What is basting stitch in embroidery?

A long running stitch sewn around the design area before the design itself, holding the fabric, stabilizer and any topping together while it sews.

Stabilizers and hooping

Basting stitch, explained

Basting matters most when an item is floated rather than hooped, or when slippery fabric or a topping might shift. Many machines can add a basting box around the design from their own menu, so the stitch file usually doesn't need one. Basting stitches are long and usually not locked, so they pull out easily from the back once the design is done; the hooping guide covers when to float instead of hooping.

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