I just realized that I have some older (unused) white all-cotton muslin sheets (the package says 134 threads psi - and that they are "sanfordized" to reduce shrinkage to 1%) I've been dreaming of an old fashioned "cottage-y" type quilt in light blue floral & white - could this be used for the white?

Sheets are used as backing so I say why not ? Maybe prewash ?

Lots of people use sheets for backing. I used a sheet on my first quilt! I didn't know enough to use 100% cotton, but it has help up fine over 30 years!

Many use cotton sheets, so I don't know why not :D:D:D

I'm glad I remembered I had them - thanks! :-D

You sure can I have used them for backings and for piecing
on the front I buy the flat sheets for backing and the fitted for piecing, works for me :D

Yes I used a sheet as backing on my quilt for my mom. It worked perfectly so I don't see why you couldn't use for the front cotton is cotton. I would recommend washing them though.

I use them all the time, and mostly use sheets for backing fabric. Higher thread count sheets are more difficult to hand quilt through, and cotton sateen can be slick to work with, but I never have any problems using sheets. I think it is against the quilt police guidelines, but I frequently use vintage sheets, and I buy flat solid sheets at places like Ross and TJMaxx and use them for backing all the time. Have even made a couple of whole cloth quilts with interesting sheets.

Not long ago someone on an email group I'm on posted about some quilts she got, I believe, from her aunt (after she died maybe). Anyway she was dismayed that these quilts had sheets for backing because, as she said, "real" quilters never use sheets. Quite a few people, including me, did not agree. I have not used sheets in a quilt but that doesn't mean I never will.

Thinking about it, I bet that way-back-when, old sheets were probably used quite often - along with old shirts and dresses. The more I think about it the more I think it would be perfect. Now I just need to start a new bin for yet another project to come....

Just remember there are no rules in quilting it is pretty much anything goes. With that said I found a vintage quilt that my MIL made that had cotton, polyester, and I am not kidding here even old cut up sweaters!!

It was done in the early 70's so you can just imagine some of the Groovy prints that are in it.....

Billy

Of coarse...i have used sheets many times. They wear well and launder easily...go for it!

I bought a king sized flat sheet at a thrift shop a few years back for $2. Going to use it eventually in some manner. That is a lot of floral fabric that was in good condition. Thread count seems good too.
Why not use sheets, they can cost less than backing material.

Cotton is what we buy off the bolt for quiltsssss and piecing. Sheets are cotton ( off a bolt0 that has been hemmed. Why not?????

Even the good parts of worn out sheets were salvaged and used - perhaps as filler or foundations -

I am glad you posted this. I am finally getting around to finishing the quilt for our bed and am doing new curtains for the room as well.

I did find backing fabic that works but AM going to use king size sheets (cut to size) to create the lining for my curtains. If that goes as all as I hope, then I will not be afraid to use sheets on my quilts.

I have even used "gently" used sheets in place of a batting for a light summer quilt.

My Grandmother used sheets all the time for quilting. There were no quilt stores back then. People would give her bags of scraps leftover from making clothes. I have inherited a black and white quilt made with "wet look" fabric and sheets for the batting and backing.

And there are a lot of us out there that don't use all cotton either. I have made several quilts using fleece or minkee for the backing.

I had one relative that used to buy wool army blankets from the Salvation Army and used them for batting.

My MIL only uses sheets for the batting in her quilts.

I look for flannel sheets to use for backing and if not in great shape color wise..use for batting in small projects.
I also use material that I find that I may not really like...large florals or whatever to use for backing.
My quilting teacher has some of the prettiest backs to her quilt using scrap pieces and odd blocks...like getting two in one. I love that Idea. So I always after my first two try to be creative with my backs.

I think the reason the quilt police say - NO SHEETS - is because they can be difficult when hand quilting. This is because of the higher thread count. Also, a treated sheet MIGHT shrink less than the cotton fabric off the bolt. I would prewash your other fabric to be sure it has gotten its shrink out!
Having said that, I've used sheets for backing a number of times and the quilts turned out fine.

