I buy bed skirts from the thrift store and use the top part for my foundation squares. That fabric is really thin. QUOTE=Wildernessties;8037078]A couple years back I made a small scrappy quilt for my newest granddaughter using this method. I cut out some 8 inch squares from old bed sheets. Then I stitched the diagonal strips onto the square. I should clarify that I cut the actually sheet squares slightly larger than the 8 inches and then After I had stitched all the scraps on the square, I used my 8 inch template to be sure the square was as close to 8 inches as I could get it.

I was happy with the outcome so now I want to make a queen size quilt using this same method. I mentioned it to a quilter and I got the feeling she didn't care for my method. So my question to you is, do you think this will work ok for a larger quilt or is it possible it will be too heavy? Or is there another problem I'm not seeing with this method. I'd really appreciate any thoughts on the subject. I am going to attach a picture of the baby quilt so you will better understand what I'm trying to say. Thank you!![ATTACH=CONFIG]592524[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]

Some professional LA quilters are really down on using sheets for anything (piecing backing or foundation). But in your situation her concerns are unfounded as the sheet is buried inside the quilt and besides, tons of people use bed sheets for quilting, not just for foundation (IMHO, an excellent use of threadbare sheets that aren't good for much else!). It should have no effect on how she quilts it. I suspect if you only got a vibe about her not liking the method, it may be because of the sheet. I wouldn't be concerned about it unless you want to specifically use her for doing your quilting. But there are so many LAQ out there you can easily find one that doesn't have an issue with it. I see no reason you can't use a sheet or any of the other wonderful recommendations here for your foundation.

Wow!! As always, you ladies are amazing. I sincerely appreciate all the comments and suggestions. I had been concerned because this acquaintance came back with, “you’re stitching them to another piece of fabric?” I don’t know her well enough to question her as I know she is a great quilter. You all have confirmed that this way is just fine and will work perfectly. I also appreciate the suggestions on the batting and I will keep them in mind when I reach that point.

Thank you, too, for the compliments on my baby quilt. I had wanted something that was not just for a baby. I figured this design is something she could always use as a lap quilt, no matter what her age.

i didn’t mention it but I already have quite a few of these squares done. However, the more I made the more I wondered if I was doing the right thing so I knew right where to go for the answer. I don’t make any fancy quilts like many of you but I do like to make my plain quilts and now I’m excited to proceed with this one. Thank you all VERY, VERY much!!!

Yesterday Jenny Doan - Missouri did a live video making a string quilt on 10” squares of paper - like paper piecing you remove the paper - after trimming you have perfectly square blocks. Might be the way to go for a large quilt. If you don’t want to buy the papers you could cut your own.

I plan on doing just this to make a summer quilt for my bed. No batting.

I've done a larger quilt using paper for the back - I think it took me longer to get rid of the paper than to sew the blocks. I would use light fabric if i did it again.

I have also used lightweight muslin (washed) for the foundation and since we live in Maine, it’s okay that it has a little extra in the quilt...it’s not that noticeable.

This is the way I was taught to do it in my quilting class years ago.

I'm a big fan of using bed skirt tops also, however, if I don't have it, I will use old sheets. I also cut up and use cotton sheets in piecing my tops if they are in good shape!

I have used this same method. I think it's a great use of old sheets.