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Quote:

Originally Posted by raptureready

I read a post on here a few months back and they said that muslin in their country was more like what we'd call cheesecloth here. It may be just a matter of where people live as to whether or not they like muslin. I use it all the time --- especially if I want my quilt to look old or if I'm restoring a quilt.

"The word muslin may not always refer to the cotton fabric [described above]. In Britain, any gauzy cotton fabric may go by the name of muslin, while in the United States, muslin may be any firm, sturdy, inexpensive cloth. In nautical slang, a ship's sails are referred to as muslin." from WISEGEEK.COM

I use permanent press muslin from JoAnn's for all kinds of things. I like it for foundations for string blocks, backings, and use in blocks and sashings. I think it looks beautiful quilted. As long as you stick to higher quality muslin you will be ok.

Thank you for the compliments, it does make into a beautiful quilt. I just will not evr use cheap muslin for a backing again. I'll attach a photo of a Simon's Folly that I sold, there is a huge difference in the way it lays.

Hugs, Gail

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatriceJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by quilterguy27

... I started this thread, because it seems there are so many people that frown on it. I just wanted to know why. ...

because opinions are like elbows. most people have at least two. :lol:

ROFL, this is so true and so funny.

I like muslin for an old fashioned scrappy look. Used it for piecing and backing for my first quilts, now I try to coordinate my backings to the front. I like the perm. press muslin as it seems to stay clean longer than the 100% cotton.
May in Jersey

I have a whole bolt of muslin that I bought at an auction and have yet to use. Bt this thread has inspired me to perhaps try it soon. and Gail-r..your quilts are fabulous!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gail-r

The first embroideried quilt I made was Simon's Folly, and I thought I had to follow the book, so the book said to use either calico or muslin for the blocks. So, I thought that calico would take away from the embroidery so I bought 200 TC muslin for the blocks and cheaper wide muslin for the back. I will never do that again, the cheap muslin stretched as I was trying to quilt it, so I ended up taking the quilting out and re-washing the backing in very hot water and drying on the highest dryer temp. Then I re-did the quilting. As an end result, I now have some waving in the center block. This is the quilt that took me 3 years to figure out how to re-hoop and get everything lined up just perfect. Some time later I found out that in Aus. the terms used for cotton is calico or muslin. I'll attach a couple of pic's so you can see what I'm talking about.

Hugs, Gail

Oh, what a stunning quilt. I love the look of muslin. So, I guess the key is to buy quality muslin.

Gail, Your quilts are beautiful!!

It is funny about names of fabrics. My mom and Grandmother alway referred to florals or small printed cottons as Calicos. I always thought of muslin as that stiffer, cream with brown flecks cotton as muslin. And broadcloth was nice white, soft cotton used for everything. So, I'm not real sure what I've used for my backings and backgrounds , but it is cotton!! LOL

I just prefer to use something pretty and colorful on the backs of my quilt. I pretty much use the same quality fabrics on front and back. I don't really like solid fabrics and avoid using them most all of the time. If I need a "solid" I will use a "tone on tone" that reads solid but isn't. I guess it's just my preference.