There are lots of funny words that are unique to any industry and the fabric and decorating industry is no exception.  Passamenterie is the word of art in the design industry referring to all types of trim and embellishment on fabrics and furniture.  This would include  buttons, braiding, beading and embroidery.  Hopefully, this glossary will help you understand the terminology, making it easier choose trim for all your home decorating projects.

• Braid is just what it sounds like.  Several lengths of yarn ( in a single color or multiple colors) are braided together to create trim that is used for pillows, window treatments and furniture.  It often has a “lip” of fabric that makes it possible to sew directly into a seam.
• Fringe can be found in several different lengths and is used as window treatment or pillow trim as well as on throws, around the frame of a chair, sofa or ottoman or on a lampshade.  Words like brush and buillion are used to describe the different fringes available.
• Gimp is a flat braid that can be sewn onto the sides and hem of draperies or onto the face of a pillow to create a border.
• Cording , piping or welting is a piece of rope that has been wrapped with a solid piece of fabric and may or may not have a lip.   It there is not lip it must be glued or hand stitched onto the fabric.  This works well when trying to embellish a lampshade or picture frame; anything that does not have a seam.
• Nailhead trim are upholstery tacks that are hammered into the frame of the furniture on top of the fabric.  They are available in a brass, silver or bronze finish and add a sophisticated and sometimes masculine look to furniture.

This is just a sampling of some of the trim that is available.  You will also find tassels, buttons,  beading etc. that can be used to truly customize your upholstered and accent pieces.