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.