Wondering if the "percale" sheets are the problem? I remember they feel different??

When my mother gave me her stash last year there were a couple of sheets in it that she had bought specifically for quilt backing - and she only hand quilted. I just finished the second quilt with those sheets and they worked beautifully for fmq on my dsm. They worked so well that I am going to brouse the bedding departments a lot more for sheets to use!

Since beginning my quilting journey 30years ago, I have been using sheets for machine quilting and for hand quilting.
Never had any problems. Just bought the mid range cost .......

I use old sheets a lot, both cotton and flannel ones. I always trim off the hems and put them in a basket because they make good bindings. Some sheets do not have hemming down the sides and you will find that those sides are usually salvage. If I am making a rag quilt then I will also cut off the salvages.

I definitely a not an expert, but have used bed sheets for batting, and have not had any complaints. All my quilts are just for family, and I don't ever sell any, so that is my two cents worth.
I have never used them for backing.

I use them all the time.
I hand quilt & have had no problem.

Im no expert but I can say Ive used sheets and mine have pulled through But I have my standards for sheets they have to have that "feel" to them I guess others call it high stitch count and always 100% cotton. I have a Singer 9960 and she had no problem with the free motion, binding, etc. choose the right needle and know your machine I dont see any problems.

I use sheets all the time-I pick them up at garage sales-I have never had a problem with them-they are cheaper than fabric store material. Some times I'll use the sheet as pieces for the top of the quilt if it suits my color combo. Of course I always wash the sheet before using it, weather it is new or from a garage sale you never know where it has been even if they tell you it has been washed before they put it on the sale.

go for the sheets. who cares what the quilt police say.........LOL

If you pick up sheets at garage and estate sales, how do you know what the thread count is? I have to go by the package. lol

Sheets are great. Low thread count is the best. The needle does not break the treads. Go for it. Just love sheets on the back of everyday quilts and kids quilts too.

Gosh, I sure hope I never meet the quilt police...they sound very scary. I think I will just keep quilting with the help of this terrific board..."you rock, Quilters!!!!!

The LAQ machine had been used for a quilt with cotton fabric backing. Removed it, loaded the quilt (batik) with a new cotton sheet for backing. Used same type thread. The top thread made big loops on the back. Took it out, reloaded, oiled the machine, sample, adjusted tension, rethreaded machine, start over on tension. Improved a lot but still had loops occasionally on bottom. Informed customer who said it would be ok. Finished and offered free service. She insisted on paying me. Spent hours serviceing, samples, oiling, adjusting, ripping. Won't accept another.

I think the thing to consider is the size of the sheet and the size you want the quilt to be. My grandma, god rest her soul, used sheets but she would use a twin size sheet for a twin size quilt and therefore it was a little on the small size. So you may need to use a sheet a size larger than the bed the quilt is intended for (is this clear or muddled?) I agree that you would want 100% cotton, but then again if it is to be machine quilted it shouldn't be a problem. You can always try it once and make your own decision.

Was the sheet washed before you used it? I've had no problems with sheets, but always wash them first.

Having said that, some machines are pickier than others. Apparently mine isn't too picky.

Walmart...

We always use sheets for our practice pieces. When Kevin is working on a new design, out come the sheets! So, if it's okay for a practice piece on our longarm, it certainly would be fine to use on a quilt :)

Christine

I'm a longarm quilter and have had a number of clients bring sheets to me to use for backings for their quilt. Though I've read many negative posts about sheets as backings but I've never had any problem with them at all. These quilts I was brought were not of a high thread count, probably purchased at Walmart or Marden's (local salvage store). Maybe a 600 thread count sheet would be problematic, I have no idea but so far so good for me.

100% cotton sheets should be fine! I used an old worn out one on a quilt that no one would ever see the back of.

Sheet are great for tied quilts and I'm sure for machine quilting. They last forever! Made a tied bed spread out of sheets in 1980 and though it is not on top anymore, it is still going strong after constant use.

My mother in law has used sheets on the back of her quilts for as long as I can remember. She is now 93 years old and is still hand quilting. So you can use sheets on the back of your quilt and still hand quilt but she always says wash them first and don't get a sheet that has more then a 250 thread count.