I look for flannel sheets to use for backing and if not in great shape color wise..use for batting in small projects.
I also use material that I find that I may not really like...large florals or whatever to use for backing.
My quilting teacher has some of the prettiest backs to her quilt using scrap pieces and odd blocks...like getting two in one. I love that Idea. So I always after my first two try to be creative with my backs.

Our ancesters used whatever was avaible so you can too.To me thats what quilting is all about, I love going to estate sales and finding a box of scraps that the old farm wife had made aprons and blouses out of.

I agree! Everytime i get yet another quilt out of my scraps I feel I'm honoring my grandma. She saved fabric from scraps/clothing to make her quilts. They were beautiful!

Tough to needle if you're hand quilting. Great for machine quilting

The other question to ask is..How is the quilt going to be quilted??? I understand that hand quilting would be hard to do with high thread counts. If machine quilting, then you should be fine. K

Vintage sheets are super-popular right now! Moda even came out with a line called "Dream On" that is based on vintage sheet patterns.

I have a lot of sheets that I use in my quilting and have used solid white many times. The only problem I have had was one time the sheet fabric pilled. Now I make sure they are washed first.

Here is a blog about using vintage sheets: http://vintagesheets.blogspot.com/

Ditto

I am using a sheet for backing on a quilt right now that I'm machine quilting. It was an odd flat sheet with no match and the color was perfect for the quilt. I have been pleasantly surprised!

Mid 70's I had very little money and used three sheets. Two stitched by hand in quarter inch "tunnels" where a fat yarn was pulled into the back side to fill the tunnels. Made an eagle that way, each feather and all details done this way then quilted with a sheet backing. Won a blue ribbon. I learned that a very small needle slipped right through all three sheets without a problem. Went on to using batiks which cost an outrageous $4 a yard in 1974, and looked nothing like batiks today.

i see the word Minkee on here alot, but would you tell me what it is, thank-you , thelma

this is amazing!!!! I was always thought that sheets were a no no. Now I will use them. I just started a simple Irish chain and wish I knew that I could use the white, cotton sheets. What a time I had buying a good useful white fabric.
Thanks ladies!!!!!

If you are a hand quilter and go to buy a sheet for backing, look for the least expensive as they have a smaller thread count. I did a whole cloth quilt and used a sheet for the backing and it turned out fine, even was a prize winner. I haven't used a sheet since, as it was hard on the fingers.

I bought two sheets yesterday that I intend to use for backing. They are 100% cotton, 200 thread count, 108in x 108in. The cost the equivalent of $17.40 each.

The last time I bought a piece of cotton this big was from Hancocks of Paducah, same thread count, same width, and about $13 PER YARD, then I had to pay shipping on top of that. As far as I am concerned, I will be looking for more of these sheets.

Mom and I used sheets all the time back in 60's and I'm using the quilts today so they last a long time.
It's also fun to quilt a floral pattern sheet for the backing.Take it a step further I bought a bridal gown for 15.00 and used satin,beads,lining,etc.to last a life time,it was old giving new life to these gorgeous embellishments.Jet

Sorry to say that I use sheets all the time for the backing of my quilts. I don't like to have to piece the backing and I find that I can get a flat sheet a lot cheaper than buying material and piecing it. It's worked out great for me and nobody ever complains that I have a sheet for a backing. To some people, it might not be right but it is right for me.

IMO sheets are so much better looking than muslin used for backing. If you can get some nice sheets with a coordinating print, it is much more interesting than plain, muslin.

Do you still have this quilt? I would love to see your work.

I used to make comforters out of two flat sheets. They lasted forever.

Absolutely! Just laugh at the quilt police, whatever they may think. And I've got quilts I made with 65 percent polyester and 35 percent cotton and vice versa 30 years ago that have never faded in the wash and look like new.