Using Muslin
 

I see a lot of quilts that use white fabric as the background. Solid white fabric is hard to find, what are the pros and cons of using muslin in a quilt? Fabric.com has Kona Premium Muslin Bleached White 44" wide for $4.98 a yard, would this be quilt quality fabric?
Thanks
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NormaBeth, they Do have bleached muslin that is white. It is usually a thinner weave than most regular quilting fabrics. I think my Joanns has different weights of muslin. Don't quote me on that. I DO know that Kona is a MUCH heftier weight. I used a Kona in an aqua in a quilt a few years ago. It was QUITE a bit heavier than the other fabrics in the quilt. I would think that the Kona muslin would be good. Kona has a wonderful hand!

Muslin can be used in quilts as long as it is good quality. Kaufman Kona is a good brand, and the Premium is especially nice. You might be shocked at how white the bleached white is, though. Snow is a softer off-white that is very nice. Be aware that fabrics labeled Kona are not necessarily Kaufman Kona. I always look for the Kaufman name in the fabric description.

I love using a "good" muslin, it is a good feel, soft, cotton when washed. I use the "snow" alot for applique and embroidery, for my background fabric. Either is a good choice.

I didn't know the Kaufman Kona was The kona cotton.

There is fabric that is sold simply as Kona. It is not the same as Kaufman Kona. Also, there is a fabric manufacturer called Kona Bay; this also is not the same as Kaufman Kona. For me, Kaufman is THE Kona fabric to buy! :thumbup:

If you want white you might get Kaufman Kona snow. It is not stark white but looks white. Kaufman Kona is a little heavier in weight and you might or might not like that to work with. The result is great. Most muslin will not have the quality and will be thin and wear through.

I love Kona snow for backgrounds in 1930's repro quilts. I use it all the time.

Kaufman Kona bleached white Muslin is fantastic to use in a quilt... I buy this by the bolt to have on hand when I need or want to use white fabric as a background in my quilts. It is one of the few fabrics that really does match from bolt to bolt in case you run out and need to purchase another piece.

I just checked fabric.com and the $4.98 Premium Kona Bleached Muslin is made by Kaufman so it is quality fabric.

I use muslin a lot. There are several companies that make a good muslin Kaufman Kona, Moda Bella, Roc Lon. I would suggest that you use one that has no less than 60 threads in a square inch. Roc Lon makes a muslin that is 70 threads per square inch that I prefer when I hand quilt. I can get more stitches per inch with that muslin. Unfortunately, the manufacturers don't put the thread count on the bolt but you can research on line. Kaufman Kona and Moda Bellas have a 60 threadcount. Joann fabrics carries Roc Lon, but it does NOT have a 70 thread count. I don't think it is even 60. I buy my Roc Lon on line.

I've used muslin as backing on a couple of quilts. As far as performance, functionality, and looks, it's wonderful. However my tastes have changed and I now prefer a bit of color in my backs, especially if I can use orphan blocks or excess fabric. When I make stack-n-whack or OBWs, I make sure to put some of the uncut fabric on the back of the quilt. Makes it fun for the quilt recipient to compare the original fabric to the finished blocks.

muslin has been used in quilts for generations! muslin is a wonderful fabric- washes up beautifully and gets softer & softer with use/laundering- there is (like with any fabric) different quality muslins-some are quite thins...others are as good (or better) than any other quilting fabric! i use the muslins from fabric.com all the time!

A good quality muslin makes good background fabric (I use Moda muslin or Southern Belle). But, you don't have to use a solid fabric as background! Any light colored print will work as well. I often use light shirting as backgrounds in Civil War reproduction quilts.

Just a note Kona is a registered trade mark of Robert Kaufman. If it says Kona only Robert Kaufman can use that name on fabric. Look closely at the label on the end of the bolt (not the secondary label that may be applied by the store for inventory purposes , or price changes) you will see Kona with the small R with the circle around it. That small R with the circle means its a registered trademark.

There are lots and lots of different manufactures and grades of muslin. I have used Kaufman Kona muslin and really liked it. It is one of my favorites for quilt backings when I want the quilting to show ( or should I say show-off) on the back.

