machine basting and gathering?

Question

I am in college and am using the dorm's sewing machine. The pattern calls for machine basting and I am not sure how to do this. It is a typical singer machine. Also I was wondering if hand basting would be easier.

Secondly, I am going to have to gather the dress at the seams. But I am not sure what the best way to do that is.

Answer 1

Susieq is right about machine basting. I don't think hand basting is any easiler or harder. Maybe just a little more time consuming.

As for gathering... once you've basted the piece that needs to be gathered, you can pull the thread and the material will gather. This is your chance to distribute the gathering evenly across the edge of the piece. Hold the gathered piece to the piece it will be sewn to to make sure they're both the same length. Once it's the right length and you're happy with how the gathering looks, sew across the gathering and remove the baste thread. Pin the pieces and sew them together.

P.S. Always put your pins in so they cross over the machine treads at a right angle. You could break the needle otherwise.

Answer 2

to machine baste means to sew the longest most loose stitch there is. on most machines that is #4. make sure you leave the threads long on both ends.then you pull a little bit at a time and gather as you go.you alternate from one end then the other.after you do this method you'll know it is better and faster then hand basting. I'm not for sure what you mean gather at the seams. do make sure you press open the seams to lay flat if you have to baste over them do so as they are flat each side laying one on one side of seam the other on the other side of seam. i hope you understand my directions and i wish you luck. if you made it into college you can master this.