sheets for backing - yup, yup, yup. I make quilts for the high school grads from my small church. I've known these kids all their lives and seldom have a teen aged boy who I think will take care of his quilt. So I happily make them from fabrics I've collected on sale and back them with sheets. The love is still there, but if the quilt is lost the first week it's gifted - no pain! Well, a little, but I don't usually find out about it anyway.
Edited to say: I took over this joyful chore from a lady who made quilts for the grads for many years. She's over 100 years old now and unable to sew. My kids graduated in 1998 and 2000. Their quilts from her are still in use - both backed with sheets, made with big blocks, no batting (summer quilts), birthed instead of bound - the quilt police who take this lady in if you told! But ... much love went in them and the day the quilts are laid out for gifting it's a Big Deal - then and now.
Last edited by JanTx; 07-21-2012 at 09:26 PM.