meyert

I have never used muslin fabric before, but I see at Fabric.com this is cheaper than other fabric. Can this be used in a quilt as backing? Is there a difference between the bleached and unbleached? Can this be machine washed?

Dolphyngyrl

people use muslin for backs and piecing all the time, bleached will be white, unbleached will be natural like a cream/tan color. Washes up nicely if its a good muslin. I use premium legacy from joanns as it is silky to touch and washes up even softer, very nice muslin if you catch a good sale on the 90 inch or 108 inch. I have never purchased muslin from fabric.com so can't comment on theirs

selm

Read the bolt label carefully. I bought an inexpensive bolt and found (when I got it home) that the label said to hand wash it. Can you imagine? Luckily, I was using it as an undercover on some cushions I was covering so don't have to worry about washing it but I did learn my lesson about reading the labels always.

Quercus Rubra

I almost always use muslin on the back of my quilting items. I have a limited income and I will spend the money on the front fabrics and save a ton on the back. It's not really going to be "publicly" seen if it's on the bed or wall or on a table surface. And I can write the items info right on the muslin, leaving me me the ability to skip the separate label.

As for beached/ unbleached.... bleached is more white and unbleach is more natural look. Yes it can be washed just like any other fabric. Muslin is very versable too.....good for tea-dye ing, color dyeing, etc. My son like to use it to make drawing on with crayola crayons for his projects.

Hope that helps. Oh I tend to go with the cheaper version when I know that it's going to be on the back. Just like printed fabrics.... the better the thread count the higher the price.

Tricia

riutzelj

Use muslin all the time: makes a great neutral in piecing, good backing material, excellent background for fabric crayons or ink pens, comes 108". Fabric.com has nice fabric. Look for one with a higher thread count and it will be softer and more versatile for you. Comes "natural" and "bleached, which is almost a true white.

Geri B

Always use muslin on backs of everything.....save $$ for fronts! If it is a good quality muslin it will wash beautifully and be soft as marshmallow.....

Tartan

​Muslin comes in a wide variety of weight and thickness. Make sure to buy good quality one and the wrinkle resistant is nicer in my opinion.

redquilter

I use muslin from time to time on the backs. It's great. I've even made Monkey Wrench blocks using it to give an antique look.

ManiacQuilter2

Muslin have been used for backing for decades especially with hand quilt but if you are not very efficient at quilting on your DSM or LAQ, every single mistake you make will show up. I have always preferred to hide my errors by using fabric that have a lot of movement in the print.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

I'm with ManiacQuilter2. Muslin makes a beautiful quilt back... if the quilting is nice. My FMQ needs to be hidden in some kind of fabric that looks a bit like an atomic bomb went off. Muslin is used here only with straight line quilting until my skills improve.