Schill93

I know it has been discussed many time about using sheets for your quilt backing. However, I don't recall ever seeing mentioned using sheets for cutting into sashing strips. Maybe I'm missing something, but for those of you who have ventured down this road, I'd like to hear your experience with it.

Barb in Louisiana

I have used the Sheeting fabric for both the backs and for piecing in the blocks. A lot of sheets are woven much tighter than some fabrics and the shrinkage could be different. That's the only problem I could think of.

Schill93

You pay almost as much for a solid color jelly roll as you do for a regular multi fabric jelly roll. I can buy some nice newer-ish sheets at my Goodwill on senior day for between $3.50 and $4.00 for King and queen size.

I have a Accuquilt Go machine, and recently purchased a pretty beige colored King size top sheet, and cut it into strips with my Accuquilt in no time. I didn't count them, but looks like I have enough for two or three quilts. I do not know what the thread count is, as the label only states that it is 100% cotton. But my quess from the feel of it, it is probably a higher thread count, so I not sure how great the difference in shrinking between fabrics would be.

As my sheet is pre-washed, and my pre-cut strips are not, I would most likely try this on a quilt for myself as opposed to a gifting quilt.

Iceblossom

I have used mixed whites, including sheets, in what I call "use" quilts. I wouldn't do it for a show or heirloom project but that's me. The weaves are generally different, tighter if you buy expensive sheets, looser if you don't! The threads as well, some are thicker with a looser weave and I would avoid those. While it all might look the same to start, they do age differently.

I always prewash anyway. Some sheets have huge deep selvedges you want to make sure you cut off (I do after washing, some people before but I like to know which way is which). And unstitch the top flap before washing, sometimes it is multiple layers deep and quite a lot of usable fabric. I find if you take out the seam before you wash you can see if the holes from the stitching will close or not.

aashley333

One of the first quilts that I made used flat sheets from Wal-mart. It is disintegrating, leaving just the batting peeking through. Maybe higher thread count may work, but I'll never waste my time and energy on bed sheets.

pbraun

The expense of quilting surprised me when I started about four years ago. So, I use the flat sheets as backings for family quilts. As my daughter noted the fitted sheets always wear out faster. the added love benefit is that one of the backing sheets I used on our son's flannel twin size quilt was from his sister's sheet set. I cannot wait until she sees what I make for future grand kids...besides t-shirt quilts.

juliasb

Years ago I used cotton sheets for both sashing and backings. I have gotten away from this practice. I guess as my stash grew I had more fabrics that were colorful or had a similar weave to choose from that I no longer felt the need to use sheets. In many instances I want the sashing to match the backing. Not always but many time I want to match the colors. The solids I use now are usually good quilting quality fabrics. I think it comes down to preference IMHO. The quilt in my Avatar is backed with a sheet.

SuziSew

I buy wide back short cuts for long borders and sashing. You can often pick them up on sale or clearance if there's a yard or less. One yard of backing is about the same as 2-2.5 yards of fabric.

maminstl

I've used nice cotton sheets as "fabric" quilts, clothing, whatever. I haunt the thrift shops and pay a few dollars for them. I am making items to be used until they're used up, so if the color and quality are what I want it's all good.

Schill93

Yes, I have started a collection of the nicer ones I can find. I have a few lovely Pottery Barn top sheets, and some other high end ones. I know people say you must use the lower thread count sheets due to difficulty when quilting them, but I can't take cheap sheets on my skin. The feel is just as important to me as the look, and since I will quilt them myself, I will have to deal with that myself.

Just unsure of shrinkage variable when mixed with other fabrics. But if it became an issue, I would just avoid using my pre-cuts and go to my yardage stash (which is sizable) and wash and dry it first to try and avoid any access shrinkage with the prints.

As far as how well they will wear, I just can't help think that sheets have to stand up to regular washings, which quilts usually aren't subjected to on such a regular bases. But this is all supposition on my part and that's why I asked the question.