Quilt backs
 

I have been sorting donations to our church bazaar and have found three 80 by 60 lovely cotton tablecloths. No one ever buys these because they have to be ironed. Could I use these for quilt backs? They are in excellent condition. Also, could I use the matching napkins for quilt blocks? Thanks for letting me 'pick your brains'. Love this board.

If it's not really, really heavy, and it launders OK, then I would use it. Same for the napkins.

upcycling is good for you AND the environment! you could use it for whatever you choose, LOL. they may be a heavier type linen, which is to your advantage, as it is much stronger than the usual 100% cotton -- at least the "older" items were...matching napkins are most likely linen as well...."sounds like you hit the jackpot"

I have a few tablecloths I inherited rather than see them put in the Good Will box. It is my plan to have them quilted in a whole cloth style. I say go for it. You may find the napkins to ravel quite a bit so consider larger seam allowances and do test cutting and sewing with just one before you cut them all.

If they are too heavy, you could use them as backing without using any batting, or make tote bags out of them.

I would make sure they are colorfast too especially if they are dark...

I thought about doing this with used sheets, but I worry that the quilt front will shrink a bit because I don't prewash and the quilt back won't. Does anyone think that will be a problem?

Check the used sheets carefully. I was given about 5 recently. They looked fine, but shredded and tore so easily they could not be used.

If the fabric washes and is colorfast, I say go for it! I have used sheets as backs with great results, and have used linen and decorator fabrics in quilts. Different fabrics can add texture and interest to a quilt. I have seen some great ones will wool and corduroy too.

I have some too. As a table cloth, they need ironing. I wouldn't think so as the back of a quilt.