There is another thread going called "Muslin" and everyone seems to say muslin isn't that great. I asked there what the downside to muslin is and haven't really seen the question answered. So... I thought I would ask in a seperate thread. I use muslin all the time. For those of you that do not, my question is WHY???

I love muslin. The quilts I love the best are scrappy and pulled together with muslin.

I use muslin all the time for my backing. Maybe it looks boring, but it gets the job done. Some of my eariler quilts that I used the cheaper muslin on have that old wrinkled look after washing, but I like that.

muslin is cotton. wash it to control shinkage. Nothing is wrong with muslin.

Muslin is great for some things. I usually prefer a more colorful back, but I have used muslin several times.

Muslin is great for quilting practice. I put a piece of batting between two pieces of cheap muslin and practice different quilting patterns.

Muslin comes in different qualities.

Some is a lot nicer than others.

The only down side I have with muslin is that is shrinks more than regular cotton, especially Kona muslin from Jo-anns. I just wash in hot water, dry and iron (press). I use it in quilt blocks.

I bought a whole bolt and washed it in hot water, pressed iit and folded it. I use it for backgrounds, backs, lattice, or whatever strikes my fancy. I've not ever had a problem with it. That's why I started this thread, because it seems there are so many people that frown on it. I just wanted to know why. Thanks for all your feedback.

The quality of muslin I have found around my area is not good. That is the only reason I don't use it. It is just too thin. If it was better quality I would definitely buy it.

I use it alot too. I just but the better muslim, some of it is prett see through, so I wouldnt want it for a quilt!

Thank You for starting this thread :thumbup:

I have never used muslin, and I guess it was because years ago it wasn't the thing to do and maybe the quality wasn't great :roll: I have no good reason not to have tried it , but now I do have good reasons to try it..... THANKS :thumbup:

thanks for starting this thread

I don't frown on it, I just haven't seen any nice muslin around my area.

I like it. Especially if I am a little short on a fabric for a project. Sometimes i can sub it in as lining or backing and it's great for practicing.

The muslin we can get here is more like cardboard - very stiff and not quilt friendly at all. I use Kona natural cotton for my muslin look. I get it from Hancocks of Paducah by the bolt, and it handles just like any of their other Kona cotton, but has the slightly slubby look of muslin.

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

Muslin is a "plain-woven cotton fabric made in various weights. The better qualities of muslin are fine and smooth in texture and are woven from evenly spun warps and wefts, or fillings. They are given a soft finish, bleached or piece-dyed, and are sometimes patterned in the loom or printed. The coarser varieties are often of irregular yarns and textures, bleached, unbleached, or piece-dyed and are generally finished by the application of sizing. Grades of muslin are known by such names as book, mull, swiss, and sheeting." Encyclopedia Britannica

When people say muslin I think of 'cheap' fabric where the quality is poor to match the price and it usually is unbleached cotton. It's a fabric I use when I am making a dress out of really expensive fabric so I first make it in muslin to test the pattern to make sure of any alterations I need to make before cutting into expensive fabric.
BUT is seems according to the Encyclopedia Britannica it could be any plain woven cotton fabric I guess that means most if not all of the 'cotton' fabric we use for quilting is considered muslin. Just that some are in better grades than others.

I think it's the same as what we call 'calico' here?? I use it heaps as backgrounds and backings for small quilts and wallhangings. It comes in varying shades of cream and I usually buy it by the bolt as I also do calico dolls.

Gotta love ya Patrice, gotta love ya!!! :lol: :lol:

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.

I like to use muslin. Especially nice if you want the look with your 30's fabric of a 30's style quilt. You do need to be sure your are buying good quality muslin. Using muslin on your back is a terrific way to have your quilting shown off, so quilt good!!!

I don't mind the good muslin. But I do not like the cheap stuff. It feels like cheesecloth to me, wrinkles too much, and shrinks too much. Mostly I just like pretty prints better. I plan to start using it more now that the fabric prices have gone up so much. It will help me stretch my stash a bit.

I love muslin; have used in 30s quilts and also in small (6"square) 9-patches.
Bleached or unbleached - I agree with the above - buy top quality - there's one called Quilter's Muslin that's good.

Would not use as my back unless someone else was doing the quilting - mine is definitely not good enough to show off.

I am using muslin for my cathedral windows.

I bought some mid range muslin and have really enjoyed it for backings. It is very soft and compliments my love of replicating antique quilts.

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

Beautiful quilt.......I use the Muslin that is permanent press, 100% cotton and 90" wide from Walmart. It is so soft when it is washed.....love that stuff! So much so that I have 2 bolts that I special ordered from Walmart. You can do that you know from the Walmarts that sell from the bolts. Just get in good with the fabric manager there.....lol.

I like to use minky or fleece for kids quilts. Those little stinkers like to put their little toesies through the fabric so I get something tough! For regular quilts I like to use a busy print to cover up my quilting mistakes! If you want to show off your quilting, use a plain muslin. I think it looks neat to look at the back of quilts that experienced quilters have made. I've seen some that are brave enough to use colored thread on a white muslin - looks gorgeous!

So, I think you should choose according to how the quilt will be used or quilted. In other words, it's your call.

Gail - don't apologize for that quilt - it's gorgeous!

It's beautiful!

"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

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!

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.