DictionarybasteTemporary stitching
verb

baste

To sew temporarily with long, loose stitches.

She basted the sleeve in place before sewing the final seam.

Etymology

The older verb concerns sewing. English specializes it to provisional stitching: long, loose stitches hold material in place until the more permanent sewing is done.

More examples

  • Use loose stitches to baste the two layers together.
  • The tailor bastes the lining before the fitting.
  • He removed the thread used to baste the hem.

Forms

baste · bastes · basted · basting

Similar words

stitch
Stitch is general sewing; baste uses temporary, loose stitches to hold pieces in place.
tack
Tack makes light temporary attachments; baste commonly uses a longer line of loose stitches.