The trim is the last thing most people think about when they choose a cushion, and it is often the thing that makes it look right. After more than 30 years of making cushions for clients' homes, I'd say the edge finish changes a cushion as much as the fabric does. A plain linen cushion with contrast piping looks tailored and crisp. Give the same linen a soft fringe and it feels relaxed and layered.
The main cushion trims are:
Piping: a fabric covered cord sewn into the seam. Self piped means the cord is covered in the cushion fabric; contrast piping uses a different colour.
Fringe: loose yarn along the edge, from short and neat to long and full.
Braid: a flat woven band stitched along the edge.
Tassels and pom poms: added at the corners or along the seam.
Bound or flanged edge: a flat border of fabric with no cord.
Below I go through each one, where it works best, and which of our cushions show it off.
Piping
Piping gives a clean, tailored edge. It is a cord covered in fabric and sewn into the seam, so the cushion has a defined outline. It suits both modern and traditional rooms.
Contrast piping picks out the shape, as on Cote Lin in Terracota, a plain linen with a contrasting piped edge. On velvet, twisted two-tone piping, like that on Dolce Vita in Terre de sienne, adds detail without fuss. For texture, Nepal in Amber is a rust bouclé with a piped edge.
What does self piped mean on a cushion?
A self piped cushion has piping covered in the same fabric as the cushion itself, so the edge is defined but doesn't stand out. Contrast piping uses a different fabric or colour, so the outline becomes part of the design.
Fringe and bobble trim
Fringe softens the edge and adds movement. The Chase Erwin cushions show how different it can look: Ripple in Taupe has a soft, full ivory fringe, Apollo in Platinum a caramel fringe that frames a pale front, and Vogue in Bronze a thick, fluffy one on a tweedy weave. Ruban in Teal from Black Edition has a fringe on two sides in the same yarns as the cushion, so the edge looks frayed rather than hard. You'll find them all on our fringed cushions page.
Bobble trim and ruched haberdashery trims have a more classic, playful look. Bobbles work well in children's rooms or relaxed family rooms in country houses.
Braid and bound edges
A braid is a flat woven band stitched round the edge. It gives a crisp outline and can carry a second colour: Guéthary in Ivoire has a black stripe braid, and Manade in Cuivre a black and white striped braid that stops the copper velvet looking too traditional. Cabourg in Orange brûlée has a decorative braided edge on a ribbed weave.
Edge binding wraps a strip of fabric round the edge for a clean, finished look. Like a stitched edge, such as the black bourdon stitch on Linen in Nude, it suits modern and minimalist rooms because the detail is there without overwhelming the design.
Frills
A frill is a strip of fabric gathered or pleated into small ruffles. It suits romantic, vintage or relaxed bohemian rooms, and softens a bedroom in particular.
Tassels and pom poms
Tassels are usually added at the corners. They range from small and subtle to large and ornate, in silk for a formal room or cotton and wool for something more relaxed, and they are a good way to add a second colour. We don't currently stock cushions with tassels, but I can add them to a bespoke cushion.
Choosing a trim for your room
Modern or minimal: self piping, a stitched edge or a narrow binding.
Traditional: contrast piping, braid or tassels.
Relaxed and layered: fringe, or a mix of fringed and plain cushions.
Children's or family rooms: bobble trim.
On a sofa I usually mix finishes rather than repeat one: a piped square at the back with a fringed cushion in front, for example. There's more on building a combination in How many cushions on a sofa?, and on linen in our linen guide.
Bespoke cushions with the trim you want
Want a trim we don't stock? I can have cushions made to your size with the trim of your choice, from pom poms to piping, beads to braids. Have a look at our bespoke service or get in touch. It's ideal for a slipper chair or a large window seat.