Can you all tell me about Muslin? what do you use it for? etc. thanks JoAnn

I use muslim sometimes for the back of quilts. I always check the quality, the cheaper stuff can be like cheesecloth, (see through), so just check it out well before buying.

I prefer Kona solids. They are a tighter weave, and comes in a lot of colors. Natural would probably be closest to a muslin look.

You can buy it at Joanne's, Hancocks, and Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby usually has it on sale.

I was watching Eleanor Burns Egg Money Quilts video and she talked about using Kona Solids so that's where I learned about them.

Kona muslin (200 ct) is wonderful. The looser the thread count the more it will shrink.

I use muslin for backing and for making a whole cloth quilt or I made a scrap quilt putting muslin in between the colored squares. I hand quilt and I like the softness of the muslin. It is easy to quilt. I don't buy the cheapest because it is too thin.

Muslin is also used for foundation piecing. Better quality muslin has been traditionaly used in blocks such as grandmothers fan and sunbonnet sue as a base for applicae(sp). It is less expensive to use to test new block shapes to see if they are beyond your skill level. Are good for letting kids color their own blocks with crayons to make their small projects. there are as many uses as you have imagination.

An alternative to muslin is Ecology Cloth. Has the look and color of muslin but without the specks in the fabric.

I use muslin when machine Embroidering. In some of t he Anita Goodesigns he calls for muslin to be used as a base for quilt blocks or the tile scenes. I always have oddles of muslin on hand. Many more uses then what I have mentioned.

My local WalMart finally has a Heavyweight Muslin for $2.47 a yard. It is a tight weave and is not at all like the ones they normally have. I bought 5 yards to use for various projects.

Am I correct in that muslin is 100% cotton? If so would it be ok to dye it in the colors I want for solids. I am have a difficult time in finding 100% cotton in solids.

Muslin is 100 percent cotton , and so many different grade available . There are bleached ( white) and Unbleached ( natural) . and there is a PFD ( prepared for dyeing). RonLov is one of the major manufactures of muslin , and has as many as 6 -8 muslin grades in both bleached and unbleached. Each of the grades has a code on the end of the bolt. If this is a fabric you think best , keep the code in your purse , so you can buy the same one each time.
This is the link so you can see the types that are manufactured by this company. Almost every store has RonLoc muslin in one type or another, the key is knowing which you are really getting.
This companies PFD muslin is number 408 called Natures Way .

http://www.roc-lon.com/products/muslins.html

Yes, muslin is cotton & can be dyed but if you buy just regular muslin, you have to prepare it for dying to get out the chemicals. They sell some called muslin pfd (prepared for dying).

Thank you both Lori S and BKrenning, this will solve my problem.

Ecology cloth is wonderful!!!!! I use it when doing scrappy quilts and have also used it for a background fabric. Great stuff

I prefer the perm. press muslin. I don't like the feel of the the cheap thin stiff muslin. The wide backing print muslin is nice. A good quality muslin will be about $3 - $4 a yard and never below $2, unless on a good sale.

This Quilting board is the best. Always a wealth of information! thank you

It is great used with 1930's prints in block designs.

Whatever you use it for, don't go cheap! Get a good quilt shop quality muslin. Stay away from Wal-Mart. I hear it falls apart after awhile.

Here is a very interesting article about muslin:

http://www.quiltersreview.com/articl...t/010820_b.asp

I use muslin if I'm changing the size of blocks in a quilt - make the blocks to be sure my math was right before I start in on the good fabric. I make some of my jackets and I'll make one with muslin first to be sure it fits correctly. Backing for table runners and a lot of wall hangings. Usually buy Kona or a good quality muslin. It's just handy to have around.

i use it for the backs of quilts,the larger ones. i like to use matching fabrics for babies and kids.

i love tea dyed muslin!

i also like Kona muslin..expensive, so i never buy it without a coupon at Joanns.

i usually buy muslin by the bolt, 90 wide..with coupons. they have a 25% off plus a 40 percent this coming week...i will be buying another bolt.

i use the bleached muslin in piecing also..

Sometimes I use Kona solid color fabric. I do have to seam it but it makes such a wonderful feel to the backside of the quilt.

As a crazy quilter, I use muslin, sometimes linen...

yes, you can dye it, however, wash it first in hot water with synthropol to make sure it is shrunk and clean, then soak in soda ash water prior to dying!

I happened on a super sale on some really thin muslin. I love it for using with my selvage edge squares. Then they are not so heavy.

if it is thin it makes great backing for foundation piecing and string quilts!

I have read that during the medeival times and since muslin was a cheap fabric to use.The ladies would add ribbons and bows and other things to dress them up or even to dye them. That said, use the muslin to try out patterns if they are difficult and make all your mistakes on it. I just grab what I have on hand to use. That eclectic nature again.

I, too, love this Board!! I used to use muslin all the time but lately noticed how thin it is - I didn't realize there were so many different grades. I am going back to shop for muslin now I know the difference in grades! Thanks.

Marysewfun

I have a friend who is a seamstress, and she makes clothes for people, and almost always cuts the pattern out of muslin first to make sure the pattern will fit properly.

I prefer not to use muslin for quilt backings. The weave is usually looser than quilting fabric and I don't think it will wear as well. I also never use it when piecing a quilt top for the same reasons. A lot of time and money goes into making a quilt, by using a cheaper type of fabric you shorten the life of the quilt.

I use WalMart muslin all the time - none of it has ever fell apart. Guess the stores in my local use the better quality? In fact, WalMart at Newport, AR has a good stock of good (in my opinion) fabric.

I use it for backround applique blocks, for emb blocks, for peicing ect.

I love muslin, use the cheaper thin to make a muslin when making clothes. I use the heavy sturdy for making Raggedy Ann and Andys, use it to back things, have decorated it to make homespun looking curtains, used it for fondations and the list goes on. Use good grades for things that need it but even thin has its uses. Oh, and ask me about gingham, lol.

I use a lot of bleached muslin for quilt backs and in the quilt top if I need a small amount of white solid. I think it works great for backs.

I have used it to make "neck coolers" for soldiers and I used it to enclose the bottom of my grandson's ball pit.

I love to hand quilt on good quality muslin and you can see your stitches so nicely. Helps you concentrate on small even stitches :lol:

Oh, what an excellent idea! I'll have to try this next time. Love this board. So much wisdom...

Just a word of caution...I saw muslin in WalMart that was a polyester/cotton blend. Be sure to read the end of the bolt for 100% cotton. I like the extra wide (90" or 108") bleached muslin for quilt backs.

Muslin certainly has it's place in the history of quilting. I use it quite a bit for backings. The machine quilting shows up very nice on it.

i have used roc-lon over the years,nd never had a problem with it..
and other brands.(sew essentials is what i consider a cheap one,and don't use it anymore)

mostly the kona now..it costs around $5.00 yrd and is a 200 thread count..