Muslin is a soft and fine cotton fabric with a plain weave. It is sometimes
printed or dyed. The fabric comes in medium to lightweight. It is cool,
comfortable and very affordable. Muslin wears well. It has a simple and
clean look. It has low count, less than 160 threads per square inch.
Unfinished muslin is used in fashion design for making trial garments.Muslin fabric is also sometimes made out of silk or linen. Silk muslin has a beautiful crisp texture but it does not wears well. Linen muslin is absolutely much more historical. The weave of linen muslin was so fine that the Egyptian Pharaohs used it for wrapping mummies.
The word 'muslin' has been originated from 'Mosul,' a city in Iraq where the fabric was originated. Through the centuries, India and Bangladesh became the home of exotic muslin. The muslin was legendary. A 50-meter long muslin fabric could be squeezed and put into a matchbox. But today's muslin is a different fabric. Marco Polo once said that, "it is a cloth of silk and gold."
Characteristics of Muslin Fabric
- It is smooth and delicate.
- It is cool and comfortable.
- It wears well.
- It is medium to lightweight.
- It wrinkles.
The upholsterers put muslin as the primary fabric of chair and sofa. The fabric is lightweight, so it is used as slipcovers, bedspread, bedskirt, throw pillow, table skirt, etc. Muslin curtains and window shade suits a country house.
Muslin is also used as eveningwear, bridal wear, trimmings, backing for millinery and neckwear.
