I get mine from fabric.com or hancocks_paduccah.com. They have good selections. I have been told that one should never use a sheet, as a high thread count means you will be going through the weaving threads, weakening the resulting quilt. I do, however use flannel sheets on baby or child quilts.

I also buy the backing fabrics to cut and use as backgrounds. They are often cheaper per yard and quite versatile, especially the tone on tone ones. Using plain muslin extrawides works well and is inexpensive, but shows off any problems with your quilting.

I much prefer to work with unpieced backs. I do all my work on my home machine most of the time and I prefer not to have anything that feels like a crease coming through from the back.

I do use sheets a lot. We used to have a Westpoint Stevens outlet here where I could get a king size, Ralph Lauren sheet for $5. Now they have left so I have been scouring the thrift stores. Sometimes I am lucky there and sometimes I end up getting a new one.

I can't find a "good quality" king sized flat sheet ( not in a set) for the life of me, anywhere lol

And I just learned if I want to experiment with the sheet backing, at least use a lower thread count..Tanks lol

http://stores.ebay.com/QUILT-UNIQUE-FABRICS-AND-GIFTS

She's got several purples in marble, solid and tone on tone.[/quote]

I check out this store and the fabric looks really nice and there is a really good selection with good price. I saw some there that I already have and so I know that it must be good material.

I also dislike seams on the backs of my quilts. I really like www.fabric.com (fast & low shipping costs & good selection) & www.denverfabrics.com, but I have found a few "to-die-for" prints in the 108" width at JoAnn's (stores & online). Thanks for mentioning some other websites to check out. We've only got a couple of stores in town besides Walmart & their selection is terrible. I've tried sheets before (not a high thread count)& don't like them for hand quilting unless they're washed a couple of times to remove the sizing & it's the perfect color/print.

Have you tried some of the discount houses or hotel suppliers? A friend swears by "Goodwill" stores for sheet sets & sometimes flats. Flats ARE getting harder & harder to find & King sets are SO expensive! I resorted to buying a set for son & daughter-in-law; used the flat sheet for the quilt back, gave them the bottom sheets & pillowcases to match. They didn't mind at all & paired it up w/ a top sheet rotated from another solid set.

I use sheets almost all the time.

joann's has some wide backing fabric. i'm surprised Hancock fabrics doesn't. other than that, you can by the length you need, times two and sew yardage together to make it work.

I buy the set when I have to. So far my quilts I've made are no bigger than double size, but the fitted sheet can be used too, just cut the elastics off. :)

I use sheets all the time and can always find King sized cotton or flannel sheets for less than $10 at Lens Mills or Giant Tiger (only in Canada). Sears also sells single sheets. Sheets machine quilt up just fine, wash and wear well. I would hate to use yardage often $10 to $15 a meter here when I would need 5 or 6 metres for a large quilt. I stock up on sheets when I find them on sale and buy colours that I know will work out for the scrap quilts I usually make.