Sponsors
Sponsors
Is it horrible stuff? (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 6/11/21 7:54 PM ET
I've tried buying bargain fabrics for muslins (and all I've been making are muslins, because I've been trying to do all the fitting by myself), but I end up with stuff whose grain I cannot straighten. I've tried cheap polycotton broadcloth. Maddening. Hell, I bought inexpensive one-inch gingham online in the hope I could use it for muslins (built-in horizontal and vertical balance lines, ya know), but it was perversely resistant to straight lines and right angles.
Does one need to buy expensive material in the hope getting grainlines that run true?
Most places don't say where their fabric is made. Is there not a chance that I could spend more money for my muslin material but get fabric that's just as ungovernable as the cheap stuff.
Does anyone use quilt backing for muslins? The only benefit I can see is that one gets a whole lot more fabric for the money. One of the drawbacks is that I cannot tell online how thin or stiff it is. Since it's cheap, can I expect it to be badly woven?
Does one need to buy expensive material in the hope getting grainlines that run true?
Most places don't say where their fabric is made. Is there not a chance that I could spend more money for my muslin material but get fabric that's just as ungovernable as the cheap stuff.
Does anyone use quilt backing for muslins? The only benefit I can see is that one gets a whole lot more fabric for the money. One of the drawbacks is that I cannot tell online how thin or stiff it is. Since it's cheap, can I expect it to be badly woven?
Posted on: 6/11/21 8:39 PM ET
You can use whatever you want for muslins. I once used polar fleece that I found on sale for making a muslin of a wool coat that I would be making out of an expensive Melton wool. I needed something that would replicate the thickness of the wool. Right now I have a white-on-white patterned quilting cotton I found on sale at Joanns. You are correct that a poor quality muslin fabric will not do you any favors for getting the fit right. You could try washing and then ironing your muslin fabric, then ripping a strip off of one end, and then checking if it's perpendicular with the selvedges.
Check Joanns for sales on very light colored quilting fabric. The problem with any printed fabric is the print may be offgrain and it will be distracting. I sometimes thread-trace the grain, but I admit this is a bit time consuming.
Alternatively, try looking for old sheets at a second-hand store.
Check Joanns for sales on very light colored quilting fabric. The problem with any printed fabric is the print may be offgrain and it will be distracting. I sometimes thread-trace the grain, but I admit this is a bit time consuming.
Alternatively, try looking for old sheets at a second-hand store.
Posted on: 6/11/21 9:03 PM ET
In reply to maladresse
Quote:
You are correct that a poor quality muslin fabric will not do you any favors for getting the fit right. You could try washing and then ironing your muslin fabric, then ripping a strip off of one end, and then checking if it's perpendicular with the selvedges.
You are correct that a poor quality muslin fabric will not do you any favors for getting the fit right. You could try washing and then ironing your muslin fabric, then ripping a strip off of one end, and then checking if it's perpendicular with the selvedges.
What GrimWeeper suggests works for me even with muslin scraps from a recycled sewing shop. So far I've been able to tame pieces that didn't even come with a selvedge.
And I make mostly muslins too. Plain blah vanilla 100% cotton muslin is great when I want to mark the thing to death with multi colored pencils or thin sharpies. It's the only way I can really see my HBLs. I write myself notes on it too.
It's a real treat when I work with fashion fabric.
------
Muslins are the sketches of sewing. I sketch a lot... and now I finish things, too.
Learn something new every day.
Learn something new every day.
Posted on: 6/12/21 6:19 AM ET
I use old sheets as well as quilting cotton, including batiks, for muslins. Some are “wearable muslins” even! And being a quilter, I have no problem cutting up those quilting cotton muslins and using them in quilts!
Posted on: 6/12/21 8:05 PM ET
In reply to maladresse
I've had the same problem with inexpensive muslin being off grain. Also, they seem to fray and lose all body very quickly with any handling (which happens when you spend quality time with your muslins). Recently, my sewing has been almost exclusively muslins while I learn fitting techniques. I finally bought a bolt of Kona cotton in a light color from Missouri Star Quilts. It has worked quite well for me. It has enough body but is not stiff.
Posted on: 6/12/21 9:26 PM ET
In reply to Deborah Anne
That's good to know. Thank you.
Posted on: 6/12/21 9:40 PM ET
In reply to GrimWeeper
I've done both the ripping and the cross-thread-pulling. The result on the cheap polycotton broadcloth was disheartening.
Posted on: 6/12/21 9:46 PM ET
In reply to maladresse
Unless it is horribly offgrain, like more than 10 or 15 degrees off, I just use it for anything that doesn't have to be close fitting. Draw a lengthwise grain parallel to the selvage; draw lines perpendicular to the selvage and call that the crossgrain.
Posted on: 6/12/21 9:48 PM ET
I'm glad I'm not the only one who spending most of her sewing time and material on muslins and fitting.
Thanks to 2nd vaccinations, as of June 21 my sister and I will be able to get close together (and no masks now). She's been making her own clothes since high school, and I'm going to get her to help me with fitting a whole bunch of muslins.
Thanks to 2nd vaccinations, as of June 21 my sister and I will be able to get close together (and no masks now). She's been making her own clothes since high school, and I'm going to get her to help me with fitting a whole bunch of muslins.
Posted on: 6/12/21 9:57 PM ET
Joann's has pretty inexpensive broadcloth. I buy white or pale yellow or pale lavender in 10 yard lengths for muslins. But sure, quilt backing is nice cotton for the most part and so wide!
------
------
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama
https://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com
Pfaff 1222E, Elna eXcellence 720, Brother Innovis PS500, Brother SE400, Brother 1034D, Sunbeam irons ;)
https://eyeletsintheseams.blogspot.com
Pfaff 1222E, Elna eXcellence 720, Brother Innovis PS500, Brother SE400, Brother 1034D, Sunbeam irons ;)
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns







