Quesion. Generally the designer says to use cutaway stabilizer, tearaway, or washaway according to the design but one designer in South Africa says to use muslin. Does she mean the cotton fabric we call muslin in Alabama or is there a link missing in interpretation? I had some heavy duty muslin and it worked fine but I am wondering. Thanks for your input.

Our Fabric stores here in Mpumalanga & Bernina Store ALSO refers to Muslin as Cheese cloth!

Calico is MUCH thicker as you cannot 'see' thru it - it is what we also use as a backing for our quilts etc! DEFINITELY not similar to cheesecloth!

This is interesting. I would have thought muslin was muslin everywhere. You learn something new everyday! I love this sight!!

muslin in SA is also known as cheesecoth - originally used to strain the curds to make cheese. Hand embroiderers always use it as backing to any embroidery - to stabilise the wrk and somewhere to "park" the beginning and end of embroidery thread! Happy embroidery Elizabeth

I have used a fine cotton cloth as a stabilizer when I do not need to remove it, say for something I will put in a frame, or even where it may be worn and it will be more comfortable for the cloth to be left intact. It works great for me.

Anita Goodesign used to put in the instructions to use muslin. They have changed recently to say use stabilizer too but I have very successfully done the designs with just the muslin.

Maybe they use muslin as stabilizer may be hard to come by in S. Africa. I say use what you have and what works for you.

1 comment

by tinfriend 03 Sep 2012

No we can find stabilizer without any problem here in South Africa as ALL Bernina + other Machine Brand stores keep it plus Habby stores!

Depending on where you live in the world, muslin is very different.
Here in NZ is is a gauzy fabric, often used as baby wraps, wipes, polishing cloths and the like. I think UK is similar. In the states I understand they call quilting fabric muslin, which to me would be more of a heavy cotton. I am not sure about other countries. I know if confused the heck out of me for ages.

jobaby looks as though you have some good answers. I am not that far from you. I'm near Gadsden. I was in Cullman, Al this AM I have an excellent Babylock dealer and repairman in cullman who will not charge you and arm and a leg if you have a babylock. I like going to Decatur, Al to shop at Hancocks. My daughter and her husband have a condo in Huntsville, he is at NASA there at the base and in Huntsville mon-thur. comes home on thur. nights for the weekend, my grandson is also with Nasa and lives in Athens, Al just outside of Huntsville. Maybe one of these days we can meet when I am up there./Lillian

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by jobaby 27 Aug 2012

Where near Gadsden? My husband is from Attalla but all of his family is deceased so we don't go there anymore. Be fun to get together.

by lbrow 28 Aug 2012

Just out of Attalla in a little place called Gallant. Ask your husband if he ever heard of camp Sumatanga, if he did I live within walking distance of the camp./Lillian

My muslin from Hobby Lobby and Joanns is thin cotton. I use 2 layers and a topping for quilt blocks. I found a beautiful piece of musin at Walmart. It is pre-packaged for a queen quilt. I would like to find a heavier muslin - I guess for Joann's would be the bottom-weight. Live Laugh Download Stitch!

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by jobaby 27 Aug 2012

Found a heavy weight muslin at Hobby Lobby. It was located in the section where they keep bolt batting and stuff like that. Thin muslin was in the fabric section.

I have heard of all kinds of things used for stabilizer; typing paper, coffee filters, I don't see how fabric could hurt, but I prefer tear away, so I don't accidently cut my work!

Jobaby, where in AL are you? I live in Dothan.

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by jobaby 27 Aug 2012

Huntsville. We have friends in Dothan and it is a delightful place.

don't know but if we could buy it cheep it would sure work ??hugs