I've used sheets for backings. As far as I know they haven't been a problem for my LAQ and everyone who has such a quilt seems to like it just fine. I love the availability of single size backings and the colors/designs are great.

I use new and old sheets. As long as the thread count is about 200 to 250 and no higher than that there should not be a problem with using them.

The only thing I'd worry about with used cotton sheets is rot from exposure to body oils. There is something about my DH's body chemistry - our fitted sheets become rotted and fragile on his side of the bed after just a few years and eventually start literally falling apart in the middle. I don't see the problem as much on top sheets but it makes me not want to use our old sheets for quilting, other than maybe for foundation piecing.

But new sheets - I don't see any reason at all why they wouldn't work. Just watch out for cheap poly blends that might pill up with use.

I use sheets as quilt backs all the time. And I mean all the time ! I have not had any problem with them at all. I posted a picture of my Waverly Sheet Quilt about a week ago and it was all sheets, front and back. I have taken several of my quilts to my long armer Marie and she has never said one word against it, I asked her after hearing negative comments on the board. I know they say the thread count is too high, but why does it work so well for me ? I would say to try it first on one sheet and see what you think. My Bernina sails right through it with no problem at all. I do use good needles and change them often.

I just used an old white sheet that was my grandmothers on a donation quilt for Oklahoma. I have a small box in the basement with these sheets. They are all pre-70's so are cotton. Went thru my Aunt's linen closet after she passed and added a couple extras.
They are no different than fabric for machine quilting...

Back in the 70's. My first quilt i backed with a sheet. My daughter loved the feel of the sheet her skin on those night she just wanted her quilt. I tried it with yarn. She had it on her bed everyday until the top came apart in the 90's. She took it with her to Rick's collage. It really pleased me that she loved that quilt as much as she did. Last year i went to bb&b got fannel sheets on clearance. Made the quilt using the flat sheet for the back. Then gave my quilt and the fitted sheet as a gift. They loved it. So go for any idea you have. You have nothing to loose.

I have used sheets for backs and have cut them up to use in various ways as I make a quilt top, however, I always tie these as they are not always needle friendly when you try to hand quilt them.

I have used sheets also. Often the local thrift store will have new sheets in the package really cheap. (save money for fabric!)

I am SO HAPPY to hear that the "quilt police" are unwelcome in other communities, too! Thank goodness most of us have sense enough to ignore (or at least challenge) the "rules" -- like not using sheets, or a particular kind of thread, or mandatory pre-washing, or whatever. Ask a given question to any quilter worth her salt and hopefully her reply will be "it depends...tell me more about what you plan to do." Amen, Sisters!

My favorite "cozy quilt" is backed with a flannel sheet from JC Penny and it gets washed a ton and still looks and feels great.

I tell my customers to buy the lowest thread count sheets...higher counts (over 250 or 300 tops) can cause needle holes in the backing, skipped and shredded stitches...the weave is way to tight above 300...actually, 300 count is pushing it...also I have the customer wash & dry the quilt at least twice.
Marge

I made a quilt for my mom using a floral sheet. I fussy cut the flowers in large squares. It turned out really nice.

I most always use 100% cotton sheets with beautiful results, I mostly machine quilt. I like to use the sheets from Target. They have a 300 thread count and are very soft and quilt up beautifully. Inexpensive too!

I use flannel sheets for the batting. I get them at the thrift shops and they are the perfect weight. Never had any problem with quilting them.

I have also heard you can have problems backing with sheets and esp. hand quilting but it looks like we've got several on here that do it with no problem. Good information to know.

I'm making a little girls quilt right now, and bought a 250 count sheet. Since I'm machine quilting it's no big deal. If I was going to hand quilt then I would use traditional muslin or something. But bed sheets are perfect. No more quilt police.

I have used sheets for years. Love them!!! I use high end ones with lots of thread count as they are so very soft. I try to alway get them on a good sale as they can be expensive otherwise. I have NEVER-- EVER had a problem quilting it. But I machine quilt, not hand quilt. I don't know if that would make a difference.

My family has used sheets for backing for years. A couple of years ago I made four quick quilts for my four grandkids with flannel fat quarters and used flannel sheets bought on sale to use for backing and it worked great. All were individual, but similar and all even had pillow cases to keep their Grandma quilts in when not in use!