Fabric comparison
Muslin cotton and modal fabric both show up a lot in baby clothing, but they get there in different ways. Muslin is a plain cotton woven loose and open, so the gaps in the weave do the work. Modal comes from wood pulp and is usually knit into a smooth, closer fabric with some stretch. Here is how they actually compare, fabric by fabric.
By Vanessa & Bob, Epic in Bali · Updated 11 August 2026
| muslin cotton | modal fabric | |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre & construction | 100% cotton woven in a loose, open weave. You can often see small gaps in the fabric if you hold it up to light. It creases easily, which is just how a loose weave behaves. | A semi-synthetic fibre made from wood pulp (often beech tree), usually knit rather than woven, into a smooth, closer fabric with some built-in stretch and drape. |
| Breathability | The open weave lets air pass straight through the fabric itself, which is what makes muslin feel airy against skin. | The knit is tighter, so less air moves through the structure. The fibre itself absorbs moisture well and pulls it away from the skin. |
| Weight & feel | Light and a little textured when new, and it gets noticeably softer with every wash. It wrinkles easily, which is normal for this weave, not a flaw. | Smooth and silky from the first wear, with more stretch and drape than a woven cotton. It resists wrinkling better than muslin does. |
| Hot-weather performance | The gaps in the weave let heat escape, which is why Epic uses two thin muslin layers instead of one thick one for warm climates. | Feels cool and smooth against skin and handles moisture well, but the tighter knit holds a bit more heat close to the body than an open weave does. |
| Softness & durability | Starts a little textured and softens with each wash, holding its shape over years of use even as the creases stay part of the look. | Soft right away and stays smooth wash after wash, though it can pill or stretch out of shape sooner than a sturdy woven cotton, depending on the blend. |
| Best for | Parents in hot or humid climates who want a fabric that layers well and keeps improving the more it's worn and washed. It's why we build Epic's pieces from double layers of muslin. | Parents who want a silky, stretchy feel straight out of the packet and don't mind a fabric that leans on its knit and fibre rather than an open weave for comfort. |
Choose muslin cotton if you want a fabric that breathes through its weave, stays light through hot days, and gets softer with every wash it goes through.
Choose modal fabric if you want a smooth, stretchy feel from the very first wear and you're not looking for the airiness that comes from an open weave.