thank you for this idea. As I was reading it, I thought of the tie quilt we are "going " to make from my FIL ties, why not make the backing from a tablecloth that belonged to MIL AND FIL. I have several to choose from. I use them on my tables periodically.

I would be concern with how they would wear especially with being washed.

I have quilted one before, but it was for someone else, so I don't know how it handled washing etc. (It looked excellent when it was quilted!)

Try it and see how it turns out.

Charisma posted pictures a while ago of some quilts (or maybe just one quilt) that she had made from old table cloths. Hers were lovely.

No one ever buys these because they have to be ironed. That statement caught my eye. I wonder if they will wot=rk if they need to be ironed? Or will the back always look messy? Or will they be quilted heavily? You would almost have to be ironed to make your sandwich, but after if they are washed?????

I was reading a blog once and the lady put a beautiful vintage tablecloth right in the middle of her back. It was really pretty and I thought it was a great idea. I use all kinds of fabric for my backs, prefer sheets more than anything.

100% cotton quilt fabrics also have to be ironed, so the tablecloths are no different.

Go for it. I agree I would just check the weave of the fabric to make sure that the fabric doesn't unravel for the narrow seam allowance.

I don't think there is enough difference in the shrinking but it will depend on how densly it is quilted on how it ends up looking. Densly quilted no problem as the one fabric that doesn't shrink will tend to stabalize the other.

I use sheets often too but make sure they are durable first.

In my first quilt class the instructor told us that she used sheets for quilt backings, so unless the tablecloths are very heavy, I don't see a reason why you couldn't use them for backings. I say go for it and see how you like the results.