Bed Sheets
 

I've been told that sheets are NOT good for quilts. However, sometimes I see posts where people are using them. I recall someone telling me it has to do with the thread count (maybe its too high and the sewing machine needle has trouble). So . . . what's the deal? Stein Mart has really cute sheets and they'd make a terrific quilt back.

I never have tried them, but have read on here that lots of people have. I guess you could take your chances and give them a try. Hope there are responses from those who have success.

I have wondered this same thing. I know there is a lot of requests for old sheets for chairty quilts. I will look forward to what the experts have to say.

I use sheets a lot. wash first to get sizing out I use 200-250 thread count and have no problem.

I have used sheets on two quilts so far. I machine quilted both quilts and they are doing well so far. I don't think they are recommended for hand quilting from what I have read.

I use sheets as much as I can..No piecing, fit to size and cheaper. I have never had a problem using them..of course I am not using the expensive ones with a high thread count..Those might be difficult to quilt thru..i hand quilt everything without a problem

I've used plenty of sheets for backing and never had any problems. I have heard that they're hard to quilt if you hand quilt, but since I don't hand quilt, I don't worry about it. I've even used polar fleece for backing, didn't have any problems. I say that if you want to use sheets, go for it.

Buy the sheets. They machine quilt easily, wash and wear really well and are an inexpensive way to back your quilt saving you money to buy fabric for tops. Unless it is a really special quilt, I use sheets for backing all the time and have had excellent results. I even bring the backing to the front and top stitch it down for binding on many of my everyday quilts (don't tell the quilt police!). It's your quilt, try it out!

I think often the people who are saying 'Never use a sheet' are saying it because -back in the day- sheets were often polyester blends- people hand quilted- and they were a bugger to hand stitch through---We've come a long way Baby! now with more people machine quilting, with cotton sheets being easier to find, and with our (adventurous nature) it is becoming more acceptable....one thing is true though---the quilting cottons you purchase at the quilt shop is *generally* about a 60 thread count fabric---sheets are much *denser*---but if you buy 100% cotton, and prewash it- it softens up- and they really are not so difficult to stitch through- even by hand....if you want to use a sheet- then use a sheet---no one needs to know except you---if you find yourself surrounded by the ^quilt police^ who are preaching the sins of sheets, simply smile and keep your little secret to yourself- they will oooh & ahhh over your quilt without having any idea---and if they ask where you found such a wonderful backing....well...play it by ear- 'just got lucky & found a good deal' or tell them---JCPenney white sale :)..often I just tell people- oh I shop on line a lot- who knows where that fabric came from---it's fabulous though isn't it? :)

I inherited a bunch of quilts (from a lady that quilted for YEARS).... All of hers are backed with sheets.. and they were all hand quilted. I am right now finishing one of her quilts that she started out hand quilting and I am finishing it the same way with hand quilting.. it is backed with a sheet and I am having no problems!! I plan on using sheets for my own! I know a lot who do!

I have made 2 whole cloth quilts that I designed the pattern for each. I used a sheet for the top and bottom, hand quilted both without any problem. Both quilts were king size. I have never understood all the talk of to use or not to use sheets in quilting. I've had sheets that have lasted many years. Why would it not last as long in a quilt. I always have a sheet between the sleeper and my quilts, so my thinking is the sheet linning for the quilt will last as long as the top.

I think I've read that you should use a certain thread count to make quilting easier. Not sure what that is now. I remember on here or maybe another board someone said that a real quilt does not have a sheet for backing. LMAO. Quilt police are everywhere.

I've been on the hunt for vintage sheets to use but have had no luck. I think every other quilter in my area has the same idea and got there before I did.

It's your quilt - you can use what you want. That is a good thing. Try it see if it gives you the look and finish you want.

I use sheets all the time, no one but me evens knows as most of mine are gifted to non quilters. Never had a problem. I have a few thrift stores I always stop by to look specifically for sheets, also at garage sales. I rarely spend more than 3.00 for one, very inexpensive backing, more money for fabric. don't tell anyone one but I've been known to cut up a white sheet to use in a top if I am out of white and can't get to a store. In my scrappy series I have been posting some of the white patches are sheeting. Can you tell which or did you notice?

In quilting these days you will hear lots of you CAN'T do ........ or you MUST do .......

Now, think about women on the wagon train. They made quilts with whatever. We can, too.

Try things. See what you like and what works for you. Just because someone else doesn't like it means nothing.

I have used sheets on my quilts and have not had a problem with ma hine quilting on my Emerald 118. I look for 100% cotton 250 thread count or less. Walmart has solid colors for $15 for king size sheet. Works great for a full/ queen quilt.

Sheets would be more difficult to hand quilt through, but they do work fine for machine quilting.

I sure wish I knew where I got the "rules" from! I remember being told NEVER use sheets to back a quilt, but I'll be darned if I can remember why! and I'll bet it's the same source that told me NOT to starch fabric ! I just tried starch and holy cow, what a difference...if I get the same level of results from using sheets.....Whooo Boy!

I do remember where I heard the "rule" about never using sheets. It was at a class at a quilt shop. Hmmm? I've never tried using one for a quilt, but when I first got my quilting machine I used sheets with batting between them for practicing/learning before I quilted a pieced quilt and they worked well.

Thank you so much for posting this. I have often wondered the same thing but have also heard that using sheets is a big no-no. I am going to try it. I do have one old sheet that I bought for 2$. brand new about 40 years ago (honest) and it is still in good shape. It is now retired but if it lasted this long sheets must be ok for quilts.

