Muslin

[SmilieFace]

So, I've seen on several other threads people talk about "making a muslin." This is probably a silly question, but what exactly does that mean?

[MartySews2]

A muslin is a sample garment to check for fit. Often it is made of cheap muslin fabric; hence the term "muslin".
Marty

[DorothyL]

Except muslin isn't so cheap any more. Nor does it have the same qualities of many modern fabrics, so really, you are better off finding something cheap but similar to the fashion fabric you plan to use.
But the term comes from times when muslin was the cheap stuff people practiced on.
You can make all your alterations on the muslin then use that as a pattern.
You can test techniques or sizing with it but you don't finish seams, put in facing or anything like that. Sometimes you might just make a muslin of a portion of the garment you intend to make such as the yoke on a skirt or the bodice of a dress.
Dorothy

[Sewing Lady]

When I sew for clients, I use the lining as a muslin, just to check for fit.

[kaitlinnegan]

Not a silly question at all, especially with the double meaning of the word "muslin." I have made some practice garments out of muslin, but I have also used various other fabrics that suited my needs. For example, for a knit top, I made a muslin out of some weird polyester knit that I would not want to wear. It really helped! I have also gone the lining-as-muslin route, with a dress I made last year, and with my wedding dress (well, I did do two versions of the bodice out of muslin, but I suppose my lining was my 3rd muslin).

As an example, for the jacket I'm making I'm going to do all the basic pieces that make up the jacket, but not the lining or the bias strips. I think I'm going to use some cotton/poly broadcloth I have laying around - it doesn't have as much body as the corduroy, but I think it will be good enough since the corduroy is lightweight.

[bridesmom]

I have gone to the thrift store and purchased sheets for a couple of dollars and used those for my muslins. I can get a few things out of one double sheet, so it's really cheap and I don't feel bad about tossing it afterwards. Course, if it's a heavier fabric that I'll be using, I have to come up with something else that's kind of close, but the sheets sure do work good for dresses and blouses and even pants.

[SmilieFace]

Wow, that really helps; thanks! I probably should've made a muslin of the pattern I am working on. Too late now, as I am almost done with it. Good to know for the future!