Open braids add beautiful detail to your soft furnishings without the weight of a solid-backed trim. The open design concept lets the fabric show through, making it a great layering piece to create a strong or subtle statement in your space. Used on skirting, draperies, pillows, and upholstery, open braids help bring pattern and texture into a room while keeping the overall look light and fresh.
The trim you choose will help you achieve a specific effect or feeling in the room. Depending on the color, size, and pattern of the open braid, these unique details are designed to finish and frame your project. Once you’ve found a design that suits the room and your overall vision, you and your workroom can choose an application method that works best for the piece.
Interior: Cynthia McCullough Interiors
Photography: Heather Talbert
Caption: Cynthia McCullough embellishes the table skirt’s bottom edge with a backless braid from Brimar’s Artsy Collection – a modern geometric silhouette that brings definition.
Start With the Right Trim for the Project
Open braids, also called open trim or appliqué, can have a more quiet presence in a room or be bold enough to make a statement. Their pattern, scale and color will shape the effect, whether you want the trim to blend with the fabric or stand out against it. Think about the effect you want the trim to have and how much attention you want it to draw before you begin exploring your open trim options.
Where you apply the trim matters, too. A trim that makes a strong statement on a drapery panel may have a different effect on an accent pillow or lampshade. Consider the scale of your piece and how much of the trim will be visible once the project is finished. For instance, the circular loop de loop style in Brimar’s Cheerio Collection can easily be reimagined when sewn halfway into the seam creating a wavy scallop look on what remains the visible edge.
Interior: Halsted Designs
Caption: Jennifer Halsted of Halsted Designs chose navy blue open braid trim to add a pop of color and draw the eye without making the design feel heavy.
Seeing the trim alongside your fabric helps you judge how the colors and patterns work together before settling on a design. Brimar’s online search tool can help narrow down the options. To use the tool, get started at Brimarinc.com, click Trimmings in the menu, and then click Product Search. Find the Type filter and select Open Braids. Once you find your favorites, our complimentary samples give you a chance to see if it’s a match for your project.
Caption: Brimar’s open braid collections feature four designs in a range of sizes and colors, giving designers options for different application purposes and décor styles.
Collections shown (left to right): Fretique, Cheerio, Artsy, Greek Key
Which Application Method Makes Sense?
There are two basic methods of applying open trim, and the right choice depends on the project. Using the adhesive method, you start by applying a clear-drying fabric adhesive to the back of the trim. Use a small-tip dispenser so you can carefully control the amount of adhesive. Press the trim gently and gradually onto the fabric, allowing it to dry.
With the sewing method, the trim is secured with tack stitches by hand or with a sewing machine. If you’re using a machine, a few spots of glue or some pins can help keep the trim in place as you sew.
A Few Tips for Applying Open Braids
Keeping the trim straight is key to a neat finish. Rather than trying to position the entire length at once, work in small sections and check the alignment as you go.
If you’re using adhesive, apply it sparingly. Too much can seep out around the edges or make the application harder to control. A small-tip dispenser helps you place the adhesive precisely along the back of the trim.
Caption: Open braids add decorative detail for a range of projects.
Designs by: Francesca Herro Interiors, JMittman Designs LLC, Terry’s Designing Windows, Brimar
Ready to Give Open Trim a Try?
Once you’ve chosen a trim that suits the design and considered how the finished piece will be used, the application itself is straightforward. Both adhesive and sewing methods give designers ways to incorporate open trim into different fabric projects, including drapery panels, accent pillows and upholstered pieces.
If you’re ready to explore the options, Brimar offers a range of styles. Explore Brimar’s open trim collections and order complimentary samples to find the right style for your next project.
