Here are a couple of reasons why basting stitches are useful in machine embroidery.

What Are Basting Stitches?

Basting stitches are a wonderful tool for helping to hold embroidered items to hooped stabilizer. They stitch a block around the embroidery area or slightly inside the hoop area. After embroidery, you just snip them and remove the threads. 

Check your manual as most embroidery machines have the capability to baste or frame around the embroidery design. Otherwise, you can find free files by searching online.

Many in-the-hoop designs and quilting designs have basting stitches already built in. Here are some examples of when you should use basting stitches.

When Should You Use Basting Stitches?

Hard-to-Hoop Items

If you can’t hoop an item, you often float it on the stabilizer. That is where basting stitches are particularly necessary. Basting the Item to the stabilizer helps to keep it in place while embroidering.

Basting stitches also help hold slippery fabrics like organza, as well as bulky items like toweling or quilt batting layers, securely in place.

Adding a Topper 

When embroidering towels, linens, or fleece blankets, an embroidery topper helps to keep stitches from sinking out of sight. Basting stitches hold toppers in place. 

If you embroider designs that include mylar, basting stitches also help hold it in place.

Debbie SewBlest