Muslin is made up of cotton. Since cotton is harvested and not created in a lab, this makes muslin fabric all natural. When the cotton matures, it undergoes multiple rounds of processing. When it is picked and separated from the plant, the cotton undergoes carding process. Carding helps in separating cotton fibers, detangles and cleans them to become long and web-like strands that are called silvers. After carding, combing happens. This is a secondary and more detailed stage in the cleaning and preparation of cotton. Combing is centered on shorter fibers that are not elongated during the process of carding. Once carding and combing is done, the silver strands go through added stretching to become tighter and longer yarns that wind into bobbins. These bobbins known as roving bobbins are used in creating distinct types of cotton fabrics.
Difference between muslin and cotton
Muslin cloth is a form of cotton fabric. This makes people think that there won’t be many differences between the two but this is not the case. Muslin is still extremely popular in the areas of Europe and the Middle East as it was in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Whereas cotton is known to everyone, muslin works great in warmer climates owing to its gauzy and light feel.
Cotton is a breathable fabric but it is not as breathable as muslin fabric. The breathability of muslin fabric makes it ideal for summers. Muslin fabric also comes in thicker and medium weight varieties but it is generally quite lightweight. Also, it is generally 100% all-natural cotton. It differs in texture like other cotton fabrics. Even though the fabric is offered in coarse variations, it’s most popular variation is its delicate and soft texture one. The texture works best for blankets and garments for infants. The little differences between muslin and cotton add to the general choice and appeal of muslin over other cotton crafted equivalents.
Uses of muslin fabric
Some traditional uses of muslin include the following:
Quilting: Muslin is a staple fabric for quilters. The fabric is used for things like quilting fabric backing or foundation piecing. Muslin a cost-efficient fabric for various quilting needs.
Backdrops: Muslin is extensively used as a backdrop. The fabric is a sturdy one and can be easily painted and manipulated to build backdrops for photography sessions or for theater applications.
Curtains: Muslin also works great for drapery. It is widely used as a theater fabrics and for making stage curtains. Muslin cloth works beautifully for outdoor and indoor home décor curtains.
Blankets: Muslin works great to keep you warm. The fabric is soft and supple and perfect for swaddling blankets for babies and also as couch throw-blankets.
The beauty and versatility of the fabric makes it easy to use for a range of applications and finished products. Here’s a look at the unique applications of muslin fabric:
Facial Cleansing Cloth: Muslin is a great fabric for facial cleansing. The natural cotton muslin cloth acts as a great exfoliant and leaves your face beautiful and bright.
Cheesecloth: Muslin is an inexpensive option for your kitchen for sifting. If you love baking or making cheese using flour that requires sifting, muslin works great as cheesecloth.
Gauze: Muslin is great for keeping machine washed, unbleached cloth for minor medical use. You can cover up your cuts and keep them clean with the help of muslin cloth.
The below are some skincare uses of muslin that makes it a great fabric:
It makes your skin extra clean and cared for: Muslin cloth gets into the nook and cranny of your face that you may generally miss from simply rinsing off the face wash with your hands. Utilize the cloth along with your daily face wash and massage in circular motions for a healthy looking skin.
It offers gentle daily exfoliation to your skin: When used in the day and night, Muslin cloth can keep the skin vibrant and glowing by removing the dead skin cells. The texture of the cloth acts as a good exfoliator and its super soft touch does not harm the skin so over exfoliating is not an issue.
It is great for sensitive skin: With people with super sensitive skin, muslin cloth will act as a great friend when it comes to exfoliation. Certain exfoliators and scrubs can aggravate skin that is delicate and sensitive. Here the muslin cloth acts as a great alternative. We all deserve a glowing and fresh skin and muslin with its great features ensures that you get all that.
It can be utilized with any product: The versatility of muslin fabric ensures that you can use it to remove all kinds of masks, exfoliators or other face product. Make sure to utilize a fresh cloth every other day and wash off the dirty ones. You can stock up muslin for your own use and it is a good sustainable option.
