Mark Alexander | Tresser

Tresser is a plaited braid from the Accent II collection. The strands are worked over one another rather than woven flat, so the face carries a shallow diagonal rhythm and a good deal more relief than a plain tape. It is predominantly linen, which keeps the hand dry and matt, with a small proportion of cotton and acrylic in the blend to hold the plait's shape over a long run. The result is a trim with visible making in it, which is the whole reason to use a braid rather than a tape.

The composition is 79% linen, 17% cotton, 3% acrylic and 1% polyester, sold by the half metre. Three colourways are offered: Ecru, Plaster and Gumetal. Ecru is the warm undyed tone, Plaster a touch greyer and more neutral, and Gumetal the dark one, a soft pewter that reads almost as a shadow line against a pale cloth. Because the plait is three-dimensional, each colourway shows more tonal range in the room than its name suggests.

We use Tresser on the leading edge of linen curtains and around the border of a cushion, where the diagonal picks up light and gives an otherwise plain face something to look at. It is also good run along the seat edge of an upholstered bench. Gumetal on a cream linen is the pairing we specify most often, because it draws the line without introducing another colour. Order a sample to see it in your own light.

Hand-sewing is the right approach here. A plaited braid worked down with adhesive loses its relief wherever the glue soaks in, and the line of it flattens. Stitch along both edges with a fine thread, taking the needle into the ground of the plait rather than over a strand. Mitre at corners, and ease rather than stretch around a curve or the plait will open. Allow 10 centimetres on every run for returns and for tucking the cut ends under.

• Composition: 79% LI 17% CO 3% PC 1% PL (linen, cotton, acrylic, polyester)
• Sold by: Half metre
• Suitable for: Curtain edges, cushions, bench and seat detail
• Care: Dry clean recommended
• Collection: Accent II, Mark Alexander
• Colourways: 3 (Ecru, Gumetal, Plaster)