--- title: "Piping on Tufted Cushions: Which Pieces Can Take a Welt" url: "https://cushionguide.com/answers/piping-on-tufted-cushions/" section: "The Cutting Table" author: "Margaret Holloway, The Piping Queen of Newport" author_url: "https://cushionguide.com/masters/maggie/" published: "2026-04-18" updated: "2026-04-18" keywords: "piping on tufted cushions, tufted daybed cushion piping, piping on cover-only order, non-tufted daybed backrest, bolster cover with piping" --- # Can you add piping to tufted cushions? *Piping and tufting get along on some pieces and not on others, and the daybed is where they part company.* Also asked as: Piping in all parts, please.; Piping only on the mattress cover? > **The quick answer:** Piping works on some tufted cushions but not on tufted daybed backrests and armrests, so those pieces switch to a plain, non-tufted style if you want piping everywhere, and the shop sends an example photo first. Piping is standard on non-tufted zippered covers, and cover-only orders are made plain, since tufting needs the shop's own filling. ![Teal blue velvet round bolster with self piping on a white linen bed in front of cream waffle-knit pillows](https://cushionguide.com/media/bolster-pillows/teal-blue-velvet-bolster-linen-bed-waffle-pillows-1600.webp "A long teal velvet bolster with piped ends lies across a linen-dressed bed, framed by cream waffle pillows and a candle on the nightstand.") ## Key facts - Tufted daybed backrests and armrests don't take piping. - Piping on every daybed piece means switching backrests and armrests to a non-tufted style. - The shop sends an example photo before switching to the non-tufted style. - Piping is standard on non-tufted zippered covers. - Tufting is only possible when the shop makes the filling. - Cover-only bolsters are made round and plain, with piping if you like. - Tufted French floor cushions and backrests are normally 4 to 5 in (10 to 12 cm) thick. - Cushions only 1 in (2 cm) thick are made without piping, while a 1.25 in (3 cm) cushion can take it. - An IKEA Hemnes daybed cover set is 5 pieces: 1 fitted mattress cover, 2 filled backrests and 2 filled bolsters. ## Piece by piece: where the piping goes - ✓ **Daybed mattress cover, zippered and plain:** piping is standard. - ✓ **Tufted bench cushions:** have been quoted with piping included. - ✓ **Floor cushions and other plain pieces:** piping can be added. - ✓ **Cover-only bolster for your own insert:** made round and plain, piped on request. - ✓ **Daybed backrests and armrests in a plain style:** piping, yes, after you've seen an example photo. ## What won't go together - ✗ **Piping on a tufted daybed backrest or armrest.** Choose the buttons or the welt for those pieces. - ✗ **Tufting on a cover-only order.** Tufting needs the shop's own filling, so your own insert gets a plain cover. - ✗ **A surprise switch.** The plain style isn't made until the shop has sent you an example photo. ## The daybed question, decided For an [IKEA Hemnes daybed cover set](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/ikea-hemnes-daybed-covers/), "piping in all parts, please" is a fair request with one condition: the backrests and armrests give up their tufting. A straight welt is a kind of honesty, and a daybed with one continuous piping line reads tailored from across the room. A tufted back reads softer and more traditional. I once assumed every piece could have both. It can't, and the example photo is there so nobody finds out on delivery day. The [tufted vs. plain](https://cushionguide.com/guides/tufted-vs-plain-cushions/) and [piping choices](https://cushionguide.com/guides/cushion-piping-matching-contrast-none/) Patterns lay out both looks. Which matters more to you, dear: the buttons or the line? > **Tailor's margin:** Tufted daybed backrests and armrests can't take piping; if you want piping on every piece, those pieces are made in a plain, non-tufted style. > A cover-only bolster for your own insert is made round and plain, because tufting needs the workshop's own filling; piping can still be added. > > — Maggie Holloway ## Buyer questions **A common question:** Can the daybed backrests and armrests have piping too, not just the mattress cover? **The workshop's answer:** Yes, but only in a plain, non-tufted style; tufted backrests and armrests don't take piping. The shop sends an example photo of the non-tufted look before making it. **A common question:** Can you tuft a cover if I bring my own filling? **The workshop's answer:** No. Tufting is only done when the shop makes the filling too, so a cover-only order is made round and plain. Piping can be added instead. **A common question:** Can you add piping around the edges? **The workshop's answer:** Yes, piping is no problem; it's standard on the non-tufted zippered covers. **A common question:** How do I tell you which piping color I want? **The workshop's answer:** Write the piping code from the fabric charts in the personalization box, for example "Body: code, Piping: code", or "piping same color" plus the code for self piping. No option on the form? Message the code. ## Questions buyers ask next ### Does piping cost extra on a plain cushion? No. Piping or no piping is a style choice at the same price. Piping gives crisp, tailored edges; leaving it off keeps them soft and clean, and orders split roughly half and half between the two. ### Can I see the plain backrest style before it's made? Yes. When daybed backrests and armrests are switched from tufted to plain so they can take piping, the shop sends an example photo of that look first, so you can agree to it before the pieces are sewn. ### What is self piping? Piping covered in the same fabric as the cushion, so the edge reads as a line of texture rather than a contrast. Order it by writing "piping same color" with the fabric code in the personalization box. ## Related at the atelier - [Do corduroy cushions have piping?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/corduroy-cushion-piping/): Corduroy daybed covers and modular floor sofa pieces are made without piping on purpose, because the ribs already give the cushion its lines and definition. - [Hemnes Daybed Cover in Ivory Linen-Look with Crimson Piping](https://cushionguide.com/readings/ivory-hemnes-daybed-crimson-piping-jute-rug/): To order Hemnes daybed covers right the first time, measure your own mattresses rather than trusting a listing, because Hemnes versions differ between countries. - [Hemnes Daybed Cover for Long Reading: Crimson, Mint Piping](https://cushionguide.com/readings/crimson-hemnes-daybed-mint-piping-palms/): A Hemnes daybed set becomes a place for long sitting when it has back cushions to lean on, bolsters at both arms and a fitted cover that stays smooth. - [Hemnes Daybed Cover in Cream Velvet with Rust Piping](https://cushionguide.com/readings/rust-piped-cream-velvet-hemnes-oak-side-table-tree/): Rust piping on a cream velvet Hemnes daybed cover works when warm wood or clay nearby repeats the rust. - [Can I buy just the back pillows and bolsters for my daybed?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/daybed-back-pillows-and-bolsters-only/): Yes, daybed back pillows and armrest bolsters can be bought on their own, without the mattress cover or seat cushion. - [Do you ship custom cushions to the UK, and what does delivery cost?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/uk-delivery-custom-cushions/): Custom cushions ship to the whole UK, Scotland included, and the workshop confirms shipping cost and timing with your quote. - [How to measure an IKEA Hemnes daybed: two stacked mattresses, one cover](https://cushionguide.com/guides/ikea-hemnes-daybed-cover-measuring/) - [How to make a daybed look like a sofa with back cushions and bolsters](https://cushionguide.com/guides/daybed-back-cushions-sofa-look/) *Stitch straight — Maggie* --- Written by Margaret Holloway (https://cushionguide.com/masters/maggie/) for CushionGuide (https://cushionguide.com/about/). The site explains made-to-measure cushions and the partner workshop makes them; measurements are in inches first. This Markdown mirrors the page at https://cushionguide.com/answers/piping-on-tufted-cushions/