Plaid Matching by Slip Basting

I am working on a plaid coat and found a method to help with plaid matching. It is called Slip Basting.

I found it in The Art of Couture Sewing by Zoya Nudelman but the example and instruction photos seemed incorrect to me so I’ll put my version up here for future reference. The photos might be correct for some instances of use but for my purposes it would be like appliqueing one fabric on top of another. I am seaming the front facing onto the front of a new coat.

———————————-

First determine exactly where the seam line should be on the front of your fabric. Then place the fabric right sides together with one of the seam allowances folded back so you can match up the plaids and threads. My example is the coat front being matched up to the front facing.

I am stitching with basting thread just a tiny bit into the seam allowance so the basting thread will not be visible in the machine stitching. That means that I will avoid stitching right on the thread.

Working from right to left (I am right handed) I am taking a stitch through the bottom layer and then moving a thread’s width down the seam I am taking a stitch through the top piece of fabric.

This is an easy and relaxing way to make sure the seam is exactly where you want it and correctly matched to it’s mate.