1. Find the Bias
Cutting strips on the bias makes the fabric easier to wrap around the cording and around corners of your finished project. To find the bias (a line diagonal to the grain of the fabric), make sure the edges of your fabric are cut along the grain. Fold one of the corners diagonally across the fabric, and finger-press the fold as shown above. The pressed line is the bias line.

2. Cut the Strips
Align a clear acrylic ruler along the pressed line at the width you want to cut your bias strips as shown above. The cut width of the bias strips should equal the diameter of the cord plus 1 inch for seam allowances. Use a rotary cutter to cut the strips along the edge of the ruler.

3. Join the Strips
With right sides together, lay the strips at right angles to each other as shown above. Pin and sew diagonally 3/16 inch from the edge. Open and press the seam flat. Trim away the corners that extend beyond the strip edge as shown below.

4. Wrap the Cord
Lay the cord in the center of the wrong side of the bias strip. Fold and pin the fabric over the cord, aligning the raw edges. Using a zipper or piping foot attachment on your sewing machine, sew close to the cord along the length of the strip as shown below. The stitching should tightly encase the cord. Do not trim the seam allowance—it will be used to attach the piping to the project. Cut the required length of piping for your project, adding 4 inches for each joined length if needed.

5. Attach the Piping
Lay the piping on the right side of the fabric, aligning the raw cut-edge of the piping with the raw cut-edge of the fabric. Position the piping so the rounded side faces the center of the project; pin in place. Using a zipper or piping foot attachment on your sewing machine, baste the piping in place. To overlap two piping ends, unravel each end of the cording and cut out approximately half of the strands. Twist the two ends together, and hand-stitch around the twisted joint to hold it together. Re-cover the cording, folding the raw edge of the top strip under. With right sides facing, lay the backing panel on top of the panel with the attached piping. Using the basted seam line as a guide, sew through all fabric layers. If the project requires turning, leave an opening along one of the sides. Turn the project to the right side and stuff if required. Using a slip-stitch, hand-sew the opening closed.

For projects that use piping, see:
Basic Square Pillow
Lumbar Pillow
Tufted Chair Cushion