on the back of a quilt?
And do any of you use old bedspreads or blankets in place of batting?
Just wondering, I never have with either but I was at Goodwill today in Lewiston and saw a lot of muslin and old blankets.

Ive used musllin. My quilts are still fairly new- less than a year old so I really cant comment on longevity of the muslin.. I just made sure I used a 'better' muslin..

My mother used muslin exclusively for her quilts. Held up very well.

I've used muslin on the back of almost all of my quilts. Some are over 20 years old now, and they're still being used.

Janet

I'm planning on using some flannel sheets but do intend to use muslin for some of my piecing.

I don't usually use muslin for the back of my quilts - I have used sheets, but the quilts are not old enough to tell if they will hold up

I have quilts from my Grandmother and Mother that are 50 years old and older, the muslin is holding up great.

Yes I believe it will hold up; my last long arm quilter used Muslin for my backing and it's been over (2) years from that, it's holding up pretty well.

Just don't by the very thin see-thru kind!

muslin has been backing quilts for almost 200 years- holds up just fine- just buy quality muslin.
and for utility quilts many people recycle any number of things for their quilts- flannel sheets- old blankets- ... quilters are quite famous for recycling :thumbup:

I have a quilt my aunt made me 9 years ago -- the binding is all but gone, but the muslin back still looks good.

This old quilt that I have is really nothing more than a backing and binding with some top and batting in VERY sparse places. However the backing which appears to be muslin and the binding which also appears to be muslin do not even have so much as a snag in them! There is no label on the quilt so I have no idea how old it actually is but I would say it has held up GREAT over time!

I think the maker used a thinner muslin for the backing and it is THIN, but not ripped up like the front is!

The muslin used on the quilt blocks my mom did for her hope chest that were started in the 1920s/30s held up for 60-70 years before wearing out and that quilt went through my washer and dryer many times in the 1970s and 80s and into the 90s. It was well used and loved and worn out.

Never had a problem with muslin for the backing

the batting is sparse because it was a "combed" cotton batt...very old indeed!

I have 4 quilts that my Grandmother made in the late 20's oe early 30's and all of them are backed with muslin. She raised 6 children and the quilts were used and laundered regularly. I would say that muslin will hold up

Thank you all for your replies, muslin will be used and it is much cheaper,
I called the store where I saw all of the old blankets and of course they are all gone but I'll be on the lookout.
I appreciate you all so much, thanks again

I have a 30+ year old quilt made of three sheets. Hand stitched washed in a machine sometimes daily (her dog was old and oopsed) and is still just fine.

muslin is the best.so soft and hold up really well.

I use muslin all the time, it holds up very well, although really I've only been quilting since 97'... I guess it would depend on the 'weight' of the muslin. I like a heavier weave ..

I was buying muslin at a Hancock Fabric store one day and they lady asked me what I was using it for. She said to be sure and wash it first as certain muslins shrink a lot. I went with the more expensive and haven't had a problem.

I've been quilting for over 30 years using muslin and sheets occasionally for the lining - both have lasted very well, no sign of wear.
I have also used both blankets and old fraying quilts as batts - they both work well.

I have used old blankets a lot of times for batting. I have even used new blankets because they are often cheaper than batting. Yard sales are a good place to find them.

Quilters in the old days used muslin for backing. My husband's grandmother made several quilts, the tops are now mostly faded and the appliques are falling apart, but the muslin background and backing are still in very good condition.

I am still fairly new at quilting, but I prefer muslin. just get a good quality. I love the feel of it.

I have a much used and loved 21 year old quilt with a muslin backing that has held up very well though 2 kids and many washings. I used good quality muslin however. Well worth the extra few dollars.

Muslin is pretty tough stuff -I"ve used blankets for quilts My family are campers- NO AIR MATTRESSES-so blankets add a lot of padding for our old bones and about 9 yrs ago my one brother who is 6ft 4 and weighs in at apprx 375 [this is his -tiny-wgt] I re-made his hammock I made him a scrappy plaid top with a blanket center and muslin back and he's still using it.The thing with muslin is it shrinks I wash and dry it a couple times before using it.

Muslin is fine. I get it at JoAnn's and it holds up very well on all that I've used. The top wears out before the back for me.

I made a QAYG quilt once with muslin backing. This was before QAYG became popular. I needed to have a project to work on as I was traveling with my OTR husband. That was back in 2000, and has been washed many, many times. The muslin is still holding up like new, but some of the front pieces are worn out.

I'm guessing if it is the better quality of muslin compared to the thin inexpensive kind that is also available, then it would be fine.

I keep reading on blogs, yahoo groups etc that lots of people love to use muslin, even on the fronts of quilts.

I haven't used sheets of old blankets for batting but do use inexpensive flannel as batt and of course the reg. warm and natural. I don't know why you couldn't use old blankets, especially for kids quilts, picnic quilts or to have in the car to keep kids toasty on cold nights in the car traveling etc.

I've been using muslin (high quality stuff) since I began quilting many years ago. It is holding up nicely and the quilt on my bed gets washed pretty often. I'd say if you're going to use muslin, just get the good stuff. Happy quilting.

Hi all,
I generally always use muslin for backing, but would not use flannel sheets or blankets for batting. First it is harder to quilt through if you are hand quilting, the quilt it heavier and most that I've seen, have a tendency to ball up and wrinkle heavily when washed and it shows. Muslin is easier to quilt when hand quilting. I have several that I made 20 years ago and though the cotton prints have faded and some of the stitching has wore out, the muslin is still like new.
Personal taste.

Muslin works great for quilting either back or front. Of course there are different qualities of muslin so look before you leap. I use the really lightweight stuff for lining my granddaughters' dresses I make.

I've used ugly or old blankets for batting. It works great, but they are really warm and heavy. :)

i have used muslin for backimg it wears good and feels nice

a good quality muslin will last a long time.

Muslin holds up just fine if it's good quality - like any other type of fabric, good quality always lasts longer.

As for using blankets ... I have a (European) friend who prefers duvets to quilts, so she pieces quilt tops and stitches in the ditch to muslin to complete the duver TOP, and them chooses backing fabric for borders and backing to complete the dovet cover. She inserts blankets into the duvet covers.

She says she saves a lot of storage space that way - duvet covers lay and store much flatter than quilts, and the blankets don't have to match anything since they're hidden by the cover.

I've used most anything for batting, flannel and felt even blankets all from the goodwill.

As long as it is good quality muslin. I am now leaning towards Kona snow for white, kona bone for a more muslin shade and kona ivory for a more aged look like to use with civil war reproduction fabrics. I used Moda muslin before but it seems to me it has changed over the years. I has more seed shells bits from the cotton and it appears thinner. the above mentioned kona do not have the little brown specks but if you buy Kona natural it is more like the muslin with little seed pieces in it.

I tore the wires out of two electric blankets and used them for middle layer of two quilts. They are warm and lovely. Try it!