Brand new quilter = dumb questions! :)

Hi all, I am buying fabric for my first quilt, and I need alot of "white" fabric as the background to set off isolated colored prints. What do you use for white? Muslin? I went to Joann, and the colored prints fabric to use for quilting were obvious, but no solid white was near the quilting fabric. I guessed and bought a 1/4yd of some 100% cotton to try, but it looks almost see-thru and seems flimsy. It might have been broadcloth? I will most likely be hand-piecing and hand-quilting, what do you suggest?
Thanks so much!
Gina

I've read on this board that Kona makes a muslin that is very good. They say that JoAnn's sells it.

The muslin isn't by the calicos. Ask someone to point you in the right direction. There are white on whites that are nice in the reg. quilting area.

I know it's against the "rules" of strict quilters, but I love using white cotton sheets, good quality, not more than 200 thread count. I would NOT use sheets if you are going to hand quilt, because they are harder to quilt, but if you intend to machine quilt- go to a discount store like Ross or Marshalls or TJMaxx and see if you can find a white flat sheet. Lots of fabric for the $ too. (I almost always use sheets for quilt backs. Shhhh! Don't tell on me.)

hi ginakra
welcome . I wood use cotton the thread count is tighter woven.I hope this help you .
shirleyt

I use a white on white - as in there is a white print on white fabric. Found with the other quilting material. Just what I prefer.

No dumb question in quilting! I use the white found with the other quilting fabric...the white on white I guess. I like the different designs in them and I think with some designs it just gives it more texture!

I like bleached muslin or white on white. :D:D:D

Kona cotton is really nice fabric and Jo Ann's has it, I just bought some in white last week. I think it was $5.99 a yard and I used the 40% coupon for it. Look for it in with the designer fabrics. You'll be able to spot it, because all the Kona cottons (that I've seen) are solid colors, so just look for a bunch of solid colored fabrics.

I buy the Kona Cotton White, too, from JoAnnes!

I like tone on tone white on white the best. Muslin is good too, if it isn't paper thin.

All I buy are tone on tone white fabrics for my quilt blocks. They come in a variety of colors from white-cream. The designs are so much better than just solid white. The tone on tone really adds a great look to the finished block. I have also started using these fabrics when I machine embroider. They are nice thick fabrics, better quality than the "white" I used to buy for background fabrics. They hold their shape when used for embroidery quilt blocks. My LQS has a sale on these in January and I always stock up for future quilts. :lol:

One thing about me using white tone on tone is that is is 100% sure I'll have some part of the block made with the tone on tone fabric wrong side up. I like plain white so there is no wrong side. Buy all the white at one time you need for one quilt. It's not easy to match the same color white fabric. I like the Roc premium permanent press white muslin. I buy Kona muslin when I find it on sale. Moda sells a solid fabric line called Bella Solids. They are nice.

Hancock Fabrics and Hobby Lobby also sell the Kona cotton. When I need a good white, that's what I buy.

I use white on white, turn all pieces right side up in a stack before I start sewing. If I happen to sew wrong side to right side, I just rip and do it right.
With all the nice whites now I never use muslin, unless for the backing, very seldom though.

When I hand quilt I like to use the Kona white muslin. Sometimes the white on white can be a little harder to hand sew through.

I use the Kona from JoAnn's. Used a coupon a couple of years ago and bought a bolt, haven't used half of it yet, just handy to have around. Before that, I was always trying to match whites (just about impossible).

I like to use a white of off white with a touch of color in it for the background. It takes away the stark white look and gives a warmer feeling to the quilt.

Same here- I don't like hand quilting through the white on white either.

I especially like the sateen sheets with a pattern woven into it, they are so luxurious! My favorite one is white with a basketweave pattern. SHHhhh

Hi,I would try Kona Cotton, it has some weight but easy to quilt though

Been there, done that!!!! :lol: :lol:

I like working with a good quality solid. Whatever you do, stay away from the cheap muslin(ie: .99 per yard). Jo-Ann's has a muslin made from bamboo that has a wonderful feel to it!

