greaterexp

I am making a large quilt for my grandson. My daughter asked if I would hand quilt it as I always have. I bought a "premium" muslin because the others I looked at seemed so terribly thin. I didn't think the weave would be a problem, but I'm breaking and bending needles and can hardly puncture the backing with my needles! I haven't completed much quilting so far. Would you tear it all out, basting included, and use another fabric? Or would you tough it out, even if the stitching is larger than usual and hard to do? Thanks for your advice.

Prism99

I'd replace the backing!

zozee

I'd change the backing.

Jan in VA

Absolutely change the backing! Life is too short to deal with this kind of headache for days/weeks on end.

soniboo

What Jan said. It's for your grandson & you should be able to enjoy stitching it for him, not fighting fabric & ruining needles.

Bree123

Hmmm... making me nervous. I have been planning to make the Benertex whole cloth design Anchors Aweigh for my nephew & it is stamped on quality muslin. It's my first major hand quilting project. Perhaps I need to rethink whether muslin is really the way to go.

ckcowl

I've never had that problem with muslin, except when it was heavy weight-- almost like a canvas. Maybe prewashing the backing would soften it up, make it easier? It would be worth a try. Maybe it's stiff due to the sizing added.

PaperPrincess

There are all different types of muslin. Some are almost like canvas. I wouldn't be too worried as the quality of the piece you have was selected for hand work.

NJ Quilter

I've worked through some tough fabrics but if it was that painful I'd probably rip it out and get something else as well.

ManiacQuilter2

I agree with Jan. Life is too short.