I'm a beginner and I had read somewhere that it wasn't a good idea to use sheets. I didn't say why. But I had all these old sheets, worn but with good material around the outsides. So I started cutting out blocks for a simple couch throw and soon found out that the material was so soft that I couldn't cut a perfect square. Spray starch to the rescue. And lots of it. The stiffened squares went together well. I'm getting good at matching up my corners. Used poly batting and another sheet for the backing. Machine stiched in the ditch with invisable/white thread. And the surprise was that after it was washed, this quilt is the softest, most snuggly quilt I have. Just right for the couch in the den on a cool evening.