A Guide to Choosing Trimmings for Curtains, Blinds & Cushions
September 6, 2025
There are many ways to add detail to our interior design projects and one of my favourites is to use trimmings on soft furnishings and upholstery. I love the detail, colour, texture, and opulence, that trimmings add to our furnishings. They become part of our signature design look, by using trims made from natural yarns to add understated elegance.
There are many ways to add detail to our interior design projects and one of my favourites is to use trimmings on soft furnishings and upholstery. I love the detail, colour, texture, and opulence, that trimmings add to our furnishings. They become part of our signature design look, by using trims made from natural yarns to add understated elegance.
There are two reasons that trimmings can elevate your interiors: you are creating something completely unique to your home, and they are an exquisite detail to transform your home into something beyond the ordinary, that no one else will have. Trimmings are the attention to detail that can often be missed, and they will elevate your interiors from the ordinary to being simply beautiful.
Adding trimmings can make the difference between a good room and a great room.
Trimmings come in all shapes, colours, textures, and sizes, from simple understated trims to incredibly opulent designs. Personally, I avoid synthetic trims as they are often glossy, mostly imported, and not always of a decent quality. My preference is to use trimmings made of natural yarns such as wool, cotton or linen.
As with everything in interior design, when using trimmings, it is all in the smallest of details.
Today’s blog post will focus on how to choose trimmings for curtains, blinds and cushions, a brief history of trimmings, the distinctive styles of trims available and the best styles for soft furnishings.
Let us begin with a brief history of trimmings or Passementerie as it is also known in the industry.
Helen Izzard is a Somerset based interior design studio. We are known for designing quietly elegant interiors and using natural materials to create designs with longevity. With our commitment towards UK craftsmanship and manufacturing, every item is handcrafted using traditional workmanship. We have created a bespoke collection of British-Made Trimmings, which are entirely and exclusively handmade for us in the UK, using natural wool and cotton yarns.
A Brief History of Trimmings or ‘Passementerie’ as it is also known
Trimmings or Passementerie are synonymous with a wide variety of textile trimmings, including buttons, braids, fringing, tassels, and other decorative elements, both for the fashion industry as well as the interior design industry.
The word Passementerie derives from the French, and originates from the French word ‘passement’, which is a gold or silver lace or braid, and the word ‘parchmentry’, which refers to textile trimmings made from strips of parchment wrapped in silk, most particularly popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. Even though these terms were thought to come into the English language during the 16th century, the many items which now are considered part of the collective term passementerie were made much earlier.
History records usually present passementerie skills and their industries in the UK to various immigrant populations, from the 16th century onwards. Records show that the French passementerie industry was very well established by the 18th Century. However, records also show that for centuries before, English silkwomen were creating fine textile trimmings. Professional silkwomen could be found in all the major cities of medieval Europe, including London. They were highly skilled businesswomen, producing luxury silk goods for decorating clothing and furniture. Their customers were part of high society, and included the merchant classes, aristocracy, and royalty.
Although there was never an organised guild for Silkwomen, their work in London was protected by acts of Parliament, and imports which threatened their skills and livelihood were stopped.
There are many theories surrounding the decline of the silkwomen in England, and one of these was they were not protected by guild status, and their work was gradually taken over by men who were running their businesses. Alongside this, the invention of machines such as the ribbon weaving loom, which could weave numerous plain ribbons simultaneously, also influenced their work.
By the 18th century, a great many passementerie trimmings were imported into England from France., while others were mass produced. By the Victorian period, the desire for fashionable trimming was at its peak, as every edge of fabric was adorned with ribbons or fringes, and ornate and intricate tassels of that era.
As we enter the modern world of trimmings, machine mass-production create a diverse range of trimmings in what is now a global industry. Mainly imported and often of inferior quality or using dyes which have few controls over their toxicity and colour fastness.
Thankfully, we still have some incredible artisanal companies in the UK offering quality handcrafted manufacturing services, which allow us to have exceptional quality trimmings or passementerie for the interior design industry.