Me, too! I shop for flannel sheets at the end of the winter season and get sets - twin, full, queen or king - at very reasonable prices. Plus I get a pillow case or two to go with the quilts that are backed with the sheets.

The fitted sheet can be 'unfitted' by taking out the elastic and the darts that 'fit' the sheet, then squaring the sheet. The pillow cases can be cut apart (easier for me than using the seam ripper) and then used with the rather large scraps left after squaring the fitted sheet to make another backing.

I've picked up some sheets at Goodwill and used them for backing, too. When I do that, I make sure to thoroughly examine them for soiling and stains before I purchase them. I learned to do that the HARD way! :o

I would like to try sheets but can't find single sheets anywhere. Where do you find single sheets to use?

I used flannel sheets to back a lot of quilts that I made. None of them were any trouble to use. I think their are people who just think you should use some expensive fabric for the backs. I bought sheets at the sheet places in Long Island, NY. Sent lots home and used til all gone.

I'm another one that uses sheets all the time. Works just fine and I love them because they are big enough without having to piece them .

Not too long ago there was a thread on this topic. There were mixed opinions. I quilted a quilt with a sheet back on my LA with disasterous results.

My suggestion, make a quilt sandwich (use 100% cotton) sample and give it a try. If you like the results-go for it.

I mostly use inexpensive sheets that are 80%cotton with 20% polyester, and find them excellent to use, and feel lovely and soft. I have quilted using a tougher 60% poly sheet and it was awful, with no give and it kept skipping stitches. Mytwo-needle coverstitch machine won't sew that fabric at all, it's like parachute fabric. Had a call from the owner of that quilt last night. She washed the quilt and found the poly backing is pilling, so now is wanting it replaced, or covered up.

Sheets work great no matter if you are hand or machine quilting. I have never had a problem. You can also get some "like new" sheets at thrift stores or yard sales that are very reasonable. If they are washed and look good, what difference does it make. IMHO

Do what you can afford...lower thread count sheets are very reasonably priced and some nice ones, barely used are available at thrift stores. They work fine. Do wash new flannel sheets before using them as they may shrink. Do what YOU want, never mind the naysayers.

My maternal grandmother used sheets all the time. I have a quilt that she gave me 40 years ago and the back is holding up a lot better than the pieced top.

Of course, back then, the sheets were all cotton.

I just recently used my Joann's coupon to buy cute fleece to back two baby quilts. I like using alternative materials for backing. I have found that the backings take more abuse that the tops especially the lap/snuggle quilts since there's no sheets between them and the people using them.

P.S. I'm not a long arm quilter, but if you send your quilts to a long arm quilter, please check with them first before choosing a backing fabric.

Two of my granddaughters each made a "2 sheet quilt" as listed in the 4-H program of things that can be entered in the 4-H Fair. They didn't use sheets because they wanted animal fabric, but sheets were acceptable and expected. We have pictures of three generations making the ties in their family room on my big quilt frame: myself, my daughter and her two daughters, all gathered around one quilt. It was a group effort and fun.

When it came to doing the bindings, Gina said, "Do I have to sew by hand?" She did, and when she saw all the other quilts at the fair, she said, "Now I see why I need to sew by hand."

BTW, they both got blue ribbons!

Being a longarm quilter I have a few customers who bring sheets for the backing of their quilts. I , nor my machine, have any problem with quilting with the sheets. My job is to quilt, not to criticize. I do find that if an older sheet is used that has been washed a lot, the back stitches look a lot better than if a newer sheet is used. I find even a newer sheet that has been washed will not let the machine stitches "sink" in, they tend to lay on top even with a lot of adjusting of the machine's tension. In my oppinion, it is the tension concern that mashine quilters have, which hand quilters do not need to face. Just my two cents worth.

It is more stressful to your hand to attempt to hand quilt on sheets for reason of the high thread count. There's no problem when doing machine quilting. 100% cotton sheets are best.

I had heard, the reason NOT to use sheets is due to the higher thread count, that the quilting can't go through the threads, so it breaks them, and it time that will start to show. So if you use sheets, the lower thread count would be better. I don't know if tis is true, just what I was told.

I have been using sheets as backing for several years, and get along fine. I either tie or hand quilt my tops. When I started in guild 9 yrs. ago, it was "preached" not to use sheets, but to go buy more fabric for the back. We just happened to have a quilt shop in town then. Well, that worked for awhile, but it wasn't so much that there was something wrong with using sheets as it was to support the quilt shop. Now the guild says it is fine to use sheets. I think it is something that "comes and goes." Guess it has "come" again now! Mariah.

Here is another thread on this same topic. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...g-t109746.html

Today's KMArt flyer on page 22 lists twin size flat or fitted Canon 200 thread count sheets as costing $5.99. Our KMart also has online ordering, so if you're not near a KMart, maybe you could check online. They state there are up to 15 colors available. Happy shopping!

I use sheets alot, have no problems quilting with them and they wear better than muslin.

Wal Mart has single sheets and they are very reasonable and in many colors. We have a craftmatic bed that takes XLT sheets and so I make my own fitted bottom sheets and buy the matching King for the top. I just wish you could still find the wonderful print sheets we used to be able to buy.
Guess I may have to start doing yard/estate sales around here, you never know so many estate sales, found my DH cotton PJ's still in bag new for $1.50 and it is hard to buy that kind any more. Lots of estate sales here in FL.

To Petthefabric: Could you share what disastrous results you experienced? (and hello from a former Fresno hometowner)
Thanks
Susan