How to Do a Basting Stitch
When you need to hold layers of fabric together temporarily, a simple basting stitch will do the job of securing the fabric. Basting stitches are large enough to enable their easy removal, yet the stitches can effectively hold the fabric for as long as necessary. Do a neat and even basting stitch to secure your fabric layers, and when you no longer need the fabric layers basted together, you can remove the stitches easily.
Instructions
-
-
1
Thread the needle with an 18-inch length of thread. Keep the thread in a single strand and tie a knot in the end of the thread.
-
2
Hold the fabrics together in the position you need them, making edges and corners even as necessary. Place the fabric layers together onto a flat surface so they will not shift.
-
-
3
Insert the needle up from the bottom of the fabrics at the point you wish to begin basting. Pull the thread through until the knot stops at the underside of the fabric.
-
4
Stitch long, even stitches with the needle, making each stitch about 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch long and making the distance between the stitches between 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch. Take the needle up and down from the top side and the bottom side of the fabric to make the stitches an even length.
-
5
Continue basting along the fabric, making the stitches a uniform length and spacing, until you reach the end of the area you need to baste.
-
6
Stop with the needle on the underside of the fabric and tie a knot in the thread so the knot sits flush against the backside of the fabric.
-
7
Clip the excess thread off with the scissors.
-
8
Remove the basting stitches by clipping off the knots on the underside of the fabric. Pull the basting stitches out from the top side of the fabric -- the thread should come out easily.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not pull the thread so tight while you baste that you gather or pucker the fabric. Keep the stitches loose enough that the fabric lies flat while you baste.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
