What is muslin?
 

And how is it different from quilting cotton?

A local shop had a sale day and one of the items on the wide back table was 108" premium white muslin. I need 2 yards of white as a background for our quilt guild BOM. At $6.95, I got a yard of it. It feels nice - not stiff, not scratchy or thin.

So... is there a difference between quilting cotton and muslin?

I bought a lot of it to make the Cathedral windows quilt - I would use it in any quilt.

Muslin is manufactured in various qualities. Some of it is so smooth and luxurious and tightly woven - some is very coarse and rough.

"Muslin, also mousseline or Malmal, is a cotton fabric of plain weave. It is made in a wide range of weights from delicate sheers to coarse sheeting. Wikipedia"

In addition to a certain weight and feel, I would also expect a muslin to have a non-glossy finish.

I love and buy muslin for backings, my favorite is Legacy Premium Muslin from Joann’s, it’s so soft and so silky makes for wonderful backings and allows quilting designs to show. I buy it in 118 in width, 60 in and 45 in widths.

I like muslin not only for backing but also as my background fabric. It washes up so nice and soft. You just have to watch the quality you buy. As other said it goes from very thin to very heavy. Also available in bleached white.

I’m with Tallchick I buy the legacy premium for backings as well and definitely have used it within my quilt. I too buy the 118” or the 120”.

I love muslin, but it does shrink so wash it first.

I'm glad you asked this question. I went to KQ some years ago, and they quoted 4 different prices for muslin. I bought the most expensive but came away just hoping it was the best one.

I think I am someone that needs a name to be looking for, so I am glad to hear about the Legacy. If I am at a LQS, are there muslins from major fabric manufacturers as well?

thanks,
charlotte