muslin
 

Please tell me why I should not use muslin.

I can think of no reason not to. I bought a bolt of it and use it often I pre washed it because it was stiff but why not use it?

Should not use it for what? I use it all the time. Make sure its not too thin (low thread count) for the front. It will degenerate before the other higher quality fabrics over time. If you use it on the back as your only backing it might be too boring. What are you worried about?

Who says not to use muslin? I especially love it for baby/kids quilts because muslin is very breathable & certain muslin fabrics are quite soft once laundered -- and get softer with every wash. I am working on a really lovely quilt (Calico Garden) with Aged Muslin in Beige by Marcus Fabrics for the background. Kona muslins are the same 140 thread count as their standard Kona cotton (and, if you love "painting", their PFD muslin takes ink really well!). I've also bought lovely dyed muslin from James Thompson & Co and Moda. If you look for the same qualities in muslin that you do in quilter's cotton, there's no reason why you can't use it exactly the same way.

It needles really well & gives a lovely traditional/vintage look to my quilts. I have never had any issues working with quality muslin. It comes in very few colors but the nice thing is that I can usually buy it at my LQS in 90 or 108"W. I've also read that it's best to steam muslin rather than press it because you can get permanent shiny spots on your muslin from pressing. I've not had that happen personally except when working with muslin that I've inked with fabric medium and tried pressing through a pressing cloth when my steamer broke (and that could've been due to the fabric medium -- idk). I've ironed/pressed all my other muslin fabric with no issue.

The two brands of "quality" muslin I avoid are Colonial & American Made. Colonial seems to fray more than the alternatives. The weave on American Made is a lot looser than Kona muslin making it more prone to bearding (I use W&P, which doesn't have a scrim -- so if I'm not careful, it beards quite easily). If you're going to use American Made muslin, I'd recommend quilting with either a 40wt or a 28wt thread and either an 80/12 or 90/14 Quilting Needle so that the spaces between the weave are filled in enough to prevent bearding -- & strongly consider either a bonded batting or one with a scrim.

In addition, there are 2 types of muslin that I would caution you against using. The first is actual vintage muslin (like what you find on eBay or at an estate sale). Vintage muslin typically was a much looser weave. The fibers used in the weaving were also much coarser than those in vintage quilter's cotton (or in very rare cases, high quality muslin was much, much finer & more fragile than quilter's cotton). It produces a quilt with a rougher feel & that is more prone to fraying and caught threads during the quilting and laundering processes. The second problem muslin is dressmakers muslin that you find at sewing stores like Vogue Fabrics, Mood Fabrics or big box stores like JAF, HL or some of the muslin at Hancock's. They are great for making dress forms & I've even used the thinner ones for backing damaged vintage fabrics (fused with Pellon 805) before I could use them in a quilt, back when I took commissioned work. But they really don't make for very soft or sturdy fabric either on the quilt top or the backing of a bed quilt. The cheapy muslins at JAF are still great for backing a wall quilt where roughness doesn't matter & they aren't laundered nearly as often.

But with a little bit of care & common sense, I think you will find that muslin fabrics may soon become you absolute favorite fabrics to work with. :)

You can use anything you like.....anyone who says you can't, is a snob. :thumbdown:
@Bree.......great answer! :thumbup: bet you aced all your exams!!:thumbup::)

I use muslin all the time. I got a bolt of the permapress stuff just for the pillowcases I make for the children's pillowcases. Add fabrics leftover from the quilt for the cuff and accent strip and add their name to the cuff. Have also used good quality muslin in my quilts if that's what I need. There are some very thin muslin out there you have to be careful to watch for as it seems to be almost see thru, shreds terribly too.

No reason not to in my opinion. Fabric.com has their Kona muslin 118 inches wide for around $6 a yard if you buy three yards. https://www.fabric.com/buy/es-172/ko...bleached-white

Thought you might want to check out Fabric.com for their Kona muslin. $6 a yard or so if you buy three yards. https://www.fabric.com/buy/es-172/ko...bleached-white

No reason I can think of. I use muslin for all kinds of projects. And quilt for many customers who always back their quilts with muslin. You don't mention how you plan to use it, or why you thought you shouldn't....
one thing to know though....there are Many different grades, weights and weaves of muslin. Not all are suited for all uses.

I made this quilt. The white is bleached muslin from JoAnn's. It's been appraised by a certified quilt appraiser at $1500. Why shouldn't you use muslin? No reason I can think of!

(It's an Ann Orr design from the 1930s called "Postage Stamp Rose". It's 6205, 1 - inch squares, hand quilted 1/4 - inch inside each square.)

