Muslin Vs. Cotton, What’s The Difference?
Do you enjoy handcrafting with fabric, but hate how expensive cotton is? Do you wish there was a cheaper alternative but with the same great qualities? The answer is closer than you think.
There’s no doubt that cotton is one of the best fibers to ever happen to a man. You can’t miss this wardrobe staple in any household closet or drawers, particularly among children’s clothing, innerwear, and sanitary items for the bathroom and kitchen.
Cotton is loved for its high absorbency, plush softness, breathability, and natural appeal. But we do know that it doesn’t come cheap. Muslin, a cotton weave with similar, in some instances, even better characteristics, makes an excellent alternative to cotton fabric for craft and other purposes.
What is muslin? Muslin is loose plain weave cotton. Therefore, it bears the good qualities of cotton fabric but has its own distinct properties that make it better suited for specific applications.
By reading on, you will find out the best uses for muslin and cotton fabrics. We also outline the subtle difference between cotton and muslin, just to clear any confusion.
The differences between muslin and cotton fabric
Here’s a quick summary;
Cotton
Muslin
- Medium to tightly closed weave and fairly breathable
- The loose open design and extremely breathable
- Secure with varying densities from sheer to thick and heavy
- Very fine, delicate, and lightweight
- Medium to high thread count
- Meager thread count per inch
- Soft feel and flexible
- Soft to touch but a bit stiff when still new
- Expensive
- Cheap
- Dyed and printed
- Pure form and natural color
Muslin is a cotton weave. Other closed cotton weaves are ideal for making apparel, but muslin is the simplest open criss-cross weave.
Unlike the conventional cotton fabric known to have a tight weave, the muslin weave is understandable and very loose like a mesh.
The microholes are visible as it has fewer warp threads than a traditional cotton weave. Any flaws from the simple weaving can be seen clearly.
As a result of the dominant thread spacing, it is much more permeable but lacks strength compared to cotton. Another contributing factor to this delicate nature of muslin is a low thread count.
Cotton is more substantial and thicker with a thread count of anything from 400 and above. Muslin has a thread count of less than 180, making it very sheer. On the bright side, it is lightweight and dries rapidly.
Both muslin and cotton fabrics are soft and have a slight give when stretched. However, muslin is slightly stiffer than cotton due to the low thread count. However, its pliability improves significantly with subsequent washing.
Formerly, muslin was known for being organic, unbleached, and undyed. Cotton fabric usually is bleached, dyed, and even printed to be used for sewing fashion clothing.
Though the traditional muslin still exists, today, there is more variety. Muslin fabrics now have different textures and weights. Some are dyed, printed, and incorporate silk, viscose, or even synthetic yarn fibers within the weave.
Quality cotton fabrics are usually expensive and may even be blended with synthetics to lower their cost. On the contrary, muslin is a low-cost fabric. It is an inexpensive yet versatile alternative to cotton in many applications.
What is muslin used for
Wondering what you can do with muslin? Here are some of its best uses.
- Cutting patterns
Before cutting new patterns on actual fabric, you can make a muslin. This is a test sample using muslin fabric due to its being inexpensive. Muslin helps lower the production cost because typically, numerous prototypes are created before selecting the final best.
You will avoid making costly mistakes on premium fabrics that cost you a lot more. You also get the perfect fit when you start with a muslin test garment. For beginner designers, muslin offers the ideal platform for practicing hard to tackle angles or insets.
- Quilting and embroidery
If you enjoy hand quilting, muslin is excellent for the backing. The quality varies widely, so avoid the very thin muslin and go for something broader. Muslin also makes an excellent material for foundation piecing.
New to embroidery. No need to ruin good cotton fabric practicing. Muslin makes the right practice fabric. It also provides good backing for an allover hand embroidery design.
