I hadn't heard of using basting tape for quilting either, so I looked online for some answers. I found some sources saying that the basting tape should be left in and others saying it's never left in. Most of them were using the tape for heavier fabrics, like sail making, rather than for quilting. Some gave advice on how to keep your needle from getting gunky, but still said to remove the tape when done. The best I can figure is that you would use a thin tape that just goes in the seam allowance and not sew directly on it, then remove it when you're done sewing. I think I'll stick with pins! Or another solution is to use washable glue. I don't do that (yet) but many people do.