Muslin question
 

I am pretty new to quilting, is there a muslin that is a much tighter weave to be used for backing white on white when doing an applique (white) that covers a darker color? I bought some what I thought was very nice muslin both in white and natural and the dark color still shows through both the muslin and the white on white print. (I haven't sewn anything yet, just washed; ironed and checked it out) I have seen other ideas on here but didn't actually see an answer as to if there is a muslin that is so tight as to block the darker color under. Thank you all so much.

I am truly enjoying The Quilting Board! Antylu

Typically you use as many layers of muslin as necessary for the darker color to not show through. An easy way to do this is to fuse layers using Misty Fuse, which will not add stiffness or bulk. The way I would do it is to fuse a large square of muslin to another large square of muslin, then place over the dark color to see if it's going to be enough. When satisfied that there is no show-through, I would cut out my applique from the layered muslin.

Another option is to fuse muslin to a thin layer of batting. This can add a slightly trapunto effect to the applique.

I think many of the lighter colors will show through. Some muslins are better quality - Kaufman Kona Cotton for example. However, I have seen some quilts made with inexpensive cotton and they seemed to work fine. One trick is to not press to the light side.

The regular old standard muslin seems to have gone with the dinasaur. I have some older in natural and it is so nice and so soft and densely woven, but lately, looking for white, I have been so surprised to find that most that I have seen is more like cheesecloth than muslin. I looked first at two Walmarts and it was bad, so tried the local quilt shop and it was about the same.

the batting will help also keep the show through from happening- there are many different weights/weaves of muslins- i have backed quite a few black & white quilts with white- afraid the black would show through-it never has- unless you hold it up to light (which pretty much makes any top show through the back) prehaps put together a small practice sandwich- quilt it then check to see if it shows through- i believe there's a good chance it will not

The shop where I work just got in two bolts of fantastic muslin! It's very high quality...Moda muslin, both bleached and unbleached. Doesn't look like any muslin I've seen before. And, it's not too pricey, retails at $4.99/yd.
However, I'm not sure if it will help with your shadowing problem. Perhaps the white on white you are using is substandard. I never buy Walmart fabric anymore. It's just not good stuff and if I'm going to invest all that time in making a quilt, I would like it to last as long as possible.

You never mentioned batting ... are you not using any?
If you're using black batting ... it will probably show thru any light backing and would be best to choose a darker one.
If you're using white batting ... I would think it would mask the dark from the quilt top, and you should be able to use your light.

Are we talking about something you are going to make into a quilt using batting? I would think batting would take care of that problem. Also Moda has a lovely solid called Moda Bella - I don't use muslin at all. Moda Bella comes in scads of colors and is really lovely. Hancocks Paducah has a great price on it.

kona is really nice too, buy that at hobby lobby.

I bought some of the Moda Muslin and am using it in a quilt I am working on right now. It feels wonderful, so soft and silky. Plus, if I remember correctly, it came in 58-60" width.