How to Do a Basting Stitch When Quilting

Basting stitches hold the three layers of your quilt together while you put in the real quilting stitches.

Basting is often overlooked as an important quilting skill because the basting stitches are removed after the quilting is finished. If you skip over basting or do a poor job of it, however, your quilt will look haphazard and sloppily put together. Once you know how to baste a quilt properly, the actual quilting will seem easier and more pleasurable because you won't have to worry about your layers sliding around or causing puckers.

Things You'll Need

• Backing
• Batting
• Quilt top
• Thin upholstery needle
• Thread that contrasts with your quilt

Instructions

1. Lay your quilt backing on a level work surface that is large enough to accommodate your whole quilt. An empty hard floor is perfect for this. The backing should be laid down with its right side facing the floor. If it's a large quilt, secure the corners of the backing with a piece of masking tape so it doesn't move around while you add the other layers.

2. Lay your batting down on top of the backing. Smooth out any wrinkles. It doesn't matter if the backing extends beyond the edges of the backing at this point.

3. Lay your quilt top right side up on top of the batting. Make any adjustments necessary to ensure that the three layers are centered and wrinkle-free.

4. Thread your upholstery needle and tie a double knot in the end of your length of thread. Poke your needle through all three layers of the quilt in the center of the quilt and weave your needle in and out, about every 3 inches, working your way to the edge of the quilt. Make a simple knot at the edge of the quilt, and reload your needle with thread for the next row of stitches.

5. Begin again at the center of your quilt, and make long 3-inch basting stitches from the center of the quilt to the outside edge. Your goal is to make a grid of basting stitches all over the quilt.

6. Remove the basting stitches after you have finished quilting by cutting the threads near the knots at the ends of the rows and pulling them out. If you have used a contrasting color, it should be very easy to locate all of the basting threads.

Tips & Warnings

• Use upholstery needles because they pierce the three layers of fabric easily and don't leave holes.

• Invite friends to help you baste your quilt to make the work go faster.

• If your batting has been folded or rolled up in a plastic bag for some time, it may be quite wrinkled. It helps to allow the batting to air out for a day or so before you work with it.

• Don't make your stitches too small because they will be difficult to pull out later.

References

• Quilting Assistant: Basting Quilts
• "Threads": Perfect Your Hand-Quilting Stitch