Fan Edge Trimmings
It is the perfect time to highlight one of our stunning fan edge trimmings!
Damselfly fan edge trim is an earthy petrol blue fan edge trimming. The tones are reminiscent of beautiful smokey teal blues, nephrite, or deep lake blues. We have combined various tones in the cotton yarn to create this unique colourway, which has created this wonderful blue fan edge trim. The inspiration behind Damselfly are the colours of the dragonflies and damselflies that dart around the rivers on Exmoor. The colours and vibrancy of these insects are incredible as they flit around or hover over the many fast flowing rivers.
Our collection of fan edge trimmings marks a celebration of British manufacturing and classically timeless trimming designs. We took a thoughtful & considered approach to selecting the finest natural yarns, to create a bespoke collection that we feel will stand the test of time. With an intentional commitment to sourcing locally and sustainably by supporting British manufacturing, our trims are entirely and exclusively handmade for us in the UK, using the finest natural cotton yarns.
Fan edge trimmings are pretty and delicate additions to any soft furnishings, especially the leading edges of curtains, the edges of cushions or pelmets, as well as the lower edges of roman blinds, adding understated elegance, colour and texture.
Fan edge trimmings can either be inserted between the main fabric and lining on leading edges to expose just the fan edge loops, or sewn to the outer leading edge for a more decorative finish.
How to use trimmings in your interior design project
This is a question we are frequently asked, as there is an array of trimmings and styles available now and so many uses for them. However, the principal areas to consider are where you will use them, such as the leading edges of curtains and pelmets, or the edges of cushions, or the bottom edges of a roman blind. All of these are the most popular choices, but there are some other things to consider which are equally as important, which we will talk about now.
The Purpose & use for trimmings
The purpose of your trimming choices is a key element. Are you aiming for a functional look, such as hiding or using a trim for edging, or purely for decoration.
Style & aesthetic
Style and aesthetics are key. Consider your room aesthetics and try to match the trim to the overall ambience of the room.
Material compatibility
As a maker, matching the trim composition to the fabrics being used in a project is important. It is important to make sure that the trimmings work well with your fabric choice and composition. For example, avoid heavy trimmings on a delicate fabric such as voile as it will overwhelm the cloth and result in the cloth wrinkling or sagging under the weight of the trimming.
Trimming care
Most trimmings are dry clean only, however there are some washable trims available on the market. Again, try to match the care of your chosen trimming to the fabric, is it would be non-sensical to use a dry clean only trim on a hand washable product.
Budget
Cost is an important area to consider as an excellent quality trimming has a premium price, which can affect the budget for each project. It is important to factor trimmings into your design budget before you start rather than after, not only from the cost’s element but also the making perspective and how the item is made. There are more budget-friendly options like polyester braid or ribbon available but bear in mind all the above alongside this.
Complimentary or contrast?
It is always important to consider your colour palette carefully, and to make sure that you can achieve the style you are planning. Choosing trimmings to match your fabrics and colour palette will lift and enrich the tones by adding another colour and texture.
However, at the other end of the spectrum, adding distinct colours entirely to your scheme can allow colours to pop. Any colour contrast will draw your eye to the trimmings used and help to make the trimmings a key feature. This is a particularly good option if you want to draw attention to a particular piece of furniture, or to the curtains leading edges, for instance.
Pattern & texture
Using trimmings in your interior design project instantly alters the look. Adding a patterned braid or fan edge trim to a curtain leading edge can elevate a plain fabric into a decorative feature, transforming it completely.
Adding trimmings such as tassels and fringes add both movement and texture into a scheme. Without trimmings, furnishings can look good but adding them can make elevate the finished look into something outstanding.
What are the best styles of trimmings for soft furnishings and how to use them
There are as many distinctive styles of trimmings to choose from as there are fabrics. The most popular styles will most probably be familiar to anyone who uses trimmings: flat braid, piping cord, fringes and tassels, fan edge, onion tassels and pom-poms.
Flat Braids:
Braid are flat decorative trimmings, similar to lace but more robust and with more texture. Braids are harder wearing, which makes them for decorative and functional purposes, such as used on the leading edges of curtains, roman blinds, pelmets, quilts, throws and cushions. Braids will add both colour and texture.
Fringes & Tassel Edge Trimming
Fringes and tassel edge trimmings works well when it can hang freely as a decorative trimming, making this style a perfect choice for decorating the lower edge of a pelmet, as well as the lower edges of lampshades for example.
Onion Tassel Trimmings
There are a range of styles of tassel trimmings, but my preference is the very elegant pulled up tassel trimming, as it is so versatile. Our Moorland Collection of Onion Tassel Trimmings has eight stunning colours to choose from and is crafted in the UK from pure wool and cotton.
Fan Edge Trimming
Fan edge trimmings are one of my favourites to use in projects. These trimmings feature delicate, fan-like loops and are made from natural materials like cotton yarn. Add them to the leading edge or hems of curtains for a decorative finish. Sew them into the seams or outer edges of cushions to add texture and elegant style. I often add them to the lower edges of Roman blind, so they add an understated finish to a blind whether it is pulled up or down. Fan edge trimmings also work well on pelmets, bedspreads, and tablecloths.
If you are interested in this style of trim, you may be interested in our Moorland Collection of fan edge trimmings. We have eight beautiful colours to choose from. Our trimmings are hand crafted in the UK from cotton yarn.
Piped Edge Trimming
Piped edge trimmings are inserted into a seam, to create a simple decorative edging, and is extremely popular cushions, and upholstery. There are ready-made piping cords available to purchase, but I always prefer to make my own as this allows me to create a much neater edging, and a more bespoke finish. Bespoke handmade piping is made with a bias-cut strip, which curves around corners, and is sewn to the raw edge of the fabric. With so many fabric choices available, you can create covered piping cord with the same fabric as the cushion or use a contrast to add extra interest.
Pom-Pom Trimming
Pom-pom trimmings have grown in popularity in the last few years and have always been one of the most popular trimmings, only recently surpassed by fan edge trimmings. They are perfect for adding soft but gentle detail to any sewing project. They are a particularly popular in children’s bedrooms where they are added to added to curtains, blinds, or cushions.
Why we chose to create our Moorland Collection of trimmings in the UK
I intentionally chose to develop our Moorland collection of Trimmings in the UK, not just for their beautiful bespoke quality, but I was also very conscious of making them as sustainable as possible and improving our carbon footprint.
Our trimmings are created from cotton and wool yarns, which are dyed at different mills. The cotton dyers are Oeko Tex certificated, and the wool dyers use organic dye molecules which give the dyes superior properties and are used to achieve stable and excellent long-lasting colours where light fastness is crucial.
Both processes and dyes are very strictly regulated. One of the dyers is located by a river, and they were 99.8% efficient on the latest audit.
There are no added finishings/chemicals applied to the trimmings in the weaving processes, they are simply weaving directly from the cones of fibres.
It was one of the reasons why I chose this mill for our collection, as they are very diligent about their processes and suppliers.
Is there anything else I need to know about trimmings?
The most important thing to remember is to allow creativity to guide your decisions and be guided by your interior designer if you are using one. And enjoy the creative journey along the way!
Trimmings have the ability to enhance your designs, but we are doing our homes a disservice by not having them at the front of our minds. Trimmings can be a brilliant way to help if you are keeping costs low.
Trimmings can be very impactful as you are creating something totally unique to your home, a design that no one else will have, and they act as a rare detail that can transform a room beyond the everyday.
Curtains, pelmets, and blinds are the most obvious items to use trims in your project but do not forget to consider cushions and furniture if you are on a tighter budget. A simple cushion with an eye-catching tassel fringe or braid will always elevate your room.
We have eight beautiful colours of Fan Edge Trims and Onion Tassel Trims in Our Moorland Collection of Trimmings, and we offer a bespoke colour service if you would like a specific colour to match your project.
Please get in touch with me if you would like to discuss this option.
