I've seen it mentioned not to use bed sheets higher than 200 count because they are so hard to hand stitch with....
What is the thread count of a good quality quilting fabric?
Are higher count sheets ok for machine sewing?

Carol B

I like the higher count sheets for backing, but I machine quilt. The sateen sheets are lusterous.

I have machine sewn bedsheets for many things and it was never a problem, even higher counts.
I don't know the answer to the second question, but would love to know what it is :D:D:D

Interesting thread. I would like to know too.

Here's a couple of sites to check out. They explain it better than me. 8-)

http://www.todaysmodernwoman.com/New...ticle13779.htm

http://quiltbug.com/articles/choosing-fabric.htm

What I read somewhere was not to use the sheets because they have a higher thread count which means it has a tighter weave. Supposedly this makes the needle pierce the fabric, which leaves holes, instead of separating the fibers. If this is true, you should be able to use a needle for knit fabrics to solve this problem. My grandmother was a quilter and always used sheets. I realize in their day and age they were thrifty, but it worked just fine. So I guess it's just a matter personal preference. I'm sure it's the quilt shops that say you cannot use sheets, because they want you to buy their fabric.

interesting, thanks everyone for all of the comments and links, we learn from each other

let's be fair to the poor quilt shops. :lol:

i'm constantly surprised by the aversion to sheets. i've "decided" it must be that most affordable sheets are either polyester or a cotton/poly blend. and we have all witnessed the constant bickering over whether poly should be allowed anywhere near a quilt. :roll: :lol:

sheets are fine for machine quilting. I hand-quilted with a sheet back years ago. It was harder than quilting fabric back, but quite doable. I washed the sheet repeatedly to soften before using it.

Sheets that are listed as 2 ply or 4 ply will not last as long or be as soft as one ply sheets. For quality, buy the lesser thread count sheet of one ply then the higher thread count sheet of 2 or 4 ply. 250 thread count one ply is the same as 1000 thread count 4 ply or 500 count 2 ply. It's a marketing trick to get people to buy the higher thread count for much more money.