What is muslin used for besides backing? Is it a substitute for batting?

I use JoAnn's muslin both the white and the unbleached. I find the best quality available and have bought it by the bolt. It's a good deal and I love the 90 wide for my mid sized quilts. I always use the 50% or 60% coupon for muslin in large quantities.

Another great use for muslin is that if you don't have the exact color or pattern in a piece that you want, you can die it to be exactly what you need. Many quilters do that first and then build their quilt around their exquisitely dyed muslin. You don't need to buy special muslin to dye, but do buy the special dyes as their color fastness and ease of use are so important. You can also use the pigment pens for small pieces.

Here in Australia what you call muslin is called calico. I love to use it but I process it by washing & bleaching it several times. We can buy it already processed and called quilters muslin but it's at least $25.00 a meter. Unbleached it's under $8.00. Actually the more you wash it the softer & whiter it gets and it wears well for years.

A friend gave me a large quantity of white muslin and I've used in a t-shirt quilt for granddaughter. Didn't pre wash (never do) and I really was wanting some wrinkling - but nothing. If it shrank - I couldn't tell it.

TanyaL is right on the money RE: muslin for dying.... i've been experimenting lately with dying small batches - and believe it or not - i've been using the T-shirt dyes and T-shirt dye kits from Walmart. We used those a couple of years ago to make T-shirts for all the kids in the family - and they are still just as bright as when they were made - and believe me - they've had LOTS of washings - and have been passed down as they older ones grew out of them. Needless to say - i buy it by the bolt too when i have my trusty JoAnn coupon !!!

muslin has been used in quilted projects for generations! of course it's ok to use...i know people who ALWAYS use muslin for quilt backs & backgrounds for appliqued blocks---muslin is a pretty basic staple in many sewing rooms.

I love the feel of muslin. It seems to soften each time you wash it and it looks good forever!!!! I'd say you got a good deal!

I use muslin quite often if I want an off white, just make sure it is all cotton!

Speaking of dying it - you can also use tea or coffee to dye it - to get an aged look and I have heard if you need a skin tone for applique or dolls, the color density depends on how much tea/coffee used and how long it is soaked. I have heard just be sure you dye enough the first time so you have enough for your whole project. I am thinking of trying it.

Marysewfun