French term (edited): petits biais cousus fronc�s

Sounds a bit as if this might be what you're referring to

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs 5 mins (2005-11-04 20:41:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I don't think you can use it in the plural, but you might say something like '2 strips of...' etc.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs 6 mins (2005-11-04 20:42:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Isn't 'puckered' a word that is used for this kind of finishing?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 4 hrs 17 mins (2005-11-05 22:53:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

What about 'ruched appliqué trim'?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 4 hrs 40 mins (2005-11-05 23:16:25 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Rachel: you've got me a bit mystified there!? I didn't say a word about 'piping' (to me, that is something quite different, for which there is a distinct term in FR)

As for the 'froncés' bit, I wondered if 'ruched' wouldn't be a better way to describe it? I'm not too sure of my ground here, but I know that was a term my Mum used to use to describe this sort of thing, though I'm not sure if she was using it accurately or not?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 4 hrs 41 mins (2005-11-05 23:17:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Well, OED has this to say:

ruche

A n. A frill of gathered ribbon, lace, etc., used esp. as a trimming. E19.

B v.t. Trim with a ruche or ruches. L19.

ruched a. trimmed with a ruche or ruches; gathered into a ruche or ruches: M19.

ruching n. (a) trimming made of ruches M19.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 14 hrs 25 mins (2005-11-06 09:01:40 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Suezen, in relation to your added notes:

Piping is the sort of edging often found on cushions, upholstery etc., usually sewn into an edge seam, and often incorporating some kind of string/cord 'filler' to produce a rounded effect.

Binding involves wrapping a piece of fabric round the edge of another --- for decorative effect, but also to stop it fraying.

Bias binding is used because it is stretchy, and most importantly, can be stretched to go round bends without wrinkling. It's important to appreciate that 'binding' can refer not only to the process, but also to the actual material itself, which can be bought ready made, and usually has the form of a strip or 'ribbon' of material (cut on the bias, of course), and folded round on itself on each side to form a flat 'tube' that has an open seam down the back. All this makes it easy to apply folded round an edge, or set into a seam (with or without a filler) for piping. But it is also sometimes used in its own right, flat, as a decorative item, as an alternative to ribbon, and more suitable for application where curves may be required.

HOWEVER, I have noted that in French haberdashery, the term is sometimes used somewhat loosely to apply to other kinds of 'braid' or 'trim', and I suddenly wondered if this whole 'froncé' bit isn't in fact referring to that narrow, 'wavy' braiding that was dreadfully fashionable at one time, and which I think may have come back again --- the sort of thing that goes with gingham and smocking (quel horreur !)

I could see how someone might describe it (inaccurately) as 'biais', and it would almost certainly be sewn on, but would be different from something 'gathered' or 'ruched'