Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Is muslin good for backing? >
  • Is muslin good for backing?

  • Is muslin good for backing?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 02-08-2011, 08:06 PM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Renee110's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: Tennessee
    Posts: 768
    Default

    I'm looking for my backing fabric, and wondered about muslin. Is it suitable? I am handquilting this quilt, so if it IS suitable, is it easy to stitch through?
    Renee110 is offline  
    Old 02-08-2011, 08:11 PM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Dec 2008
    Location: Western Wisconsin
    Posts: 12,930
    Default

    Muslin is a very suitable backing fabric and is easy to quilt through. Many antique quilts were made with muslin backing.

    As others have mentioned, it needs to be good quality muslin!
    Prism99 is offline  
    Old 02-08-2011, 08:11 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
    Posts: 8,562
    Default

    Muslin does work, yes, and can be needled just fine.

    But........it has a "look" to it after a while that, I feel, makes one's quilt look dirty, or 'old', and not very interesting, no matter how it's washed. I've come to much prefer a print or even a solid color on the back of my quilts for that reason.

    Jan in VA
    Jan in VA is offline  
    Old 02-08-2011, 08:12 PM
      #4  
    Senior Member
     
    quiltstodo's Avatar
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Location: Greensboro, NC
    Posts: 572
    Default

    I use it on a lot of my quilts and I only do hand quilting. Never could master machine quilting
    quiltstodo is offline  
    Old 02-08-2011, 08:12 PM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Ohio
    Posts: 17,068
    Default

    I agree with Prism. Very easy to quilt through. Just make sure you get a good quality :)
    sueisallaboutquilts is offline  
    Old 02-08-2011, 08:15 PM
      #6  
    Senior Member
     
    The Creative Seamstress's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Posts: 364
    Default

    The vast majority of quilts I make do have either natural (unbleached) or bleached muslin as a backing fabric. I use it for quilts, wallhangings etc - you name it. It's a cost effect way to get your quilts completed (I buy it on large bolts) and it suits me just fine. On some occassions I will use quilting fabric for the back, but for me it's really far and few between. I do believe that there is probably a greater number of quilters who still engage in this practice than those that use "all quilting fabric" for the backing... but it just depends on your preference, overall design and ultimately budget. Some quilting fabrics are $9.99+ a yard and that's not always doable when you've already spent a small fortune on all the fabric for the quilt top. Sometimes - I'll even dye the muslin a specific color when needed and if practicable for my design. So I promise, there's nothing wrong with muslin! I like to get mine at Joann's when either it's on sale, or in between sales I'll use my coupons and it's great!

    Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
    - The Creative Seamstress
    The Creative Seamstress is offline  
    Old 02-08-2011, 08:15 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    sewwhat85's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: missouri
    Posts: 6,311
    Default

    i think it would work
    sewwhat85 is offline  
    Old 02-08-2011, 08:31 PM
      #8  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2008
    Location: Boone, Iowa
    Posts: 417
    Default

    I use muslin on the back of many of my hand quilted quilts. I buy a good quality muslin. My kids love the muslin, because it almost looks like a whole cloth quilt when it is completed. They love looking at the handquilting and it shows up well on muslin.
    quiltlady37 is offline  
    Old 02-08-2011, 10:24 PM
      #9  
    Senior Member
     
    Crabby Patty's Avatar
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Location: Missouri
    Posts: 695
    Default

    I use muslin on a lot of my quilts. To me it gives them that antique look and feel. Also I can get it in 108" & 112" width at the mennonite store near me. I get the best quality because I like the smooth soft feel of it and it looks nice on the backs of my quilts.
    Crabby Patty is offline  
    Old 02-09-2011, 03:33 AM
      #10  
    Junior Member
     
    JaKnits's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Michigan
    Posts: 105
    Default

    I remember making my first quilt 20+ years ago and buying fabric for the back. I wanted my quilt to be reversible and the woman at the quilt shop was shocked that I was "wasting good fabric" on the back when "you're supposed to use muslin".

    Now I rarely see muslin used for backings, and I am starting to be drawn back to that old look. I guess I just don't like to do what the mainstreamers are doing, lol.

    Any way, use what YOU like, just use good quality fabric, whether muslin or otherwise so your quilt will hold up.
    JaKnits is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    spindreams
    Main
    47
    01-28-2011 10:10 AM
    Twisted Quilter
    Main
    20
    06-07-2010 04:54 AM
    Skeat
    Main
    47
    01-10-2010 07:43 AM
    littlehud
    Main
    24
    08-15-2008 08:28 AM
    Country Quilter
    Main
    39
    12-19-2007 04:23 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter