Friend using Old sheet as backing
 

I have a dear friend who is making two quilts, one for each of her grandsons. The quilts will be a feast for the eyes of young children, no doubt about that!

She is barely making ends meet, so took a bunch of 5.5"squares that I had already cut for a project never gotten to - to make the quilts. Not a problem for me, because there is no way that I will Ever be able to use all my fabric during my lifetime, so she is helping me use it up. I know the quilts will be loved and treasured by her grandsons, as well.

Here's the thing. She bought an Old, thin "Alf" sheet for a $ to back one of them. It's probably poly/cotton, but even so it is very worn. She specifically bought it because her son, the grandkids Dad, loved and still loves Alf.

I have no problem whatsoever with her choice of "Alf" on the back. My fear is that the backing will break down quickly after the quilt is quilted and put into use. Worse yet, the fabric might not make it through the quilting. I won't say anything about it to her because she is so thrilled to have found it and get it. I don't want to break her heart!

Has anyone used an "aged" sheet on a quilt before? How long did it hold up? As I said, I will not say anything to her about it; she is so happy with the choice! Are there any special care instructions that I should give her about it?

You, or she, might be able to find an Alf sheet, or fabric, on line. I know it's been a long time since Alf was "with us," but it's worth a shot. If she truly cannot afford it, and you could find it, perhaps you could find/purchase/gift it to her? I guess my gut feeling is that if something happened to the quilt because of the *old* sheet, and I could have helped her by finding an alternative and didn't, I would feel really guilty. Thanks for helping your friend and generously giving her the fabric she needed.

I'm thinking it might be a good idea to use a thin interfacing on the backing sheet before layering. I would have to look to be sure, but I think Pellon 99F is a good lightweight interfacing and not too expensive. Walmart probably carries it. Or use Misty Fuse to fuse a new sheet to the back of the Alf sheet. Both options require a little more money and an investment of time and effort, so it would depend on whether you would want to do it for her.

That is a touchy situation for sure. How kind of you to give her fabric so she could do something with it that makes her so proud!
Since we are more experienced in quilting it is obvious that it's not a good choice but she doesn't realize that. Could you gently explain that to her? I would hate to see her creation ruined before any/much use.
Tough one.

I have used many sheets as backings, but wouldn't use one that very worn and thin. I don't know how well it would hold up though, maybe you can suggest a sheet in better shape, after all, a lot of work/money goes into making a quilt, it would be a shame for her to finish the quilt, wash it, and it falls apart.

I bought some old worn sheets at an estate sale. Sadly, they haven't held up. They're ok for wallhangings, but not ok for a quilt that's used. I made a quilt for my husband that's tied with yarn. All the tied places have holes now (after 15 or so years of use). Once a hole starts, it starts ripping out around it.

That's a tough situation.

Maybe you could suggest that she make coordinating pillow cases from the sheet - then she could get something matching for both boys from the one sheet?

I would be afraid to use an old sheet as backing. I have had older, expensive sheets that tore when I pulled them up to make the bed. Body oils deteriorate the fabric of sheets.

Maybe you could tell her about a forum thread that you recently read that warned against using old sheets as backing. If you can afford it, try to find Alf fabric on-line, or donate more of your stash for her backings. It would be so sad for everyone involved if the quilt fell apart.

I love the idea of using the Alf sheet for pillowcases. And perhaps the better portions of them could be cut out for patches on the front or back of the quilt. There are also some vintage Alf sheets for sale on ebay. I would definitely tell her my concerns about using the sheet to back the quilt, but in the end it's her decision.

Thank you all. I will try to find an "AIf" sheet on line, as suggested. That's a good idea. I just hope she's not offended. She's a good person and doing her best with what she has, but also proud.

Sometimes being proud gets in the way - - - -

I did see some Alf sheets on eBay when I looked.

don't usually recommend Joann's fabricks, but in this instance the 99f is cheaper with coupon there than it is at Walmart, I bought some last week.


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Yup, I saw several. There was one flat twin sheet that looked to be in good condition.

I use 100% new flat cotton sheets as backing most of the time. I wouldn't use a thin poly/cotton but that's her choice. You make mistakes and learn. I've learned lots of lessons since I've started quilting.

Personally I would not use a sheet for a backing. I used one for a comforter years ago and it kept sliding off the bed.
Making quilts are time consuming and I only want to use good fabrics, etc.

You are very kind to help your friend out in this way. It's a coin toss really. But if it were me, I would ask her to hold the sheet up to the light and if she can see through it to read a newspaper as they say, then I would voice my opinion about backing it with another sheet altogether, or fuse one to it. Maybe if part of the "Alf" sheet isn't as worn as the other parts she can cut blocks or strips from it to fuse to another sheet for backing? I'm sure she will appreciate all of your honest opinions and help.

I concur with all the advice you have been given. Better to prepare her for how that sheet might not be sturdy enough than for her to do all the work only to have it fall apart. Pillowcases are a great alternative. If there is not much useable fabric, cut the good part for a cuff. I like the idea of finding another Alf alternative to offer her.

Grandma's do a lot of things but the old thin sheet might need a lot more than what Grandma can do-LATER. I would not want to be the Grandma when the thin sheet falls apart and the quilt must get a full repair. Use better materials first and only once to spare Grandma any future grief or heartache.

the pillow case idea gave me an idea - if the hem on the top of the quillt is less used than the rest, we might be able to get a few 4 - 5 inch blocks from it to incorporate into the quilt back. And we can back those little blocks with another fabric so if they do tear, we may only have to carefully take the individual piece off - very carefully.

Thank all of you for verifying what I was thinking. It really helps to hear from people who have either experienced the old sheet problem or can imagine the same results that I do.

Just remember that sheets can be very difficult to quilt through because of the tight weave. I know that most long armers refuse to work with sheets as backing.

I use sheets and I get them at the thrift stores I look for a 100% cotton and how it feels I have even used ones that are
not all cotton they work okay I do not use the real thin ones.

All of these opinions are true... because we, as experienced quilters, know better than to use inferior materials in our work. BUT... it's her quilt and if she is thrilled with the Alf sheet, I would not butt in on her decision. It's not the end of the world if the quilt falls apart later... Sheets have higher thread count than quilting cotton and you may be surprised at how long it lasts. Let her make her own mistakes and learn, rather than offend her.

Now, if she pointedly asks your opinion on the sheet's fitness for a backing, I'd tell her. But if she doesn't ask, don't try to change her plan. She may not appreciate it.

I would mention it at least once -