• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
TREASURIE
  • FREE PATTERNS
  • Sewing
    • Techniques
    • How to Sew
    • Embroidery
    • Quilting
    • Face Mask Pattern
    • Fashion Types
    • Fabric Care
    • Fabric Types
  • Crochet
  • Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Tie Dye
    • Paper Crafts
    • Paper Mache
    • Christmas
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Pattern Shop
  • Sewing Tutorials
  • Free Sewing Projects
  • Crochet
  • Embroidery
  • Quilting
  • Fabric Care
  • Fabric Types
  • Fashion Types
  • Crafts
×

Home » Sewing » Sewing Techniques

BASTING STITCH - What is it & When to use it

Share this Article:
TwitterFacebookPinterestPrint

So, what is basting stitch? Basting in sewing creates professional results and helps beginners hold tricky seams in place. When basting a seam you temporarily hold a seam together before the final seam is stitched. By taking a little extra time to do either machine basting stitch or hand basting, you will get great results with the minimum of unpicking.

what is basting stitch, machine basting, hand bastingPin
What is Basting Stitch

Contents

  • What Is Basting Stitch?
  • Basting Stitch for Seams
  • Basting Stitch for Sewing
    • Hand Basting Stitch
    • Machine Basting Stitch
  • Alternatives to Basting Stitch
    • Pin Basting
    • Double-sided and iron on tapes
    • Basting with Wonder Clips
    • Improvised Basting
    • Basting Spray and Glue
  • How to Unpick a Basting Stitch
  • Basting Stitch - What is Basting - In Conclusion
  • More Beginner Sewing Articles

What Is Basting Stitch?

A basting stitch is just a temporary stitch to hold several pieces in place. My mother calls it tacking and when she sews she will tack EVERYTHING. Needless to say, she makes very few major mistakes that need unpicking.

It might be a gathered skirt attaching to a waistband, a piece of bias tape on the edge of a quilt, or a sleeve joining to an armhole. Zippers can benefit from a basting stitch as you will need to sew close to the teeth and don't want it to move before you sew. Basting stitch is also useful for difficult fabrics such as silk that will slip around under the sewing machine foot.

Before serging, it is important to do basting stitch as it is harder although not impossible to unpick the seam if you make a mistake. When I am sewing leotards, I always machine or hand baste the seams before using my serger. Serging also cuts some of the seam allowances so you need to be sure everything is working first.

Basting Stitch for Seams

There are several ways you can baste a seam. They include using a basting stitch or using tapes and clips to hold the fabric.

  • Hand basting stitch
  • Pin basting
  • Basting with wonder clips
  • Double-sided or iron on tape
  • Machine basting
  • Improvised basting
  • Spray basting glue

The most common one you will use in the majority of clothing sewing patterns is machine basting. This is closely followed by pin basting and hand basting.

Basting Stitch for Sewing

Basting stitch can be done by hand or machine and is best done in a contrasting color so it can easily be identified and removed at the end if necessary. Where possible, always baste just inside the seam allowance so it does not need to be removed.

Hand Basting Stitch

When you need accurate control of a project you can’t beat hand basting. This is especially useful when setting in sleeves to armholes or joining curved pieces. Even experienced sewers will hand baste to get the best results.

Use an all-purpose needle and thread it with a strong polyester thread. For most fabrics, it is best to thread double. Ultra-fine fabrics may just need a single thread so as not to make large holes in the fabric.

The best basting stitch is a simple up and down running stitch about ¼ – ½ inch (6mm-12mm) apart. The smaller the stitches, the more control you will have. For rough hand basting stitch, you can do several up and down stitches at once. Precise basting stitch should be sewn with one stitch at a time on a marked line.

Secure the ends with a small knot or backstitch.

hand basting stitch for sewingPin
Hand Basting Stitch

Machine Basting Stitch

Lots of my sewing patterns use machine basting to hold pieces in place before sewing the final seam. Machine basting is best done on straight pieces of fabric. You may want to place pins to lightly secure the edge first.

Machine Settings for Basting Stitch

Basting is done with a straight stitch and an all-purpose sewing machine foot with the needle in the center.

Just set your machine to the longest stitch length which should be at least 4.0. Some machines may go up to 6.0-9.0. Check your sewing machine tension. You may need to loosen it slightly especially if you will need to remove the stitches at the end.

Most of the time the basting will be hidden in the construction of the garment but if you need to remove it later, using a contrasting thread will enable you to unpick it easily. A long stitch length can often just be pulled out by steadily holding the loose tail.

machine basting stitch, what is basting stitchPin
Machine Basting Stitch

Alternatives to Basting Stitch

While it is the best, basting stitch is not the only way to hold the fabric in place.

Pin Basting

Using pins is one of the fastest and easiest basting methods. Pin fabric by placing pins vertically or horizontally to your seam.

Sewing over pins is definitely not recommended, so remove them to prevent breaking a needle or possibly your machine!

pin basting for sewingPin
Use Pins instead of Basting Stitch

Double-sided and iron on tapes

Iron on double-sided tapes such as Wonder Tape is great for basting before sewing knit fabric hems. Not only do they hold the hem in place before you start sewing, but they also eliminate puckered hems. If sewing leather or vinyl, double-sided tape can hold hems without worrying about holes from pins.

Alternatives to Basting Stitch - TapesPin
Alternatives to Basting Stitch - Tapes

Basting with Wonder Clips

These cute little clips are used by quilters and bag makers to hold bulky seams in place. I have found they tend to slip slightly on thinner fabrics so save them for bulky projects.

Use Clips instead of Basting StitchPin
Use Clips instead of Basting Stitch

Improvised Basting

If you need to hold vinyl or other fabric in place that marks easily, consider heading to your cupboards for help. Try hair clips, paper clips or even pegs.

Improvise instead of Basting StitchPin
Improvise instead of Basting Stitch

Basting Spray and Glue

Basting spray is a light glue that is often used by quilters to temporarily hold the layers together. The glue usually washes out after the item is finished. Basting spray is also common when sewing leotards with layers of applique.

The idea is that this glue is not permanent making it easy to reposition fabric until you get it in the correct position. Most of these sprays should only be used in well-ventilated rooms so read the instructions carefully.

How to Unpick a Basting Stitch

Basting stitch is best unpicked using a seam ripper. Because it is such a loose and long stitch, you should be able to gently pull out the thread after you have made a couple of cuts in the stitching line. Remove small bits of thread left behind with a lint roller.

Unpicking Basting StitchPin
Unpicking Basting Stitch

Basting Stitch - What is Basting - In Conclusion

So next time your pattern calls for basting stitch or basting, think of all the methods you could use and choose the one that makes your life easier! What is your most used method of basting? Share your thoughts below.

More Beginner Sewing Articles

  • Sewing Over Pins
  • Running Stitch for Basting 
  • Sewing 101
  • Sewing Room Organization
4.8/5 - (29 votes)
« How to Sew Mitered Corners - The Best Ways
Free Crochet Coaster Patterns - 35 of the Best »

Bestselling Sewing Patterns

  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern
  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Pattern Shop

Newsletter

loader

Popular

  • Face Mask Pattern 
  • How to Make Cushion Covers 
  • Burp Cloth Pattern – 3 Styles
  • How to Make a Scrunchie {2 sizes}
  • How to Make a Pillowcase
  • 6 Best Seam Finishes for Fabric
  • How to Gather
  • How to Make Curtains
  • How to Make a Quilt
  • How to Tie Dye
  • Sewing Machine Brands
  • How to Make a Scrunchie
  • How to Sew a Rip
  • How to Make Tassels
  • Types of Skirts
  • Sewing Projects for Beginners
  • Fabric Names

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy/Copyright
  • Sewing Pattern Shop
  • Printing Help
  • Disclaimers/Affiliate/Advertising
  • Site Map

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Social

Popular

  • How to Sew
  • How to Embroider
  • How to Crochet
  • Fashion Styles
  • How to Macrame
  • How to Knit
  • How to Tie Dye

Copyright © 2022 Treasurie. All rights reserved.