Basting Basics
If you have done much sewing, you have probably come across the instruction to “baste” something in place. For those new to sewing, you might be wondering what this means and how to do it. Basting is a foundational skill all sewists need, because it is used frequently and in all kinds of sewing. Today, we are talking basting basics!
What is basting?
Basting is the act of temporarily tacking down a seam or piece of fabric while sewing. It is done before the final seam is stitched in. There are many ways to baste, and many reasons why you’d need to.
Common reasons for basting
- To tack many layers of fabric together instead of pinning to anchor for a neater final seam
- To hold a seam in place so you can check for accuracy before the final seam- used commonly with zippers!
- To help keep slippery fabrics in place while working with them
- To add layers of fabric individually before a final seam sews them all- for example, multiple layers of tulle
- To adhere non-fusible interfacing to the wrong side of a fabric before it can be held in place with final seams
- When making a draft/muslin/toile, basting lets you easily take seams apart for adjusting your pieces to find the perfect fit
- To use in place of pins/clips on very bulky projects like bags
- Tacking details like trim to a piece of fabric before the seam is completed
- and more!
Basting can be used any time you need to temporarily anchor something, before your final seam holds everything in place for good!
How do you baste?
There are many ways to baste! A basting stitch is traditionally a long, loose stitch, that is easily removed. Occasionally a basting stitch may disappear into the final seam where removal is unnecessary, but there are also plenty of times when you will need to remove the basting stitch after the permanent seam is completed. For this reason, a basting stitch should be one that is very easy to remove- especially in knit fabrics when seam ripping is more difficult! Basting can also be done using glue, spray, iron-on tape, etc.
Let’s look at a few ways of basting!
Basting Stitches
Sewing a basting stitch is the most common way to baste. You can do this by machine or by hand. Here are some examples:
Hand Basting
Basting by hand is as simple as it gets! A needle, some thread, and a long running stitch. Just work the needle and thread in and out of the fabric in nice long stitches, tacking down the areas you need secured. I prefer to leave long tails rather than knot/tie off the ends, to make removal even easier.
Machine Basting
On a machine, there are multiple ways to baste. The simplest is to set the stitch length as long as your machine allows. Similar to a gathering stitch, you’ll sew a long stitch where needed. I prefer to leave long tails rather than backstitch, but you can decide what works best for your project!
Some machines have a specific basting stitch, and even if yours doesn’t, you can do this manually. Sew one single stitch. Lift the needle and presser foot, and move your fabric as far as you’d like, creating a very long gap. Continue this process until finished. This method is excellent for using in place of pins, since you can tack it down spaced out rather than as a continuous seam. It is also extremely easy to remove. This method is my favorite for tacking a folded edge I will later top stitch in place, like when sewing a collar lining!
Occasionally you will need your basting stitch to stretch. If you need to hold pieces of stretch fabric together and you need them to maintain their elasticity while sewing the rest of the project, baste using a zigzag stitch. Set the stitch length as long as it goes. I also like it to be a bit wide. Baste with this stitch when you need the fabric to be able to stretch.
Alternative Basting methods
In addition to stitches, there are other tools and methods you can use!
Basting Tools
Basting spray! Basting spray is wonderful for large projects. I love basting spray for adhering interfacing to large bag pieces. You spray it on the back of a piece of fabric, then attach the second piece. It holds similar to glue, but you can spray big areas at once. Tip- lay down a painting cloth, trash bag, etc. first to catch stray adhesive bits!
Basting glue. Sewline glue is a favorite here; it is made specifically for this purpose. It washes out and won’t gum up your machine needle! It is in a holder like a pen so it is very easy to apply it accurately into a seam allowance. Purple Elmer’s glue is also a favorite of many sewists. Glue is handy with hems especially! Apply a line of glue to the edge of fabric, and fold. It holds in place until you sew. It also works really well on zippers!
Washaway basting tape. This is a special type of iron-on adhesive. It comes in rolls of thin strips. Some have a paper backing and some don’t. Apply using manufacturer’s directions depending on the type. Essentially, you put it between layers of fabric and press with your iron (don’t press the adhesive straight to your iron!!), and it locks in place. This is a great method for something like a concealed seam in a waistline- you can use it to keep the lining in place while you carefully stitch it down from the right side for a professional quality finish!
Basting is a foundation skill for all sewists to learn
Learning how to baste well is crucial to completing beautiful projects. A simple basting stitch by hand will do the job on most projects, but the more methods you know, the easier it is to find the perfect method for your specific project.
And my biggest piece of advice? If a pattern tutorial tells you to baste… BASTE! Trust that the pattern designer/writer knows that basting on that step will result in the best possible finish on your project. Understanding basting and using it when necessary is a big step toward a perfect finish no matter how tricky the project.
Do you have a favorite basting method not mentioned? Let us know! We’ve love to hear from you in our Facebook community, full of other sewing enthusiasts who love to share their knowledge and experience.
