When a product description states that it has self cording or contrast cording (also known as a welt) it simply means that we have taken a standard ¼” cotton cord and have covered the cord in a fabric and have sewn the fabric onto the cord.
Self cording means that we use the same fabric as the product to cover the cording in and contrast cording means we are either using the secondary (contrast) fabric or possibly a different fabric that coordinates with the main fabric.
We then take the fabric covered cord and sew it into the seam of the product. This will give the product a finished more custom look.