Cords 4 mm

Narrow casings in children's trousers, light sweatshirts and skirts, pouches, toiletry bags and drawstring bags. The fine thickness adds no bulk and passes through small eyelets and cord stoppers.

Check the inner diameter of your eyelets and the opening of the stopper. Both should measure at least 4 mm, ideally a little more so the cord runs smoothly. If you pass the cord through a stopper twice, allow extra room accordingly.

Knots, cord ends or metal caps are the quickest options. You can also whip the end with thread or wrap it in a narrow strip of fabric. Whether the tip can be heat sealed depends on the material, so always test on a spare piece first.

Drawstrings in hoods and around the neck are not allowed on garments for small children for safety reasons. Use flat stitched-on decorative cords, ribbing or press studs instead. For drawstring bags and totes, cords are perfectly fine.

Measure the casing on your pattern and add extra at both ends for pulling and tying. It is easier to cut generously and trim afterwards than to find the cord is a few centimetres short once it is threaded.

Fasten a safety pin or bodkin to one end and work it through the channel bit by bit, gathering and smoothing the fabric as you go. Secure the loose end with a pin so it cannot be pulled into the casing.