Oh, lucky you! You’ve just stumbled across our selection of high quality muslin fabric! Quilters love this affordable option for quilt backing in a pinch, or practicing with muslin cotton fabric on their longarm machines. Cotton muslin fabric can aslo be used as backing for embroidery, or as a foundation for applique.
While there are many practical muslin fabric uses, quilter’s cotton is still the standard choice for quilt tops, coordinated backings, home décor sewing, and any project where color, print, and durability matter. Understanding the differences between muslin fabric and high-quality quilting fabric will help you make the right choice, no matter what project you are planning!
Fiber Content & Weave
Muslin is usually 100% cotton, but can be a looser, plain weave. Thread count is typically low, making it feel lightweight and
sometimes coarse. Quilter’s Cotton is always 100% cotton (if it’s high quality), with a tighter weave and higher thread count. Good quality quilter’s cotton will be smooth, crisp, and durable.
Fabric Finish
Muslin fabric is unfinished and unbleached (though bleached versions exist). It may feel rough, with little to no sizing or finishing chemicals added.
Quilter’s Cotton is professionally finished, often with a smooth surface and sometimes treated to resist shrinkage, fading, or fraying, making it ready to use in quilts without much prep.
Fabric Appearance
Muslin fabric for sewing is often off-white or a natural beige if unbleached; it can also have visible flecks in the weave. Muslin rarely comes in prints, though it may be dyed.
Quilter’s Cotton is available in a wide range of colors and printed patterns, designed specifically for quilting projects. Consistency in color and print is part of what you’re paying for, in addition to seemingly endless choices!
Durability
Muslin fabric wears out more quickly in quilts because of the looser weave. While it can work just fine for backings, foundations, or practicing your ¼” seams, it’s not ideal for a long-lasting quilt top.
Quilter’s Cotton is designed to last through years of use and washing. The tighter weave holds stitches well and resists distortion.
Cost
Muslin fabric is much cheaper than other types of fabric, so it is often used for practice sewing (particularly for garments), mock-ups (toiles), quilt backing, or testing patterns.
Quilter’s Cotton is more expensive due to higher-quality cotton, tighter weave, dyeing/printing process, and consistency in manufacturing.
At Missouri Star, we provide a selection of trusted muslin fabric brands. Our muslin fabric for sewing ranges from black muslin fabric to neutral colored muslin and unbleached muslin fabric. Shop our solid muslin fabric online or visit us in stores to buy the perfect shade of muslin fabric by the yard.
