What is a Basting Stitch? The Secret to Precision Sewing
In the rush to finish a project, it is tempting to skip steps. You might skip ironing, or you might skip pinning. But the one step beginners skip most often—and regret the most—is basting.
Think of basting as the “scaffolding” of your sewing project. It holds everything together temporarily while you construct the permanent structure. Without it, fabrics slip, zippers go in crooked, and pleats lose their shape.
A Basting Stitch (also called “tacking”) is a long, loose, temporary stitch intended to be removed. It is used to hold fabric layers in place during fitting or before final stitching.
According to Vocabulary.com, it is essentially a loose stitch used to secure layers “until the final sewing.”
1. Basting vs. Standard Stitching
To understand basting, you have to visualize the stitch length. A standard permanent stitch is tight and difficult to remove. A basting stitch is long and pulls out easily.
Standard Stitch
Length: 2.5mm (Permanent)
Basting Stitch
Length: 5.0mm (Temporary)
2. When Should You Baste?
You don’t need to baste every seam. If you are sewing two squares of cotton together, pins or clips are fine. Basting is reserved for tricky situations.
1. Inserting Zippers
Zippers love to slide around under the presser foot. Basting them in place ensures they don’t bubble or twist during the final sew.
2. Fitting Garments
Never sew a final seam until you know it fits! Baste the side seams, try the dress on, adjust, and then sew for real.
3. Slippery Fabrics
Silk, satin, and velvet are notoriously difficult. Pins distort the fabric. Hand basting keeps the layers perfectly flat.
4. Quilting Layers
Holding the quilt top, batting, and backing together requires either spray baste, safety pins, or long hand-basting stitches.
3. How to Baste by Machine
Machine basting is fast and perfect for long straight seams (like side seams on a skirt).
- Change Settings: Set your Stitch Length to the maximum setting (usually 4.0mm or 5.0mm).
- Lower Tension: Slightly lower your top thread tension. This helps the thread pull out easier later.
- Do Not Backstitch: Never backstitch at the start or end of a basting stitch, or you won’t be able to remove it.
- Sew: Stitch as normal.
- Remove: Once the final seam is sewn, pull the bobbin thread of the basting stitch, and it should slide right out.
4. How to Baste by Hand
Hand basting gives you the most control. It is essential for “easing” fabric, such as setting a sleeve cap into an armhole.
Use a single thread (do not knot the end if you want it to pull out easily, or use a small tail knot). Simply weave the needle in and out of the fabric, creating large stitches about 1/2 inch to 1 inch long. Use a contrasting thread color (like red thread on white fabric) so you don’t accidentally leave it in.
Superior Threads Vanish-Extra Water Soluble Thread
The ultimate cheat code for basting. Instead of pulling the stitches out with tweezers, you just wash the garment (or spray it with water), and this thread dissolves completely! Perfect for quilting or temporary hem placement.
Check Price on Amazon5. Removing Basting Stitches
The job isn’t done until the basting is gone. If you sew over your basting stitches with your permanent stitch, they can be annoying to pick out.
Ideally, sew your permanent line just next to the basting line, not directly on top of it. Once secure, you need a sharp tool to remove the temporary thread.
Clover Seam Ripper (Pro Grade)
Stop using the tiny plastic ripper that came with your machine. This ergonomic ripper is sharp enough to slice through basting threads without tugging the fabric, saving your hands and your project.
Check Price on AmazonRelated: Best Cutting Tools for Sewists
Conclusion
Basting might feel like “doing the work twice,” but it saves you from “ripping the work out three times.” It is the mark of a patient, skilled sewist. Whether you use a machine setting or a hand needle, adding this step to your workflow will immediately improve the accuracy of your finished projects.
Ready to tackle a new project with your basting skills? Check out our list of Best Patterns for Intermediate Sewers to test your precision.
