I would use them. I have old sheets here I am planing on using. Not everyone can afford the top quilt shop fabric, when on SS and limited income, you do what you can with what you have. I even had some cotton a little thinner (give to me) than I would like and I will put light weight iron on stabilizer behind it and it was fine.

If you can't use it all, call your local quilt guild, if there is one, and gift it to them for Community quilts and doll quilts for Salvation Army at Christmas. I sometimes think I am going to live long enough to make everything I ever wanted to make. Don't think there is a way!! Those groups are always happy to take extra fabric.
Maiah

You are absolutely right Billi!

amen.................AZ Jane

Poly blends work very well for quilts. They will outlast cotton quilts.

I disagree.

I didn't take my little ones to Outback when they were little (have only been there 2x in my life, BTW)--it would have been a waste of money-- as they preferred McD's. Why spend $10-15 per kid for a meal when they were happy with $2-3 each for a Happy Meal?

I give away a lot of charity quilts each year to people here in Poland. You do not need to make them the same way and of the same materials you make for yourself or your family! I feel very strongly about this.

I hate using double knit--never liked it when I was a kid when my mom wore it (I'm 52). However, I've been given some double knit (poly) tops to finish. I did. I put them in the "charity quilt pile" as I give people a choice when they get a quilt--at least 10 to choose from. Every single one of my polyester double knit quilts has been chosen. I personally think they are awful, and don't even enjoy touching them but someone can use them and guess what? They even like them. They are warm and will last decades!

So, I strongly disagree wtih the idea that you have to use only highest quality quilt shop 100% cotton for your charity quilts (or even your own quilts). You can use what you have. The needy will be glad. Just do good quality work and the quilt will see many years of service and keep people warm!

I buy sheets at thrift stores for many of my backings, they wash wonderfully and are good and strong. I have used some poly cottons in my quilt tops and I know that many of my vintage quilts are full of them. Use them !

The heavier curtain fabric is useful for dog cushions, and you can put any scraps inside for stuffing.

I love all the Suggestions others have posted above me... How about a throw for inside your Car to use at the Beach or Heaven forbid you have to kneel on the Ground to change a tire... Great use of Fabric patchwork style for a Picnic Cloth for on the Ground or a Table... Tote Bags/or Backpack style bags of all sizes... I made small personal Totes out of upholstery sample piece fabrics... these were donated to a Women's shelter to use for their personal Grooming Supplies like hair brush, bar of Soap, toothbrush and paste and Deodorant, and Shampoo and hand lotion.. etc.. ended up about 12 inches by 16 inches with added gusset ...+ a Handle... Even some cute easy Stuffed animals that could be stuffed lightly and Donated ... if its made with Love from the Heart who could complain.... I can't afford the $$ a yard for fancy designer Quilt Fabrics either... I just saw on another site the Fabric for a Table Runner kit that would cost over $60... sorry that's out of my Budget..

That's a good point, when I was making these quilts with the poly cotton blends I set my iron on the wool setting and it worked great. The cotton setting was definitely too hot.