Bree123, I'm saving your response. It looks like you covered it all. Thank you!

There are muslin lovers and muslin haters. I like muslin for the traditional value alone. But there are some really cheap muslins out there that aren't worth purchasing. As long as you are careful and purchase quality muslin, you shouldn't have a problem. Although I have heard not to ever use it for binding. It just doesn't last very well. Haven't tried it.

I love premium legacy muslin from Joanns washes up nice. I use it all the time for my embroidery that I put into a quilt

I have a quilt that is 18 years old bound in muslin and it is just fine. The piecing has held up well and is just starting to have small holes and it has been washed a ton. used in college and now my baby uses it on her bed so quality muslin is just fine. I think as long as you don't use cheap stuff

You shouldn't use muslin because it has a very open weave and I unstable stretch. It is used to wrap cheese in or to drip curds and whey. I cotton for quilting requires a closer weave and mor stability. Think about a sheet should feel similiar to that.

Totally agree!! If I was ever to buy a bolt of any fabric it would be Kona premium muslin! It is the background of 90% of my quilts and the backing for 99%! I use Quilters Dream Orient in all my quilts and the combination is wonderful!

The 118" is just under $9.00 / yd and does Fabric.com always have the special at 3 or more yds for $3.14/yd for that size!!??? Phenomenal!!

Wait, the $6 price is a tag sale price.

I think you are thinking of cheese cloth. A very different thing.

No Kitsie - that is not the usual for Fabric.com .. they are having a yardage sale. I think it ends today or tomorrow... I have been fighting the urge to buy so much fabric because of this sale.

Thanks Myert. Still their regular price is equal to the cheapest I've found, but thanks for letting me know!

i use it all the time. I also bought a whole bolt of it and use it all the time.
i bought a good quality too and i love it. use it!

My LQS orders this for me and I've used almost 3 bolts. I find it wonderful to use as the backs of quilts I've made for my family members in honor of our Mother. She loved to back her quilts with muslin. But, everyone is correct, you must be picky. Here's what I use and highly recommend:

Roc-Lon -item # 5129 - 200 count -90" wide, 100% cotton muslin - unbleached

Be sure it is the exact # 5129 - other numbers in that brand are quite different.

Then, I use the leftovers to hand embroider/redwork.

My question exactly. I myself prefer a busy print on the back of my quilts to hide the start and stopping of my machine quilting.

All I can say is beyond WOW and stunning and the number darn near made me faint. Gorgeous quilt!!

Not sure what you mean by tag sale, but if you buy 3 yards of the 118 inch Kona muslin, it is around $6 a yard. People are always postings about how they are looking for the 118 inch wide for backing.

I'm wondering if Muslin is a different fabric in the UK. What you are describing is called cheese cloth in the states. Quality muslin is quite closely woven.

I don't know why you can't use muslin, I use it all the time, I also use sheets for backings.

For what? I wouldn't use it for a wedding gown..... just sayin'. :thumbup:

I use muslin all the time no reason i know of not to use it my favorite is roc -lon

Thank you for the response. I am going to use a good supply of muslin from now on.

Thank you tessagin.

The reason i stopped using muslin years ago for backing or backgrounds in my quilts because I felt it began to look dulled/grayed/dirty after a few washings. It just didn't feel as pretty as i wanted any more.

Now I am back to bleached or white muslin in limited cases, but I look for a high thread count and make sure it washes well.

Jan in VA

jjs56, That is one spectacular quilt! I realize that is a side comment to the question in the thread. I have never seen a quilt quite like that, but, it is just beautiful. It is very traditional and contemporary all at the same time. But the muslin question. There are lots of different qualities of muslin available for purchase and each has specific uses. Good quality muslin (high thread count) are perfect for using in quilts and for backing. Lesser quality muslin has lots of uses in the sewing areas. I keep a variety of qualities of muslin in my sewing room and use them as needed.

jjs56, quotation #10, I too, am speechless at the number of squares, all hand quilted. It's gorgeous.
Regarding Muslim, I love Robert Kaufman muskim, myself. It drapes beautifully and has a nice hand. Good luck!

Wow, JJS! A magnificent quilt!

I can buy Moda muslin for $5:00 at my LQS . Better than any thing Joann sells, great thread count. Diane C.

All I can say is Hog Wash. Those of you that know Ricky Timm's. He hand dyes his fabrics and the fabric he uses is a special muslin. He told us the brand, but I forgot. His hand dyed fabric is wonderful.

I also use it to practice quilting patterns. Designs show up wonderfully if you use almost any color thread.

Thanks Peggi, for the morning chuckle.