How to Unwrinkle Muslin

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Muslin is an inexpensive woven cotton or cotton blend fabric that has a high heat tolerance. In crafts, muslin is commonly used for photo backdrops, but it can also be used for backing quilts, testing the fit of sewing patterns, and other textile projects. Muslin wrinkles easily, but two different methods will remove the wrinkles.

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Muslin

  • Steamer

  • Shower rod or clothesline

Video of the Day

Method 1: Steaming

Works best for: Large pieces of muslin, including backdrops

Video of the Day

Step 1

Hang the muslin over a shower rod or clothesline with the right-side facing out.

Tip

It can be difficult to identify the right side versus the wrong side of muslin since both sides look very similar. For a painted backdrop, the right side might be obvious because it is painted. But if you are unwrinkling muslin that you plan to use to test the fit of a sewing pattern, for instance, then identifying the right side is not as important.

Step 2

Set the steamer to the cotton setting and allow it to heat.

Warning

Use steamers with caution. Direct contact with a steamer can result in severe burns. Work slowly and carefully when you are using the steamer.

Tip

If you do not own a steamer, you can steam the muslin in the shower. Hang the muslin over the shower rod, turn on a hot shower and allow the muslin to steam for a few minutes to remove wrinkles.

Step 3

Hold the steamer about an inch away from the muslin. Working from top to bottom, slowly move the steamer back and forth until the entire piece is unwrinkled.

Advertisement

Warning

Do not steam muslin that has been painted; steam can cause the paint to crack and peel. If you need to steam painted muslin, steam on the side of the muslin that is not painted and use a lower heat setting.

Step 4

If desired, turn the muslin so that the wrong side is facing out and repeat Step 3 to steam the opposite side.

Method 2: Ironing

Works best for: Small pieces of muslin fabric

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Muslin

  • Iron

  • Ironing board

  • Wet towel or spray bottle (optional)

Step 1

Soak the muslin in water to dampen it.

Step 2

Place the muslin on an ironing board right-side-up. Set the iron on the cotton setting.

Step 3

Iron the muslin starting on one side of the selvage and slowing moving to the other side until the entire piece is unwrinkled.

Tip

If the muslin dries while you are ironing, use a wet towel or spray bottle to dampen it again.

Step 4

Repeat steps 1 to 3 as many times as necessary to unwrinkle the fabric.

Advertisement

references