Mark Alexander | Liason Embrace

Liason Embrace is a linen cord and tape trimming, a fine twisted cord carried on a flat linen flange so it can be set into a seam with the cord alone showing on the face. The cord is loosely twisted rather than tight, which gives it a softer, more matt line than a formal upholstery cord. On a cushion or seat edge it defines the shape without adding weight, which is all we want a cord to do.

The composition is 100 per cent linen and it is supplied by the half metre. There are four colourways: Jasper White and Ecru at the undyed end, Cement in the pale greys and Gunmetal as the darkest of the four. There is no repeat along the length, so order the running measure the job needs with an allowance on top. The flange is wide enough to be caught securely in a machine seam.

We use Liason Embrace inserted into the seam of a scatter cushion, around the edge of a fitted seat cushion, and along the join between a headboard face and its border. On curtains it can be applied to the leading edge, though we tend to keep cord for upholstery and use a flat tape at windows. Gunmetal against a pale linen gives a drawn line, and Ecru on natural cloth disappears into the seam. Order a sample to see it in your own light.

The flange is meant to be machine-stitched into the seam with a piping foot rather than glued or surface-applied, since glue on a twisted linen cord shows as a hard patch. At corners, snip into the flange up to the stitch line so the cord turns without pulling the seam in, and on a rounded corner ease it gradually rather than forcing a tight turn. Where the two ends meet, unpick a short length, cross the strands and bind them back into the seam. Allow 10 per cent for that finishing.

• Composition: 100% LI
• Sold by: the half metre
• Suitable for: Cushion seams, seat cushions, headboards, upholstery detail
• Care: Dry clean recommended
• Collection: Accent, Mark Alexander
• Colourways: 4 (Cement, Gunmetal, Jasper White, Ecru)