Muslin

Peter - Muslin does come in many different weights. I've used some painted double layer thin muslin as a background. I painted diluted liquid RIT dye onto it and got good results. The real gems at the fabric store are on the discount/clearance tables. Sort through the piles there and you may be suprised by the cool fabrics you find. I've found large end pieces of fabric bolts for quite cheap. Try for natural fabrics as they tend to accept dye/paint more readily than synthetics. If you're in doubt about what kind of fabric it is, be sure to ask the salespeople. - PeterM

So I'm wondering if muslin comes in different weights.

Yes. I've seen some which is nearly transparent, and best suited only for the most basic draping--it wouldn't even stand up the most typical use of muslin, that being making fitting patterns.

Or is this light stuff suitable for background material?

That would depend on just how thin, what was underneath/behind it, and what you did with it. If you take some pretty thin muslin but paint it rather than dye it, it'll be opaque for most purposes. If you leave it unpainted, and use it in front of a brightly colored and/or multitoned surface, it's probably enough.

I'd be most concerned about durability for a real thin one, though.

Check around or ask a knowledgeable salesperson at the store. I bought some 120" wide muslin last week for $5.99/yard in white--not unbleached--roughly sheet-weight. They *had* lighter weight, narrower, and natural-toned stuff for both less and for more money. Or check the web; I found some mail-order places which sell muslins in various weights and fabrics. (I didn't buy any that way, though; the L.A. garment district isn't that far, and I do prefer feeling the stuff before buying it.)

I also reccomend going to a fabric outlet and look for some Polor- fleece, I use a big black piece of it and its the right weight, non-reflective, draps well and does not wrinkle much (unless your looking for wrinkles)

Peter. I have found a source for unbleached muslin. If you write or e-mail them, they will send free samples. I forget the e-mail address but you can search it. Their number is 864-878-4040. Name is Dodgens Variety, 1400 E. Preston McDaniel rd.,Pickens, SC 29671.Their prices are very reasonable(10ft x 21 ft= $21.00,9x21=$14.00,etc.). Whatever size you want. 50% cotton & 50% poly...they sell to Owen Originals and have been in business since 1976. Good luck, Rick

Peter, The e-mail address to Dodgens Variety is : DODGENSVAR@aol.com They have a web site but I can't remember it. They sent me samples that look really good. Pretty thick. I also bought some muslin locally that was very thick. I think I will try and paint it. Good luck, Rick

Thank you all for the great advice.

Peter,

Found this message late, but thought I'd add my two cents.

I dye my own backdrops and I use regular weight 108-120" 100% cotton muslin. Yes it seems thin, but unless you backlight it, you cannot see through it. Think of it this way; assuming that you have your light source somewhere in FRONT of the 'drop, you're going to be CASTING SHADOW BEHIND with the effectively opaque 'drop. Therefore, unless you set up with a brighter light source than your main behind the backdrop, it will effectively block out everything.

The attached picture features a piece of said muslin dyed mottled pink. WHat you cannot see is that there is a picture window directly behind the couch on which the girl is sitting, and it's midday. THe fact is, however, that my main was much brighter than the outside light, so the backlight was effectively extinguished. The same holds true for plain white . . . I have similar pictures with white muslin against my southern windows if yo wish to see . . .

If you decide to try dyeing, 2 things to keep in mind:

1. Unless you want to get into some very involved "pro" dye processes, you will not be able to dye synthetics or synthetic blends very deeply. Surface dyes like Rit are weak enough on natural fiber, and they simply do not hold to polyester.

2. Not only do you need cotton, you need UNTREATED cotton for dyeing. If the muslin says "permanent press" then it's been treated with a finish that will not take dye well. If you cannot find anything but permanent press, I can tell you how to remove the finish if you're committed to dyeing such a piece (it involves boiling the fabric in a dilute muriatic acid bath to remove the finish; NOT an indoor project unless you have a great exhaust hood).

Please feel free to contact me if you have furhter questions!

Jerry

You can also check out www.chicagocanvas.com