in shops as vestment trims. They are narrow trim tapes worked with usually metallic threads and silk threads.

Fringes

These consists of a header and long threads hanging from it, which are in a uniform pattern. They are usually made of cotton, satin wool, and even leather.

Checkout the post on making 9 different types of fringes

Embroidered / beaded tape /gimp

This is a tape with embroidery woven or decorated with sequins, beads, and sequins. This can be made of silk, cotton, nylon, and satin. You usually see floral and geometrical embroidery on these tapes.

Gimp is a decorative trim with metallic wire or coarse cord making designs on a flat tape.

Rope, Cords, and strings

These are thin strands of fibers twisted together and are used extensively as an embellishment. These are trims usually used in home decor. They are also used in garments, especially for period costumes. 

A cord is a trim made by twisting different yarns. You get a cotton cord which is used as a filler inside the piping. There are cords made of polyester /nylon yarn. There are cords with an extra edge so that you can attach them to the fabric.

Cords have different applications in sewing – they can be used as drawstrings, straps, piping, and ties.  Check out this post on the 16 different types of cords used in sewing and crafts.

Satin cords are used as fabric trims for bridal veils, necklaces, etc. Satin cords are very shiny on the surface. Nylon satin cords and rayon satin cords are very popular. Leather cords and metallic cords are also available.

Related post : Make beaded cord;Make braided cord ; Kumihimo braided cord

Bias tape Piping

This is a strip of fabric, usually a bias strip for elasticity, folded over a cord or string, forming a ‘pipe’ used to trim edges or style lines of fabric. This embellishment looks very striking when a contrasting colored fabric is used.

Checkout the post on making and sewing piping. They are used on armscyes, necklines, and hems with beautiful effects.

Related post : How to use a Bias tape maker ; How to cut bias tape.

Fabric tubes

Fabric tubes are made out of bias-cut fabric strips. You can make them by including cording inside or without the cording. Check out this post on making fabric tubes.

Pom Poms

Pompoms are small balls made of fibers. They are  used as trims in hats and other clothing. Pom poms are added to military hats in France and other countries.

Check out the 7 different ways to make pompoms.

Tassels

A tassel is a bell-shaped trim made by tying several yarns together. They can be used individually as a trim or added to a long tape in a row for attaching to long edges.

Check out these posts on the 6 methods of making tassels and for making beaded tassels.

Tassels are attached to hems of garments and scarves as a great-looking trim.

Rhinestone embellished trims

Sequin embellished trims

Embroidered fabric trims

Ric Rac trims

Braided/knotted/macrame trims

Related posts: 

Even without adding any fabric trim, you can embellish your fabric – just add any decorative edge finishing stitches mentioned here or braided stitches described in this post or Border embroidery stitches outlined in this post.

You can also decorate your fabric with any of the 50 methods described in this post on adding texture and embellishments to fabric.