Re: [BKARTS] Gauze... I'm stupid????

[Kathleen Garness <kmgfinearts@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Unbleached muslin is very sturdy - I sew *a lot* and have found it's  
one of the last cotton fibers to degrade. I made a folk-style  
unbleached muslin wedding dress with cream cotton lace for a  
girlfriend about 30 years ago and it's as good as new. There are also  
cross-stitch on muslin samplers from the 1700s in museums, still in  
fine shape (tho I've seen them more often in even-weave linen) so  
that seems to attest to its longevity. On the other hand, a quilt  
that I made (mostly decorative, seldom used or washed) is starting to  
really show its age, fraying and such, after 19 years, made from  
quilters' cotton, degrading most quickly in the solid white areas.  
Fine cotton broadcloth, even the long-staple kind, has also shattered  
on me over the span of 40 years. Linen, being a very strong, long- 
plant-fiber material, holds up very well, of course, as evidenced by  
old masters' paintings on them. : )

The next time I'm out at JoAnne's I think I'll pick up another yard  
of muslin and the suggested fine linen needlepoint canvas. : )  
Thanks, all!

Kathy G


On Dec 26, 2008, at 8:11 AM, Peter D. Verheyen wrote:

> I use unbleached cotton muslin for most books. Works great and  
> holds up well. Get it from Joann Fabrics.
>
> p.
>
>
>
> __________________________________
>
> Peter D. Verheyen
> Bookbinder & Conservator, PA - AIC
> <verheyen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> The Book Arts Web & Book_Arts-L Listserv
> <http://www.philobiblon.com>
> The Bonefolder: an e-journal for the bookbinder and book artist
> <http://www.philobiblon.com/bonefolder>
>
>                                                 
> ***********************************************
>                                                Annual Arnold  
> Grummer Press sale now online at
>         <http://www.philobiblon.com/suppliers.shtml#Press_Sale>
>                                     Please note that attachments to  
> listserv messages are not permitted,
>            and are automatically removed by the listserver.
>                                    For all your subscription  
> questions, go to the Book_Arts-L FAQ and Archive.
>         See <http://www.philobiblon.com> for full information.
>                                                 
> ***********************************************

‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to  
do nothing.’ - Edmund Burke

                                   
            ***********************************************
                                   
            Annual Arnold Grummer Press sale now online at
        <http://www.philobiblon.com/suppliers.shtml#Press_Sale>
                                   
 Please note that attachments to listserv messages are not permitted,
           and are automatically removed by the listserver.
                                   
For all your subscription questions, go to the Book_Arts-L FAQ and Archive.
        See <http://www.philobiblon.com> for full information.
                                   
            ***********************************************