Backing fabric
 

Has anyone tried using Damask or linen table cloths for backing? Does it work? I have many that are at least 40 years old, never use them anymore and was wondering if I could use them in quilting?

Interesting question.

Have you considered using them on the front instead for whole cloth quilts? Cindy Needham makes the most beautiful quilts using vintage linens.

I myself would use it unless it is 100% cotton.

I assume you meant that you would not use it unless 100% cotton, but why? I prefer not to use synthetic fabrics, but I wouldn't hesitate to use linen (made traditionally from flax) or damask (which can be made from many fibers, including silk or linen).

I used a table cloth for backing once and it worked just wonderfully. It was not an old one. I bought it cheap on sale and it had a border print on the long sides and it fit my quilt just right and I was very happy with the way it turned out.

If the ones you are talking about are like the ones my mother had they wrinkled like a son of a gun. They would make a pretty whole cloth quilt - but I would be concerned about after it was washed. Maybe use wool batting and have it dry cleaned? It wouldn't hurt to try, since you plan to use it as a backing, maybe the wrinkles would be a non-issue.

I would like linen as a backing, I think. It usually has a loose enough weave to be quilted easily.

I purchased some linen napkins that were on clearance at Williams Sonoma. After I washed them, they had the most wonderful drape and hand, soft and lovely. I went back and purchased a matching tablecloth that was also on clearance, and am planning to make a blouse out of it. I've purchased linen blouses before and have always been disappointed with how scratchy or stiff they are, even after washing. I hated linen until I met those napkins. :D

I wonder about wrinkling too. Why don't you wash one and see what it looks like out of the dryer?? I often use old sheets as backings and they work great---maybe think about them as an alternative. Your tablecloths would likely make great placemats or table runners---they would be an easy size to iron if needed.

If I wanted to use it I would. At least it will be useful again.

What a fantastic idea! So lovely!

Backing
 

Thanks so much to all of you who took the time to answer. Okay, out they come from the drawers. Now, I have to make more tops.

I think it is a great idea and a way to use something that has become useless so to speak. My SIL uses so many things that most people would throw out and has made some fantastic quilts.

Go green! Give those table linens a new purpose in life! I have some rescued linens that I have cut into squares but was hesitant to use. Very wonderful! Now they are going into my quilting pool - TODAY! Thanks for the encouragement on including natural fibers. Even if they wrinkle, it will only add to the charm and, when I washed them before cutting, they didn't wrinkle much. Darling little Pennsylvania Dutch design.
I am all about using cotton sheets for backing and sometimes, even cut up and added to the front when the color/design works for that.

I don't think damask would work as a quilting material. I think it is too loosely woven to start up.

They might turn out to be reversible!

Someone donated about 10 huge damask table cloths to our charity quilting group and they were wonderful.

Some of my backing fabric looks like the damask fabric, even feels and is heavier than normal backing fabric. I used one on my mother's logcabin quilt and the navy blue on my sofa quilt. It came out great. Still don't know if it was damask or a different sort of backing fabric.

Bet she meant she would NOT use it unless it is 100% cotton. :)

I haven't used one yet, but I just bought several from a friend with that in mind. I think I will use one to back a quilt top I'm piecing now.....Thanks for reminding me about them.:)

I think it would make a beautiful backing. I'd try it on one and see how you like it. I got this curtain material at a auction and it has this beautiful Japanese print on it. The fabric is vintage and it washes up very nice. I am going to us this fabric in a quilt. Sometimes thinking outside of the traditional way of doing something can end up being something quite special.

I have used a 4th of July tablecloth that was not being used and it was a thick fabric...just quilted around the blocks on the whole cloth and did a backing of similar fabric. It came out great. Used a larger needle for the quilting 90/14 and a 50 weight cotton thread

Once you have quilted a quilt with linen on the back, wrinkles become a non-issue. You have texture, which is what I like about quilts anyway. I have used 100% linen, and most recently a linen cotton blend. Of course, an older linen item has probably been washed many times - but I recommend that you wash and dry "new" fabric several times as shrinkage is definitely a factor.

Now I am sorry that I donated all of my linen and damask cloths to a thrift store.