Thanks so much everyone!!! :) I'm so happy to get all the suggestions. I won't call the police on using the sheets, lol. I used to run from the knitting police when I used acrylic yarn, I'm allergic to wool!

I never really thought about using the white on white, but there were only 3 bolts there at the time. I'll look at it again. Thanks so much for the brand name of the Kona, I'll take a look at that when I go tomorrow! I'm excited to check everything out. Hopefully, I'll be bringing something home this time, thanks to you all! :) I'll let you know how it goes.

I just purchased some Kona white on white muslin at Joanns this week for $2.79 a yard. I didn't realize it was muslin, nice weight to it, not see-through, good quality. It was in a section with the other muslins, not in with the rest of the quilting cotton. If you ask, I am sure an associate can show you where it is. I think you will like what you find. I have always liked Kona fabric.

I agree. I hand quilt alot and sometimes the white on white is harder to do. A good white bleached muslin is what I use most of the time.. Hobby Lobby has a nice selection here in Oklahoma.

Joan's will have several qualities of solid fabric. Kona which as been mentioned is one of the best. There are some others that are good as well. Just select a good weave. My suggestion after seeing many many quilts is that when using white, select one just a bit off of pure white. Some companies call it Winter White. It is not off white but just a teeny bit away from pure white. It is my opinion that this blends better with other colors. Bleached muslin for me is too white and the unbleached is too dark. In quilt shows I have seen many quilts of older patterns in which the pure white was used and they lacked character because of the starkness of the white. It is a white probably toward the cream rather than beige.

I use tone-on-tone, too, because I like the texture it creates while setting off the colors of the other fabrics at the same time. I, too, have accidentally used the wrong side. But then I heard the trick of putting the fabric on your lap. Especially if you are wearing something dark, the "right" side shows up very clearly. I stay away from muslin because after washing, it always looks different from the other fabric.

I would use Kona for sure,

I prefer Kona Cotton.....have used it in all colors but particularly for my whites and off-whites.

I like Kona whites, I dont use white on white because I am a hand quillter,white on white is not easy to hand quilt,If I quilt for someone,I charge more if they have used white on white. Jolo

Kona cottons are much superior to muslin to use in quilt tops. Check them out at Hobby Lobby, Joann's, & Hancocks. Here they are $5.99 a yard, but coupons will bring it down to affordable. I use Konas a lot. Like the quality, and their colors are vibrant.

Gina.

If you are needing the best white, use the kona, I fell in love with it a long time ago. I use it for quilting and for applique, you can't find better. Its a little more expensive, and if it to much, then go with the muslin. They have some bleach muslin, that is very good quality. I just bought some, just hold to light to see how flimsy it is before you buy. Its not that much a yard. And if all else fails, go to the while on white. You can either use the design or turn it over. You can get Muslin and Kona cotton at either Joanns or Hancock fabrics. Joanns you can use your coupons. Hope this is helpful to you.

Rita

Try to find bleached muslin.

I love Kona cotton and sales come throughout the year.

Kona Premium Bleached Muslin from Joann's Fabric is what I use for projects requiring white fabric.

I hate to say always, but I almost always used white on white (tonal). Recently, I used a coupon at JoAnn's and bought 9 or 10 yards of one particular (paisley) design that I love. It's great for all sorts of projects. I have one on my design wall right now and from across the room, it reads just white; upclose it's beautiful. (The rest is half square florals) I have another ready for a few more hours of applique that I'm using the same fabric as the final border. I love both. (The second is last year's free basket bom from Bunny Hill...cute!)

You can even combine different white on whites for a more scrappier look.

I like to use white on white, because it isn't so see through, and it seems richer in the block.

If it were me I would use a white on white cotton. I think you would be happy with that choice. Good luck. Jenelle