Question for L/A's
 

How important is the basting stitch on your L/A machine? Do you use it often?

I never use the basting stitch. I prefer to set the stitch length myself.

Every now & then I have a hand quilter customer come over & have me baste their quilt sandwich for them-- its pretty important then. Sometimes I have a project I need to baste. It is nice to have when I need it

Some machines you can do one stitch at a time. Stitch ... move the machine ... stitch ... move the machine - so in effect you are basting. A lot of quilters will use this, or a "basting stitch" if their machine has one, to secure the quilt top to the batting and backing before they start quilting.

So yes ... I would say that some type of basting stitch, either automatic or manual, is necessary.

I don't use the basting stitch. I'm not even sure my machine does it. I only quilt for myself and close friends, not as a business.

Never used it.

The only time I have basted was when I knew I would be travelling back and forth with vertical designs.

Nope. Never use it.

I use a long stitch to baste the 3 layers together at the top of the quilt to begin. I also baste down each side to stabilize the quilt as I advance the quilt.

Me too, this is what I do a lot of the time.