702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts
Posted - May 30 2011 : 8:47:24 PM
I have tried about 3 different times to make a large work apron out of plain white muslin, but so far none of them have satisfied me! The muslin is too thin and flimsy to be much help when doing messy chores like doing the dishes or mopping floors, and I HATE that you can see my clothes through the fabric. Are there different thicknesses of fabric, like something heavier than muslin but not as heavy as canvas? The apron pattern I like is a long cobbler-style with wrap around back, so the fabric has to be reasonably fluid.
There are different weights of fabric and there is a difference in muslin as well. Pant weight fabrics are heavier than shirt weights but not all fabrics are marked this way so you have to feel them to tell. A pant weight is probably what you are looking for. Less expensive fabrics tend to be lighter weight as the thread count is less so look for a good grade of fabric. Kathy
I know with flannel it is measured in ounces. So the higher the ounce the plusher it is, but I think normally most fabrics are measured by thread count like Kathy mentioned. The more expensive muslins are going to most likely be the denser threadcounts.
There is also a "duck Muslin" fabric which is heavier and would be a good choice for your apron. It is hard to tell if they are not marked, you can tell by the feel of it. Don't forget, you could always double the muslin you have, it would then give you a little more substance and you would not be able to see through it.
Look for Osnaburg muslin. The stuff I bought is much thicker than regular muslin. And go to a good quilt store rather than JoAnn's or the like. The stuff they sell at JoAnn's is pretty poor quality and seemed exceptionally flimsy to me.
Don't forget there are different types of fabrics too. I always get back sprayed by my hose when watering the garden, so I found an old 'roll-up' window shade and made it into an apron, it keeps me dry, I have always wondered about using it as a lining for something.
--- Farmgirl #2951 Currently renting-farmgirl wannabe