Thread: Do you use sheets for backing?

Originally Posted by Noiseynana

I use sheets as well. I don't buy new sheets though. I go to savers and Goodwill and see what they have. So far i've not been disappointed. I've also found silk sheets there for $3.00 for Queen size. Yea.....

I have also found real nice flat sheets, they're not worn like fitted ones, at thrift stores for a couple dollars. Use them for wallhangings & lap quilts mostly, I can get more small quilts out of a good size sheet. Haven't had any problems with needles going through them. When my DD's were young I would buy kids print flat sheets on clearance where I worked, amazing how many things can be made from a twin size to decorate their rooms.

I will use sheets on some of my donation quilts...I have 3 nice ones that I rescued from my Aunt and Uncle's home before they were torn up for rags. They are King sized...and a very nice quality. My cousin is of the mind that if they don't have a bed that size anymore, they don't need the sheets...so he started tearing them up for rags for the car.

Originally Posted by HillCountryGal

I'm new to quilting, and have made several quilts. Each one had a different backing: used sheet; bleached muslin (pieced); fabric pieced together & 108" wide fabric (purchased on-line). I either machine quilted them or handquilted. They all turned out ok. No one complained/commented on what I used as backing. **Some people have told me to never use a sheet. But I couldn't get a good reason from them as to why not.

Have about decided quilting is a lot about expressing ourselves and enjoying the process. Whatever works for us, should be good enough.

It's because sheets tend to have a higher thread count than quilting fabric and it stresses the needles and the machine when quilting. Some people say they don't have a problem with the needles going through the layers, but others have. And even if the needle does pass through, sometimes it has to pass through the thread instead of past it. I had thought of using them before, but the man who services my sewing machine advised against it since it not only stresses the needle, but also the machine. That's the reason why I don't. I'd rather spend a bit more to buy fabric meant for quilting, than to mess up my machine. I don't use a LA, though, I quilt on my home machine, so perhaps there's a difference? I really don't know how it would affect a LA, though I've heard that most won't quilt on sheets, at least in my area.

Originally Posted by HillCountryGal

I'm new to quilting, and have made several quilts. Each one had a different backing: used sheet; bleached muslin (pieced); fabric pieced together & 108" wide fabric (purchased on-line). I either machine quilted them or handquilted. They all turned out ok. No one complained/commented on what I used as backing. **Some people have told me to never use a sheet. But I couldn't get a good reason from them as to why not.

Have about decided quilting is a lot about expressing ourselves and enjoying the process. Whatever works for us, should be good enough.

It's because sheets tend to have a higher thread count than quilting fabric and it stresses the needles and the machine when quilting. Some people say they don't have a problem with the needles going through the layers, but others have. And even if the needle does pass through, sometimes it has to pass through the thread instead of past it. I had thought of using them before, but the man who services my sewing machine advised against it since it not only stresses the needle, but also the machine. That's the reason why I don't. I'd rather spend a bit more to buy fabric meant for quilting, than to mess up my machine. I don't use a LA, though, I quilt on my home machine, so perhaps there's a difference? I really don't know how it would affect a LA, though I've heard that most won't quilt on sheets, at least in my area.

Hmm, apparently I submitted twice? Sorry!