Has anyone ever used cotton sheeting to back a quilt??? I have my dresden top finished its 97" square, I'm going to hand quilt and thought one big piece of cotton sheeting might work. That way I have no seam joining the fabric in the back. If you have or haven't used it any opinion is appreciated
Thanks
karen

get ready for 18,476.582 opinions. LOL

personally, i think sheets are fine if you can find them soft enough to hand quilt through and they save you money. i usually use sheets only if i'm machine quilting.

I'm not above using a sheet now and then either - just make sure it's 100% cotton, or there can be piling problems down the road. It is a lot harder to get through with hand needle, so have a good thimble.

That is about all I use for backing fabric for larger quilts as then you don't have any seams.....but I either tie or machine quilt mine too ....I don't know how they would hand quilt. I usually buy the king size sheets at Walmart for about $14 so its cheap backing too!

I have only used sheets on the back of a quilt when I want flannel. Your motivation seems to be to have a seamless backing. That being the case, I would get some of the very wide backing sold in quilt stores. They are printed and look more appropriate with a quilt than do sheets.

M

Take your coupon and use it at Joanns for the extra wide fabric. 108 wide. And buy 100 in and get 40 or 50 percent off

i wasn't up to doing any sewing last night so i decided to read my Complete Guide to Quilting and i read about using bed sheets for backing and this is what it says in book. I'll quote from book:
TIP: Bedsheets for backing- don't do it!
Although it's tempting to use a bedsheet because of its size, sheets don't make good quilt backs. The thread count is much higher in sheeting than in common quilting fabrics. The tighter weave causes the needle to break the sheet's threads when it pierces through, rather than pushing between the threads as it does with quiting fabric, thus leaving holes and diminishing the stability fo the sheet.

I haven't finished a quilt to do any quilting so i don't know how true this is, i guess its up to the individual if they choose to use bed sheets. I just thought i'd pass on what i read last night. Good luck with your choice.

Denise....I bet they are talking about hand quilting tho... I have never broke any needles quilting with my machine. I am sure I read somewhere that hand quilting with sheets is next to impossible.

I'd love to use a joanns coupon, one problem, we dont have Joanns in Canada .....darn

The title of the page is PLANNING THE QUILT BACK
this area speaks of how to determine the measurement and how many pieces are in the backing. Then at the bottom of page is this Tip that i posted above. It doesn't say about the needle breaking it mentions that the needle causes the sheet's threads to break when it pierces through, then pushing between the threads as it does with quilting fabric.

Oh, I read that wrong! LOL

no problem i do that to :wink: :lol:

I have used sheet backs for tied comforters and similar projects. For an heirloom quality quilt, I would use a calico of the same weight and thread count as the fabrics I used on the front of the quilt. There are lots of good reasons given above.

I say if you're going to take the time to make a nice quilt, go ahead and spend a few extra bucks on the extra wide backing. I wish there was more variety, but solids are fairly common. Most quilt stores have some, and if none do locally, go ahead and do the net. Pieced backs aren't out of the realm of possibilities, though personally I like a solid back. If nothing else, how about a reversible with something simple on back?

Ruth, how did you know what I was doing with my 40% off coupon today? Going for forest green, though I’ve stocked up with coupons on red, royal blue and a cream colored paisley. Three yards of the extra wide goes a long, long way!

Hi love to quilt if you're talking about sheets you put on the bed that is 100% cotton that is all i use for backing, of course i send my tops to a long arm quilter, i have been told it's harder to quilt by hand if you use a sheet, i've never done it. :lol: Annette

Ah, but even though you don't have a JoAnn's in Canada, they do have a website with 40% off coupons, so you could order online.

I usually get the 200 count white muslin that is either 90" or 108" wide (I can't remember, and they probably have both), because I'm lazy and don't like to piece backs. At the store, it's about $8 a yard, so the discount coupon would probably more than make up for the shipping charges.

There are several other websites where you can get 108" backing that is either printed or in solid colors. It will cost a bit more, but is worth looking into.

I love the feel of cotton percale so that is what I use for my quilts whenever I can. I machine and hand quilt and have no problem with either. I've never had any problems with the needle putting holes in the material either but then I use a #5 quilting needle which is very small. I say do whatever you want, you are the artist. :D

:lol: Hi, Karen, I've found you again! I bought a black sheet to use for a backing and was advised by more experienced quilters to never use sheet (especially for hand quilting) Thought I was getting a bargain.
I've wondered if you got my second snail mail? Mailed shortly after the suede arrived. Thanks again. Haven't been able to use it yet.
BEST..Cecelia

I have used sheets that I bought at Goodwill and they are really cheap, and soft. I also learned at Crazymomquilts that if one uses printed sheets for backing when beginning to quilt that you will see less of your goofs.
I have just finished my third quilt and used plain lime green sheet and she was right, I can see the errors. But it doesn't matter, I learned a lot from this and my next one will be that much better.
My granddaughter who helped me with this is quite happy with it and she doesn' t see the mistakes, just the beauty.
http://quiltingforfunandmorefun.blogspot.com One thing I learned here on this forum is that I must use more pins...

I just looked at your quilt. Very pretty!

Are you talking about buying the 102 X whatever sheeting fabric on the bolt? I use that all the time. I love the unbleached look and feel of it for hand quilting. They do have it in colors and white white, but I like the slight color variation on the unbleached look when using the patterns of old.

I have used 'sheets' to back my fleece blankets, but I wash and dry them twice to get all the sizing out of them. Then I do a rinse with white vinegar and hang it on the line to dry. I only tie them, I've never tried to quilt them.

Hope all this helps.
Hugs,
Sharon

I use the sheets from Walmart for my backs and I hand quilt, I have not had any problems.

I use thrift store sheets for $1.50...they look very nice, and i have no problems of any kind either machine quilting or hand quilting. I just make sure the sheets i buy have aq nice soft feel to them.