Cotton or Muslin for a whole cloth quilt?
 

I want to try a whole cloth quilt on my long arm and I'm unsure what fabric is better to use - Kona/Bella cottons or Muslin. I plan on doing lots of tight quilting along with feathers, etc. Any suggestions?

Unless you can get really high quality muslin go with the cotton. I think it will handle the heavy quilting much better.

Reminder, muslin is a weave or finish. Cotton is a fiber content. The muslin is most likely cotton, too. Although it might be a poly/cotton blend.

muslin is cotton....and many fabulous whole cloth quilts have been made with muslin. many people still use muslin for quilt backs- it is a very versatile fabric that comes in many 'grades' you can get really good quality muslins or you can get really inexpensive-lesser quality muslins just like with most cotton fabrics.

there is also Muslin that is not 100 percent cotton. I made the mistake of buying a roll on line. No idea what I am going to do with it...I love 100 percent muslin, its so soft and wonderful for the backing of my bed quilts and you can get it in 108 width.

I would choose either the Kona or Bella, NOT any type of muslin for you quilt especially if you want it to last a long time. I have a few antique quilts and it is always the muslin that has turned with spots of browns that can not be removed. Good Luck !!

Buy the best you can afford, you'll be putting a lot of work into this quilt and you want it to be worth it in the end.
cindy

Look at Cotton Sateen. Many use Sateen for whole cloth quilts.

Maybe sew it up into crib sheets?

I use muslin for my quilt backings, but i tie my quilts. I dont have a problem with it and i bought it online recently. You can use muslin for different uses. However for quilting , it may make a difference. I dont do all the fancy stitching as i dont hve access to a machine or oenwho does. So the old fashioned quilts is the way to go for me. Im always on the hunt for muslin.