Does anyone know the cotton thread count for quilting fabric? My neighbor just purchased some bed sheets at Macy's and she thinks she can use them for quilts. Although I have heard people using bed sheets for backing, I've never heard of anyone using them for the tops. The bed sheets she purchased are 200 thread count.

If anyone says that's fine for quilts, I'm going to Macy's this weekend! The floral bed sheets she purchased are very pretty, and they were $8.99 a set, twin size.

As far as I know the thread count of quilting fabric can be different. For Kona Cottons 60 by 60 threads per inch is indicated by the manufacturer - that means a thread count of 120.
There are other fabrics with a higher thread count, for example the Japanese fabric of Quilt Gate with about 150.
I have never used bed sheets for quilt backings, therefore I can't give you information about this - but I am sure you will get help here on the board.

somewhere between 100 & 200 is the norm- batiks have a bit higher.
many people re-use sheets- for piecing and backings.

It's my understanding that quilting cotton thread counts range between 60 square and 75 square. The higher counts use thinner threads, resulting in a softer hand.

Check this discussion for more info http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-93689-1.htm

There are several different ways of 'counting' threads, so be sure you're comparing apples to apples. :)

I used a sheet for the background color on a catherdal window quilt. I don't think there's any set rules for what you can or can't use for your quilt. People use T shirt material, silk, velvet, and other fabrics so why not a cotton sheet?

I'd venture to use them for backs, but piecing with a bunch of material of different thread counts and weights will be more of a challenge, the final product may look and feel differently in spots and just isn't worth it, IMO.

Most cotton fabric runs about 120 thread count, except batiks which are much higher. The problem with using a really high thread count fabric comes with quilting it. speaking as a one time husband of a long arm quilter its a pain in the tush.

Tension is the problem, particularly if the high thread count fabric is mixed in wih cotton blocks.

Lanny

Quilting fabric has 60 threads per inch standard. I've found 60 - 65 to be the average. I have a tread counter and take it with me when I shop for fabric. I find most shops have mostly 60 threads per inch fabric, it's not on the bolt anywhere. When I do ask the manager /owner they never know. That's why I take my thread counter.

68 is what I look for premium quilting fabric. It doesn't shrink or ravel very much.

Great idea! I just ordered one - thanks! :)

My mom used bed sheets often for quilts. Mostly she tied these quilts.

Where does one find a thread counter? I have asked the sales reps about thread count and most of them have no idea.

I ordered one from an eBay seller - they're also called linen testers. :)

Thanks.

The sheets that I buy at WM for my backing are 200 count.

They're available all over the internet, just Google 'linen tester'. You can also just use a 6X (or stronger) magnifying glass.

Thanks, ghostrider and the polyparrot. I Googled and I have a similar device, but I am not sure of the power. So you use the little scale on the bottom portion and if it is for cotton/linen, it will have numbers like 60/inch, etc? Just trying to clarify how it gives the scale.

Why not fine? I live in Poland where we have almost no "quilting cotton" and I use clothing, sheets and curtains from the used clothing store. If it 100% cotton it gets snapped up very, very quickly. It works just fine. Really.

To be honest, if it is the right color, I'll even use 50/50, but I don't prefer to--usually just keep looking for 100% cotton.

Why not fine? I live in Poland where we have almost no "quilting cotton" and I use clothing, sheets and curtains from the used clothing store. If it 100% cotton it gets snapped up very, very quickly. It works just fine. Really.

To be honest, if it is the right color, I'll even use 50/50, but I don't prefer to--usually just keep looking for 100% cotton.

You can use whatever you want to use. If you like the feel of them why not? There are no rules!

Sheets may be ok for machine quilting, but if you are using them for hand quilting, buy the cheapest one you can find. They are less thread count and easier to quilt through. I have used only one sheet and it was for a whole cloth quilt I did several years ago. Good luck!

I have no idea what project my neighbor plans to use the sheets for, but I'll tell her it's been recommended that she machine quilt. I machine piece and hand quilt, so I may pass on purchasing sheets for a quilt. I'd hate to make things harder for myself!

I've never noticed before but does the count thread show on the bolts of fabric?

I have used bed sheets for whole cloth quilting, it turned out great and launders great.

No, very rarely to never.

Thread counter....wow, what is the brand name, where did you purchase it?

I personally hate to use sheets. I find that they ravel so much and that they are hard to do any kind of hand work on. I did use an old, old sheet for the lining on my bedspread blouse I made, but it seemed appropriate to the blouse (wearing your bed to work kinda tickled me.)

I use bed sheets all the time for backing - the thread count on the sheets does not matter to me, I don't always know the thread count as I will buy good sheets at garage sales, or the thrift store. I've never encountered a problem, but I do my own quilting. Some shops that do quilting will not take sheets for backing.

I have used sheets for backing and for piecing. I hand quilt and have no problem. Our vintage quilts often have a bit of variety in the thread count but all were hand quilted. Unless you do a quilt with all the same collection you probably will have a different count. And the print can sometimes be different in a collection that the plain or TOT. Try it, remembering there are no rules.

I do hand quilting...can't use sheets for that. Makes quilting too hard. My opinion, anyway.

I have had several quilts professionaly long arm quilted. The lady who does the quilting prefers sheets for the backing if the quilt is to be used regularly.

You have just proved that there is a match for quilters no matter what material they use! I won't take a sheet as backing from a client as it is too difficult to get the tension as perfect as I expect my machine to give me.

Ahhhh, quilting, where you can use anything you want to make your masterpiece AND find someone else who will happily use the same thing!

And these are 100% cotton?!?

Any cotton material is suitable for you top piece. That was one of the things our ancestors used when they couldn't afford to purchase cloth. Depending on the project I've used sheets for material, as backing, and even as batting when whoever don't want a thick quilt.
I loved the 250 thread count. It was strong enough to hold the shape of the pieces I cut. The 250 count seems to be phased out in most stores as affordable sheets, and the 200 thread count is taking it's place.
All of my old cotton print material I've brought from stores were a lot thicher, maybe 300 thread count, only the plain standard material was 200 count. In January, before walmart brought back their material section, I went to Joanns for plain black fabric and it was so thin I could see through it, and the price had doubled. I had to use spray starch to firm it up so I could work with it. In comparision to a white sheet I brought for backing, I discovered they had a thred coult of 130.
In the end it is entirely up to you which material you want to use always considering what you want to use it for, and how you are going to finish it [machine or hand quilting].
p.s. Think, do you want to spend the time with a seam ripper taking out the hems?

200 ct should be fine! What you want to avoid is HIGH counts- the expensive ones- like the egyptian ones that feel like satin & cost an arm& a leg! LOL!!!

year ago I bought a bag of cotton/poly sheet remnants from a remnant shop in NC. I made a quilt out of them and it worked fine. The weight of the fabric was about the same so was easy to piece. You can do it out of 600 thread count if you want. Just have to respect the nature of the fabric and work with it.

The only thing I recall of using Sheets for backings, was that for handquilting it was harder to quilt. Otherwise I cannot see not using a quality sheet for backing if it suits the quilt you are making.. Especialy for kids quilts that will be washed often.

i looked everywhere for a white background with some little bit of pink on it...never found it, walking thru linen & things (i really miss that store) and there was a full set of sheets, white with small (1/4 inch) pink pocka dots...

perfect...worked great 6 yrs later still in one piece.