How to Hand Sew a Basting Stitch

A basting stitch example

Basting stitches are extremely helpful when sewing. They are a wide stitch meant to help hold fabric together loosely and are easy to take out once you're done with them. They are ideal for holding together several layers of fabric while you are still working with them, ensuring that your fabric doesn't shift and ruin your work. If new to sewing, you will quickly learn the importance of the basting stitch.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Thread
• Needle
• Iron

Instructions

1. Prepare your fabric by pressing it and pinning it down.

2. Push your threaded needle through the underside of the two layers of fabric.

3. Push the needle through from your fabric's top side about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to the right from where you pushed it through the underside.

4. Your needle should now be pulled through the fabric. With the underside facing you, push the needle through the underside about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch from where you came through the top side.

5. 

   Repeat these steps, stabbing the needle and thread through both layers about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to the right, until you are finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Many patterns will call for basting stitches. Do not skip this step. It will ensure your fabric does not shift while you are working with it.