basting
A basting is when you sew some thread loosely through fabric to hold two pieces together while sewing. This is especially helpful for big or complicated projects.
When sewing, it can be hard to keep two large pieces of material from shifting around on each other as you stitch them together. That's where basting comes in - you sew a few loose threads between the two pieces so that they stay connected and don't get out of place. You do this before sewing the final stitches, and then later you rip out all the basting thread to reveal your neat seams. This technique is especially useful for big quilts or complex garments like dresses with lots of layers.
How common is "basting"?
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
verb
To sew with long or loose stitches, as for temporary use, or in preparation for gathering the fabric.
verb
To sprinkle flour and salt and drip butter or fat on, as on meat in roasting.
verb
To beat with a stick; to cudgel.
noun
The act by which a food item is basted.
Example: Use repeated bastings to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Real examples of "basting" in context
