Short answer: yes, muslin shrinks — about 3–5% on the first wash, and very little ever again. On a 47-inch blanket that's roughly an inch and a half. On a dress, it's usually invisible.
The longer answer is more useful, because how you wash it decides whether you get that normal 3–5% or something worse.
Why does muslin shrink at all?
Muslin is cotton woven as an open, loose gauze. During weaving the yarn is held under tension — stretched slightly beyond its natural resting length. The first time the fabric meets warm water, the fibres relax and pull back to where they want to sit. That's shrinkage: not damage, just cotton settling.
It's also why muslin feels different after one wash — softer, slightly more crinkled, a little denser. The fabric is finding its real shape.
How much does muslin shrink after the first wash?
- Pre-washed muslin: 2–3%. Quality pieces are washed before they're sewn, so most of the movement has already happened. Our pieces are made this way.
- Un-pre-washed muslin: 5–7%. Common in raw fabric sold by the metre for sewing.
- After the first wash: under 1%. Muslin is essentially stable from then on.
Does muslin shrink in the dryer?
This is where people get into trouble. Heat is what pushes shrinkage past the normal range — a hot dryer can take a piece well beyond 5%, and unlike the first-wash settle, that shrinkage keeps compounding every hot cycle.
How to keep shrinkage to the minimum:
1. Wash cool. 30°C or cold. Hot water is the single biggest cause of excess shrinkage.
2. Skip the hot dryer. Tumble on low if you must; air drying is better and muslin dries fast anyway.
3. Don't wring it. Twisting wet cotton distorts the weave and makes it pull in unevenly.
4. Dry flat or on a hanger. Pegs and bunching create dents that read as uneven shrinkage.
Will it shrink if I buy the right size?
For clothing, buy your normal size — pre-washed muslin garments are cut with the settle already accounted for. For blankets, expect the finished piece to sit fractionally under its listed dimensions after the first wash; that's normal across every cotton blanket on the market.
Our muslin blankets for adults are cut generously for exactly this reason, and the muslin dresses are sized after washing, not before.
FAQ
Does muslin shrink more than regular cotton?
Slightly less, usually. The open weave has more room to relax than a tight cotton knit like jersey, which can shrink 5–8%.
Can I pre-shrink muslin myself?
Yes — if you're sewing with raw muslin, wash and dry it the way you'll launder the finished item before you cut. For ready-made pieces it's already done.
Does muslin shrink every time you wash it?
No. After the first wash it's stable, unless you introduce high heat.
My muslin shrank a lot — can I fix it?
Sometimes. Soak in cool water with a capful of hair conditioner for 30 minutes, then gently stretch the piece back while damp and dry flat. It won't fully reverse heat shrinkage, but it recovers some.
For the full routine, see our complete guide to washing muslin.