I looked at Robert Kaufman site and there are many different colors, so, is all Robert Kaufman Kona muslin?
I love using their black Kona but never tried any of the other colors.

Hmmm. I wonder if the confusion then comes because of Kona Bay. Maybe people confuse Kona Bay muslin with Kona muslin made by Kaufman.

I use muslin all the time that I get from Joann's. It works fine. I do not prewash until the quilt is finished. I have a quilt that I made in 2000 that is on my bed from November through March every year, and the only thing that is showing its' age is the bindings. It has been washed at least once a month each winter for 12 years and looks amazing. Over the summer, I will replace the well-worn bindings.

I have used muslin in quilts to. Just buy a good muslin and always wash and dry it before you use it because muslin shrinks.

My sister made blocks of applique stars with muslin background before she died and I finished it. I used muslin for the backing. It worked perfect!

So what is the difference between muslin and cotton fabric? Muslin is cotton and woven and bleached, sometimes.

I bought Keepsake quilting's aged muslin I am going to hand embroidery snowmen, one of these days. I liked the quality and will buy it again

There is a permaprest muslin available. I like the stuff. I've made shirts out of it. Then there is this horrible "muslin" that's only good for doing trial sewing/fitting patterns. If you wash the stuff, you can't iron it.

I love the heavier muslin that comes in 90", 108" or 120". This way I don't have any seams in the lining. I get mine at JoAnns or the local quilt shop

i love muslin for softness on my quilts have used reg cotton fab or colored sheets like muslin the best though just me cannot speak for anyone else.

Thanks for the hint about looking for the trademark - great suggestion!

I buy a bolt of 108" muslin at a time (with a 40% off coupon). I use it for all my quilts. Have never had a bit of problem with it.

I'm telling my age here, but when I first got married 43 some years ago, my MIL quilted and used muslin for the backing..she would wash it in bleach to whitning it and also would use ritz dye to color it the color she wanted. Of course, back then they didn't have as many different muslins, LOL

Yes, I too, use RocLon muslin.......when washed it feels like marshmallow....so soft...........I use this, either white or natural on all my quilted things.........and when needing white or natural on front, there too!!!!

I just bought some premium muslin at Joanne's. It was $12.99 a yard--108 inches. Fells wonderful and with the 50% off coupon it became reasonable for the back of a quilt.

Thkx for the information ....

Muslin has a different thread count and shrinks more than the fabric we use for quilts. However, if you prewash it in hot water and dry in a hot dryer a couple of times, you can use it in a quilt. I buy the muslin that claims it won't wrinkle -much less ironing required - LOL.

I'm always learning from this Board! But where are these coupons from Joannes coming from? I visited Johanns before Christmas, filled out their card..and nothing..am I crazy or just a little goofy..maybe both!! Thanks

It takes awhile to get the coupons in the mail. Give it another few weeks and then fill out another one. There are flyers in the store but you really have to get there when they come out or *poof*. Then they sometimes put coupons ads in your bag when you buy something.

A good quality muslin is a joy to work with. Buy the best you can afford and you will be glad you did.

I use bleached muslin... pay a little extra for the beter quality

me too. that's the only thing i use for the backing on my quilts, all 200 of them. about. i get mine by the bolt at joanns with my 40 or 50% off coupon. i get the 108, or the ll8". the best quality i can find. it usually starts off at 13.99 a yrd, i do believe. if i remember correctly. I used to special order it, and specify 200 count muslin. but the last time i got it thru the mail, the quality wasn't as good. so i just go into joanne's and look, and feel it. some of it looks just like high quality bed sheets. a quilting teacher years ago suggested this. and so, i use my energy and creativity on the top.

Back in the days - my mother used what she called unbleached domestic - it looks like what we now call muslin. I buy it by the bolt. Don't wash before using it in my quilts. I use it for setting strips and in blocks. No problems.

Thanks eveyone for the lesson on muslin. This will help me a lot!

If you have a smart phone....download their app. Then I suggest you fill out the paper again as you can generally use your app coupon and your flyer coupon at the same time! I was forever losing my flyer or would have the expired one with me so I love the free JoAnns app on my phone! Just purchased some 108" muslin today with 40% coupon!