taiboo

I see sooo many people talk about it...I literally have NO CLUE what that is LOL..

Can anyone shed some light please?

raptureready

It's a more loosely woven cotton fabric that can be either bleached (white) or unbleached (sort of beige). It usually has a few brown flecks here and there. It's a little more lightwieght, breaths well, and is less expensive that quilting fabric. It's used a lot as backings or as the background if you're wanting your quilts to look more "Vintage." It also has a tendency to shrink so it should be prewashed. It comes in different weights and widths. Next time you're at a fabric store just ask them and they'll show it to you. Hope this helps.

miss_ticky2

That sounds like what we know as calico here in Australia, if I'm not mistaken

Gal

Yes miss, I believe you are right, although since moving back to NZ, about a week ago, for the first time ever, in a sewing machine shop, which had a few quilting fabrics I actually saw what they labeled as quilters muslin, and it was like a super soft beautiful weight of craft calico! I had never seen it before! I loved it!

Gal

miss_ticky2

oh ok..that's interesting Gal. By the way..sweet kitty you have there :)

Gal

Hi miss, sweet kitty, don't be fooled, he is one big tom cat, cost us $1,000 to fly him to NZ from OZ when we moved here and do you want to know the worst of it, he only eats Roo meat and it is 'triple' the price over here! Grrrrrrrrr!

Gal
PS
Muslin to me is something I would strain my 'apple jelly' through!

C.Cal Quilt Girl

Muslin in the U.S. it's as Reptureready describes, comes in sizes from 44 to 108 inches wide sold by the yard, and in several different weights, (threads per sq inch) (someone correct me if I'm Wrong)
Calico to me is cotton, with smaller print floral patterns, then there are themed prints (sponge bob, Angels) for example.
Keep describing the examples and we can all learn more!
Thanks for starting this will be interesting to watch :)

Gal

'Down under', that is in Australia and New Zealand, calico is the name given for a plain cream or bleached 100% cotton fabric, comes in 90cm width up to 240cm, used to back curtains or for craft or to try a pattern out on before cutting into expensive fabrics etc. What we buy here is made in Pakistan. It shrinks and has a lot of dressing in it but is a very useful fabric, I use the better quality to back my quilts with.

Gal

earthwalker

I have seen muslin here in Perth, bit like cheesecloth but a closer weave and a little heavier. The fabric Raptureready describes as muslin seems to be what we call calico. I often purchase calico, but the cloth is not a loose weave, quite dense and can be thicker than regular 100% cotton and yes...it does shrink considerably.

Confusing...isn't it! It's almost as tricky as converting crochet patterns!

C.Cal Quilt Girl

I think confusing is right..... perhaps someone out there has experienced quilting on both continents, can fill in the holes.
:) :)