Peckish

I will second almost everything that Feline Fanatic said, except I DO know of a couple of longarmers who have struggled with certain batiks (thwock thwock thwock). Interestingly, one specific longarming acquaintance of mine refused to give up. She was very experienced but had awful tension issues with the batiks, and she could not get them resolved despite all of her skills. So she did a bunch of online research and experimented until she found a solution that worked - she sprayed silicone fabric spray on the quilt top.

sewbizgirl

I love using sheets for backs. Some are so soft to touch!

Use sheets...

bearisgray

It seems like the answers to this question also fall into the "It depends on what "exactly" you are using and doing for the results you are getting."

newbee3

I use sheets I usually buy older ones from thrift stores I LIKE THE all cotton ones the best

youngduncan

I often use sheets for backing a quilt. There are no seams to mess with, and there are certainly lots of color choices. The sheets hold up well with washing and drying, and I've never had any complaints from those who've received a quilt from me.

Occasionally there will be a need to use some sheets in the quilt top itself. It's always worked for me. Maybe I'm just not that particular, but I've never had any problems. Historically, quilts were made using what was available, from denims and corduroys to silks and velvets. Some of the most beautiful historical quilts often had fabrics that would not be "approved" by many quilt police.

I say: "Use what you've got and whatever makes you happy!"

ontheriver

Same here. Use them all the time.

Weezy Rider

I ran into a sheet that either had weird content or a huge thread count years ago. I'd bought it to do some curtains as it was the right color. Didn't matter what needle I put in the machine, they all popped and spit like I was sewing through steel wool. Take the sheet out, sew some regular garment fabric and no noise, no difficulty with the same needles. I think I bought it at a clearance outlet somewhere, so no telling where it was from originally. The packaging was intact, but didn't list any particulars like thread count or fabric composition. In retrospect, I'm wondering if it didn't have an early effort at fire retarding.

I've used sheets since and never have run across another one like that!

AVFD215

I am happy to hear that it was "The committee of them" who said no sheets. I never saw a reason for it, but have never used them.
Thanks for the info.

Jane Quilter

Hate to be odd man out here, but I have trouble needling thru batiks or sheets, and when I use either one, I just don't hand quilt them......off to the longarmer they go.

crafty pat

My DM hand quilted and always used sheets as her backing with no problem.