- Sewing light clothing
Muslin fabric is rarely used to make the final garments unless it’s of outstanding quality. High quality muslin can be used to sew comfy breathable under clothes for kids such as petticoats, lining for dresses and sleepwear such as pajama pants
- Baby accessories
Muslin is very soft and comfortable on baby skin. And because they won’t stay small for too long, you can use muslin as an affordable alternative for baby napkins, baby burp cloths, and diaper changing mats. Its softness and breathability make it preferential as a swaddling blanket for summer and tropical climates.
- Sanitary cloths
Washcloths, body scrub cloths, dish drying cloths, face wipes, handkerchief, makeup removers, and pretty much every type of clean cloth can be made out of muslin as it is absorbent, washable and reusable.
Did we mention that it can dust and shine shoes and other indoor surfaces such as glass mirrors, windows, lacquered furniture, and vanity tops? No need for polish. It leaves leather shoes glossy without leaving behind residual fibers.
- Interior furnishing
If you would like something organic, lightweight, breathable, and soft for your bedroom or living room, muslin fits the bill. It is used to make curtains, cushion covers, bedsheets, and pillowcases for a serene feel.
- Eco gift wrapping
What better way is there to present a handmade gift than in an eco-friendly wrapper. Muslin makes a tremendous organic wrapper or gift bag for any kind of gift, especially a handcrafted one.
- In medicine
Surgeons use muslin gauze to wrap around the arteries to prevent rupture. It is also used to cover open cuts, lesions or burns and make face masks for clinical use. The loose weave of the muslin makes it easy for the broken skin to breathe through the covering. You can create bandages at home out of organic muslin for small cuts and wounds instead of purchasing band-aids.
- In art, theatre, and filming
Photographers use muslin as a backdrop for their projects to eliminate distractions. This is because muslin does not reflect any light, hence it is perfect for video shooting and photography. Muslin takes dyes and paints very well and can be used for dye crafts and painting scenery backdrop in theatres.
- Sieving
Muslin is a fine sieve for homemade jams, homemade cheese, citrus fruits, tea leaves, you name it.
What is cotton used for
Cotton is the oldest fabric known to man and is mainly used to make durable, high-quality clothing domestically and commercially. It is excellent for inner and outerwear due to its strength, breathability, and soft skin-friendly texture.
Its tendency to be highly absorbent makes cotton the primary fabric for several bathroom and kitchen towels. It is also suitable for quality bed sheets. Basically, cotton is good for anything sturdier.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of muslin?
There are four different types of muslin namely;
- Gauze- the lightest muslin commonly used in hospitals as dressing and as a kitchen filter.
- Swiss- a sheer crisp muslin fabric identifiable by its ornamental raised dot pattern used for making light summer dresses and home drapery.
- Mull- the most exquisite quality muslin often blended with silk or viscose used for making clothes.
- Sheeting- the thickest muslin best for interior furnishing, upholstery and beddings, backdrops, quilting, pattern cutting and giving structure to gowns.
What is the origin of muslin?
Muslin dates back to prehistoric times. It is believed to have roots from Indian subcontinent, specifically Dhakeshwari Bangladesh. Other theories state it is from the south Indian port known as Musulipattam. Some theories point to Mosul in Iraq hence the name muslin.
How do you sew with muslin?
Sewing muslin is no different from sewing any other fabric. You only need to use a small needle to avoid leaving behind pronounced holes in the delicate fabric. A size 75/11 will work great, or 90/14. Muslin frays badly at the edges so a serged edge finish is necessary. It is also important to know that like pure cotton, muslin will shrink after washing. So if you are sewing something that will be worn and not just a sample, a prewash might help you get the right fit.
What is muslin terrible for?
Besides shrinking, very fine muslin is not strong and vulnerable to tear. It also wrinkles and frays badly.
Muslin is an excellent replacement for cotton in many ways. You still get all the qualities of cotton but at a fraction of the cost. It is versatile, breathable, easy to use, and easy to launder. You can paint it and also dye it. Once dirty, muslin can be thrown in the washer, cleaned, dried and reused. For craftsy projects such as sewing, embroidery and quilting, it is better to go with muslin and save those extra bucks. But for sturdier projects, cotton prevails as the choice of fabric.