Vintage sheets are super-popular right now! Moda even came out with a line called "Dream On" that is based on vintage sheet patterns.
I have a lot of sheets that I use in my quilting and have used solid white many times. The only problem I have had was one time the sheet fabric pilled. Now I make sure they are washed first.
Here is a blog about using vintage sheets:
http://vintagesheets.blogspot.com/