PatternReview.com online sewing community
Online Sewing Class: More Knits
Register Today!
Join our community of 579,235 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,235 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
12 
Member since 7/18/09
Posts: 1312
Send Message
4 Replies
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 7/29/19 5:30 PM ET
Just curious - does anyone bother washing muslin before using it? As is, its hand approximates the fabric I plan to use for a dress so perhaps washing it will make it less useful in this case. Any thoughts? It's the $4.99/yd Joann's 'premium' muslin, 100% cotton, currently on sale 30% off but for some reason the clerk used a 40% off coupon. Yay!
  
Member since 11/28/13
Posts: 8897
Send Message
thumbsup 3 likes
Posted on: 7/29/19 5:33 PM ET
I've never washed it nor heard of anyone who washed cotton muslin for fitting. I do rinse it several times to remove the sizing if I'm going to use it as a pressing cloth.

It's nice that in this case the muslin approximates the hand of the fabric but it often doesn't. That's why even after having achieved a good fitting in muslin it's better to baste the garment in the real fabric to allow further fitting tweaks.
-- Edited on 7/29/19 at 5:36 PM --
  
Member since 8/10/08
Posts: 21
Send Message
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 7/29/19 6:21 PM ET
I do not prewash when using for fitting purposes.
  
Member since 1/19/17
Posts: 2285
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 3 likes
Posted on: 7/29/19 6:42 PM ET
I don't use muslin per se for test garments, just inexpensive fabric with similar properties to my fashion fabric. I prewash in case I end up with a wearable muslin, which is usually my plan.
------
Sewing keeps me sane.

My herd includes a Singer Sewhandy, Bernina Artista 180, vintage Bernina 830 Record, Pfaff 794 serger, Juki 634D, Babylock BLCS2, Singer Slant Needle 403 from my grandmother, a Husqvarna 6570, a Viking Quilt Designer SE and my latest bargain Janome MC 10000.
  
Member since 8/20/15
Posts: 746
Send Message
Posted on: 7/29/19 6:58 PM ET
In reply to rieski
I don't pre wash it.

Congrats on the coupon
  
Member since 2/9/04
Posts: 18027
Body Type:
Send Message
1 Replies
Posted on: 7/29/19 8:04 PM ET
In reply to rieski
Quote: rieski
Just curious - does anyone bother washing muslin before using it? As is, its hand approximates the fabric I plan to use for a dress so perhaps washing it will make it less useful in this case. Any thoughts? It's the $4.99/yd Joann's 'premium' muslin, 100% cotton, currently on sale 30% off but for some reason the clerk used a 40% off coupon. Yay!

I don't prewash muslin for test garments. I make sure I don't steam it while sewing up, either. Just use a dry iron and you'll be fine.
------
iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
Member since 11/28/13
Posts: 8897
Send Message
thumbsup 3 likes
Posted on: 7/29/19 8:15 PM ET
In reply to Doris W. in TN
If the regular construction process requires pressing with steam, I use steam. I also apply interfacing to collars, cuffs, and plackets because they won't look right without it. I also iron the muslin when needed because if there are too many wrinkles from handling it's hard to read the wrinkles that reveal the fitting problems.
  
Member since 7/18/09
Posts: 1312
Send Message
2 Replies
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 7/29/19 8:39 PM ET
Thanks, everyone. I have been sewing more knits the last few years and for those I typically shoot for a wearable muslin. Now I'm working on fitting a woven sheath and it may take more than one muslin so I think a classic muslin will be better.

My inclination was not to wash it but I wanted to hear what others do. The less steps the better, especially in this heat. Onward ho!
  
Member since 12/2/08
Posts: 5696
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 5 likes
Posted on: 7/30/19 0:52 AM ET
In reply to rieski
I machine wash and dry muslin fabric. Just like fashion fabric, I want to get the chemicals out and soften it as the fashion fabric will be. What's the point of having a crisp muslin if the fashion fabric is going to be washed/preshrunk/dried/softened first? I dunno, I guess it's personal preference, and I throw out muslins made of actual muslin fabric anyway, but I like it to be washed before I store it in my stash and use it.
------
Sewing keeps me from falling apart at the seams!
Bernina 1008, Brother SB4138, Brother 1034D, Janome Coverpro 900CPX
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8538/albums
  
Member since 3/24/04
Posts: 26392
Send Message
Posted on: 7/30/19 2:20 AM ET
In reply to rieski
Nope. I would not. Too much like work.
  
12 
* 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
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Elliott Berman Textiles
High-end Fashion Fabrics
Specials!
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!