I have not purchased a sewing machine in over 20 years. I have a Brother XL2021 with 21 stitches. I had another Brother previously that was also 20 years old before I replaced it. The older Brother was just a basic machine with straight and zig zag stitches. I bought the newer one mainly because it had more stitches and made buttonholes. I was so happy with that XL2021, until now.

I started looking around for a new machine. Boy was I in for a shock! Not only the prices but what these machines can do. They thread their own needle (a wonderful invention for my older eyes), cut the thread, reverse
without holding down a button, and probably can dance if I let it.

I decided on a Baby Lock that also does embroidery. It didn’t make sense to me to purchase a machine without the embroidery. Now I have to learn how to use the machine. Fortunately the place where I purchased the machine offers lessons. You will soon see embroidery on my doll clothes.

Baste, baste, baste! I still remember those words from my home-ec teacher in grade school. She was right. Basting has saved me numerous hours of seam ripping even though it takes longer to baste than just pinning and
sewing.

Collars
Baste, using long hand stitching, down collars before pinning the facing to the neck edge. This keeps the collar from shifting during machine sewing. The collar stays where you want it. I usually use contrasting thread so I can easily see the basting stitches to remove them.

Zippers
After machine basting the center seam where you are placing the zipper, press open the seam. Next hand baste a zipper (regular zippers; not particularly invisible zippers) using the guides on the zipper and contrasting thread. Turn the garment to the right side. Sew the zipper using the basting stitches as a guide. This will make your stitches more even on either side of the center seam.

Let me know some of the other things you baste. Whether you are making doll clothes or an outfit for yourself, take the time to baste, baste, baste!