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Member since 8/21/18
Posts: 448
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2 Replies
Posted on: 3/22/19 9:59 PM ET
Hi all,

Here in Canada I'm finding it challenging to find affordable muslin (yeah, sheets from thrift shops... But...). I've come across one place that does have a cotton muslin fabric for the equivalent of $2usd/yard. They also sell a 35% cotton - 65% poly blend broadcloth for around $1.50/yard (in various colors). Both are 4oz.

Given that I need to buy it by the bolt, is it reasonable to save a few bucks, or should I bite the bullet and go for the muslin? I'd like to use this to test patterns for pants, dress shirts, suit jackets, etc, recognizing it won't actually drape the same as the real fabric in all cases.
  
Member since 3/24/04
Posts: 26392
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Posted on: 3/22/19 10:09 PM ET
In reply to misterstitch
I use a lot of broadcloth for "muslins". It is usually a bit drapier than "real muslin", which tends to be a bit of an advantage for blouses, not so much when you're trying to imitate a nice shirting.

I've found that I'm often more critical (hypercritical?) on minor fit issues when I'm looking at a muslin (which is wretched with my skin tones) compared to a test garment in a color that is becoming to my skin tones. I'd also note that it's a lot easier to pick up fitting issues in a light to medium tone color than in dark colors. Particularly in photos.

Yeah, not much help. Short answer is a keep a bunch of second rate but on grain fabrics around for test garments, and look for a decent match in drape for what I'm intending the real garment to be made in. If you're going to be ordering some muslin anyhow, order some broadcloth, too, would be my suggestion, and see how it hangs.
  
Member since 3/18/09
Posts: 516
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Posted on: 3/22/19 11:50 PM ET
In reply to misterstitch
I keep and use both, depending on what I'm working on. The broadcloth would definitely work for test garments for the dress shirts easily, and would probably work well for the pants if you press it with best press or LIGHT spray starch to give it more "hand". For suit jackets I'd try to get something heavier weight than either the muslin or the broadcloth, as neither will hang correctly.
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Baby Lock Ellure Plus (BLR3), Brother 1034D Serger, Brother 2340CV Coverstitch, Singer Rocketeer 500J
"A woman is like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt

"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." Eleanor Roosevelt
  
Member since 10/30/06
Posts: 901
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Posted on: 3/23/19 6:37 PM ET
I use light colored poly/cotton broadcloth because I can't stand looking at myself in muslin.
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If you wait for the perfect time to start, you'll never start.
  
Member since 3/12/12
Posts: 104
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Posted on: 3/23/19 6:39 PM ET
I use the poly/cotton broadcloth because it's the cheapest option. Works fine for testing.
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Becky
  
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