cotton welt cord

[gene]

I have a friend who bought a very big roll of cotton welt cord from a company that went out of business. This company sewed mass produced cushions and such.

The welt cord is very soft and flimsy and when she sews the welt cord often gets under the welt cord foot and is sewn through. This creates a lumpy appearance to the finished welt cord.

Is there any way to sew with this welt cord so that the cotton welt cord does not get under the needle?

Thank you,

Gene

[sofadoc]

She might have to go up (or maybe down) a size on her welt foot, and really use her hands to pull it through while keeping it straight. Or just go to a zipper foot, and really hang on while sewing.

[bobbin]

Way back when, when I first started doing "home dec." stuff I used that stuff.  Only because is was the only thing available at the "worst fabric store in the world" (which is now the only game in town).  I was using my trusty Singer 31-15 (c.1929, drop feed, no reverse, still have it and use it) and here's what I learned:

1.)  Secure the welting with a pin or a couple of stitches that are easy to remove.  Whip stitch the end of the welt so it won't widen and get caught by the needle.
2.)  Use a zipper foot that won't allow the needle to ride in close the welt.
3.)  Keep an even tension on the welt itself so that you keep it uniformly taut and the needle runs by it, not catching it.  The "inside toe" of the zipper foot will ensure that the stitching is far enough away from the welt that when you switch to the welting foot the needle will run inside the first row of stitching!
4.)  Customers will call and complain after they wash a pillow casing/slipcover and the welting shrinks. 
5.)  Never waste my money on that garbage again. 

[kodydog]

That soft cotton stuff is a PITA. For certain applications it may be used but for general upholstery work tissue welt is the best. I would tell her to stick it in a corner of the shop and use it only as needed.

[sofadoc]

I would tell her to stick it in a corner of the shop and use it only as needed.

To get the best use out of it:
Stick it in a corner, throw a tablecloth over it, and place a lamp on top. ;D

[ahkahn]

How thick is it?  If thin enough, it could be used as a lamp or candle wick.  The candle makers would eat that stuff up.

-Andrew

[nancy]

i have been searching for cotton welt cord, the soft kind that is not hard nor well bound together. The preferred size is just under half inch, about 7/16.  If anyone has any of this they would like to sell, please advise.  i am looking for about 50 yds but 10 yard increments is  fine.  I use this for a children's craft and while plentiful a few years ago, it seems to have disappeared from the market.

Thanks,
Nancy

[JuneC]

Like this?  Holy cow - up to 2" thick.  Now that's welt! 
  http://www.cushionworks.net/weltcord.html

June