Baker Lifestyle | Tango Braid

Tango Braid is a woven trimming from Baker Lifestyle's Carnival book, a narrow flat braid rather than a bulky cord, designed to finish an edge cleanly rather than stand proud of it. It is a plain cotton weave with the two colourways running through it as a simple toned pattern rather than a bold motif. Because it is woven rather than printed, the pattern is reversible in effect, showing the same toned weave on both faces, so there is no right or wrong side to worry about.

It is 100 per cent cotton, 5 centimetres wide. Two colourways: Stone, a soft neutral, and Indigo, a deep blue that reads as a stronger accent against a pale ground. Both shades are woven from the same base yarns, so wear and light-fastness should be consistent across the two. Baker Lifestyle supply this braid specifically to work with the Carnival collection's fabrics, though it will sit happily against a plain linen or velvet from elsewhere in the range too.

We use a braid like this to finish the leading edge of a curtain, to define the edge of a cushion made up in a plain or lightly patterned cloth, or to trim a Roman blind for a more tailored look. It also reads well as an edge on a table runner or a simple bolster, wherever a clean line matters. Stone works as a quiet finish; Indigo adds a definite line of colour. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to check the colour against your cloth.

Measure the total edge length you need to trim and order a small margin over that figure to allow for turning corners and finishing ends. Have your maker attach it by machine wherever possible for a straight, even line, and hand-finish only the corners and returns. Dry clean any made-up piece that carries this braid rather than washing it separately.

• Composition: 100% cotton
• Width: 5 cm (2 in)
• Suitable for: Cushions, curtains, blinds
• Care: Professional dry clean only; do not wash, bleach or iron
• Collection: Carnival, Baker Lifestyle
• Colourways: 2 (Stone, Indigo)