Overview
Basting is an important part of many sewing projects, as it provides a foundation for garment construction and helps to keep pieces of fabric in place while sewing. It can be particularly useful in garment fitting and also when working with slippery fabrics or stretchy fabrics. While hand basting is still commonly used, you can also do it on a sewing machine. In this article, we will explore how to do basting stitch on a sewing machine and the benefits it offers over traditional hand basting.
What is Basting?
Basting is a very simple sewing technique that involves a long, loose, temporary stitch used to hold fabric in place. It’s typically done either by hand or with a sewing machine, and according to the sewing pattern that’s being followed. If a person is doing hand basting, they would use a long stitch (that can be removed easily later) and use thread of the same color as the fabric so that it is easy to remove. With the sewing machine basting, the stitch length should be much longer than a normal sewing stitch so that it can be removed easily after completing the garment.
Benefits of Using a Sewing Machine for Basting
Basting with a sewing machine has many advantages over traditional hand basting. One of the key advantages is the speed – while hand basting can be quite time consuming with lots of long stitches that need to be done, using a sewing machine can save you both time and energy. Machine basting also offers a more consistent result, since it’s easier to control the distance between the stitches and the tension. When basting by hand, it can be challenging to keep the stitches even and the tension the same throughout.
In addition, you can use a seam-ripper to quickly and easily remove the basting stitches, making it much simpler to unpick any mistakes or wrong side-seams. You can also use the sewing machine’s pressure foot to help you fit garments more precisely. Basting stitches hold the fabric in place, allowing you to make minor adjustments before stitching the final seam.
Step by Step Guide to Basting on a Sewing Machine
1. Select the longest stitch on your sewing machine.
2. Replace the pressure foot on the machine with a basting foot (also known as a quilting foot).
3. Adjust the stitch length dial on the machine until the stitches are still nice and loose (but not too long).
4. Tape the fabric to the machine table or use basting pins to keep the fabric in place.
5. Position the fabric under the needle and lower the needle into the fabric.
6. Place the basting foot over the fabric and make sure the needle is in the inside groove of the foot.
7. Begin sewing, keeping a consistent speed, moving along in a straight line.
8. When you come to the end of the seam, back stitch a few stitches, raise the needle and cut the thread to secure the basting stitches.
Tips for Basting on Sewing Machine
1. Consider using fine metallic thread instead of regular thread, as it can create a stronger hold.
2. Before beginning, practice basting on scrap fabric to get comfortable with the technique.
3. Make sure that all basting stitches are relatively loose and easy to unpick.
4. Don’t forget to remove the basting stitches after construction is completed.
Alternatives to Sewing Machine Basting
If you don’t have access to a sewing machine, you can still do basting by hand. All you need is a needle and some long, loose stitches. A great alternative to basting by hand is the use of water-soluble stabilizers such as Solvy, which dissolve in water but provide the same hold that a basting stitch would. These can be used to hold fabric in place while sewing and can be easily removed afterwards.
Summary
Basting is a useful technique for securing fabric while sewing and can be done both by hand and using a sewing machine. Sewing machine basting has many advantages over hand basting, including speed and precision. To do machine basting, you need to use a longer stitch length, a basting foot, and fine metallic thread, and practice on scraps first. Additionally, there are other alternatives, such as water-soluble stabilizers, which can also be used to hold fabric in place. Doing basting on a sewing machine can be a great way to save time and get a perfect finish on your project.
