Home Decor and Sewing Trims Definitions 

Gimp: A narrow (3/8" to 1/2" wide), flat trim made with a tightly woven tiny cord-like material, traditionally used to trim pillows, curtains, boxes, lamp shades, vests, ornaments, and to hide the seams on upholstery projects. Can be applied by stitching (hand or machine) or by gluing. 

Cord/Cording: A 3/16" to 1/2" diameter trim made from plies of yarn(s) twisted together to form a cord. Used for pillows, draperies, boxes, bedding, ornaments, etc. Can be applied by stitching (hand or machine zigzag) or by gluing. 

Cord with Lip/Lip Cording: A 3/16" to 1/2" diameter cord with an attached knit "lip" used for inserting the cord into fabric seams. Used to edge pillows, cushions, upholstery, drapery treatments, bedding, etc. Applied by stitching with a zipper foot or piping foot. 

Piping/Welting: A 3/16" to 1/2" diameter fabric covered cord with 1/4" to 5/8" fabric "lip" used for inserting this trim into fabric seams. Used to edge cushions, upholstery, pillows, cornices, etc. Applied by stitching with a zipper foot or piping foot. 

Fringes: Brush, Loop or Chainette Fringes come in varying lengths and are made from various fibers. Usually used as an insert trim in pillows, draperies, bedding, etc. Can also be applied on top of a surface as in lampshades and tablecloths and be stitched into a seam or glued on top of fabric/shade. 

Tassel Fringe: A flat trim or braid with tassels attached to the bottom edge to trim draperies, lampshades, table coverings, pillows, swags, etc. Can be stitched into seam or glued on top of fabric/shade. 

Bullion Fringe: A 3" to 8" long twisted fringe applied as a skirt on sofas, ottomans or chairs. Can also be used to edge pillows, table coverings or draperies and stitched into a seam or glued on top of fabric/shade. 

Tassel: 1/2" to 8" long bell shaped trim constructed from yarns and tied together at the "neck", with a loop at the top for hanging or insertion. Used at corners of pillows, to accent valances, table coverings, or bedding. Attach by stitching or gluing. A water spritz and combing can rejuvenate tassels.> 

Chair Ties: 27" to 30" long cord with a tassel at each end, which is used to attach cushions to chairs, hold back curtains or accent lamps and pillows. 

Have you ever found yourself looking for a particular type of trim, but unsure of its actual classification or name? There's such a vast array of trims available and so many names and types, it can indeed be hard to find what you're looking for. I hope that the trim glossary of common trim terms which follows will help you to find what you need quickly and easily. 

Glossary of Trims & Appliqué Terms 

Appliqué: An embellishment that incorporates embroidery and fabric. A backing is applied which can be heat sensitive for ironing, or pressure sensitive for press-on. Used as a motif type trim on any type of garment. 

Beading: A lace or embroidery which has slits through which ribbon may be drawn. Used as a top trim. 

Box Pleat: A fabric, ribbon or lace pleated to form a box, bound together at the top. Because of its unique take up, this trim can be used anywhere you would use a full ruffle. Turns corners easily. Can be inserted in seams or glued on craft projects. 

Butterfly Pleat: A fabric or lace pleated in a series of varying widths held together with center stitching. Used in the same manner as the box pleat. 

Chain: A mock metallic link chain. Used as a belt or as an accent trim. 

Cluny: A coarse crochet type lace, typically of 100% cotton. Used as an edging in a seam or at a hem, sleeve, pillows, craft projects. Can be glued or sewn. 

Combination: Term applied to more than one type trim or ribbon in combination. 

Cord/Cording: A cord can be made by twisting, knitting or braiding. A twisted cord has 2, 3 or 4 plys which can be made of different colors or fibers. Braided and knitted cords are tubular with, or without a filler. Silky cord is an example of a braided cord. Used as a drawstring or a top "trim"; may be sewn on garments in a passementarie style, as an edging for home decorating items, craft projects; may be sewn by machine or hand, or glued. 

Crystal Pleat: A fabric or lace pressed into accordion type folds. Used on bridal garments as an insertion into the seams at hem and at sleeves. 

Double Ruffle: Two edgings which are gathered together. Used around sleeves, necks and hems of garments and as a trim on home decorating pillows and curtains. Usually applied into the seam. 

"E" Loop, Double "E" Loop: A braided trim with loops along one or both edges. Used as a top trim; can be sewn or glued. 

Edging: A lace or embroidery which has one decorative edge and one straight (raw) edge. Used as a decorative edge, always sewn into the seam. 

Embroidery on Sheer: An edging that uses a sheer base fabric. Can be used as any ruffle or edging. 

Eyelet/Embroidery: A fabric which has holes punched and stitching (embroidery) applied to create a design. Can be used as any other ruffle, edging or beading as a top trim or applied into the seams.

Fold Over Braid: A braided or knitted band folded slightly off center used as a binding. Used as a finish, sandwiched over a raw edge. 

Frog Closure: A two-piece closure made of cord that is decoratively wound. One half contains a loop and the other a knot. Used as a closure instead of buttons, or as a decorative item. "Togglers" are fun frogs for children's garments. 

Fur: A knitted fabric simulating different fur types, usually machine washable acrylic. 

Galloon: A lace or embroidery which has two decorative edges. Used as a top trim on garments and home dec projects. 

Header: A second lace or embroidery that is sewn to the first to create a second decorative edge. Used as a top trim on projects; can be sewn or glued. 

Heat Transfer: A technique used to transfer colors from paper to a variety of laces or trims. 

Lace: An openwork fabric of threads forming decorative designs. Used in many of the above executions as a trim.