Sheets for backing?
 

I made this quilt on a whim recently. Saw something similar somewhere and thought "I can do that!" I used some material I had that was used for bedroom curtains in our previous house (actually took apart an accent pillow that I had tucked away to squeak in just enough fabric!). Not sure what I'll do with this one, but sometimes I just like to try things to see if I can do it. I found some blue sheets at a thrift store that looked like they'd be perfect for the back on this heart quilt. Turns out they are the same color blue as the LQS fabric I was going to use. Have you ever used sheets for backing material? With the prices of fabric these days, I find myself really looking for bargains.

Long arm quilters often discourage the use of sheets because the tight cotton weave can throw their tension out of whack...I honestly have never tried on my domestic but I know people do. Probably the worst that will happen is you'll go through a lot of needles. :)

Gorgeous fabrics! I can see why you want that sheet, it's perfect!

Beautiful! I have never used a sheet, but others have said it works fine.

Ah! Thanks pumpkinpatch, just the info. I was looking for. I have a HQ16, so I think I may try it for this small one. At least I will only cause myself grief. Part of my plan for quilting this one is to use very white thread in the middle around the heart so the off-white matches the tone-on-tone print a little more. I would have liked those two fabrics to be the same, but was using stash and didn't have enough of either for both areas. I didn't use a pattern, just winged it as I went, which is fairly new to me.

I have used many sheets, but I quilt on my domestic sewing machine. On this board I have heard that you should ask your LA-er if she will quilt with sheet backing. Since you're doing it yourself - quilt away! Since our quilting sisters of long ago used whatever they could find it would be the machine quilting at issue rather than the integrity of the finished quilt. Your heart is wonderful!

My first quilt was a mix of cotton prints and poly cotton sheets as the solids with a sheet for the back. After piecing it and before quilting , I read that this could be a problem since the cottons and blends would shrink differently. I finally bit the bullet and quilted it on my DSM. It has worn and washed beautifully. Been on my bed for a year now, and I sleep with my dogs. I say go for it.

Beautiful quilt and the sheet looks great....let us know how you get on...I have used sheets with success, but not ones with a very high thread count.

I used a sheet for the backing on my first quilt, quilted it with my DSM. I had no problems at all and the quilt is in regular use :) I say just go for it.

I use them all the time. If its over 250 thread count you might need to change needle size.

Agree with Tartan. It is harder to handquilt --using a sheet. But, I have used them for piecing and get a long O.K.

i have used sheet, but, like the op's, feel that the weave is too dense. so i only do it for my DSM, not on my frame. love your quilt.

I use them whenever I get the opportunity - that is, whenever I happen to find one that looks good with the top. It saves piecing the back, and the leftovers are nice long pieces great for binding.

Count me as another one that's used sheets as backing. Because the sheet wasn't "new", they were softer, therefore easier for quilting. Haven't handquilted with a sheet backing.. yet. Only on machine and it worked out just fine. Like someone else said, our Grandmothers used whatever they had. Look at how long some of those quilts have lasted.

Love your quilt. It's really nice!

I use sheets all the time, all cotton, cotton/poly and flannel with great results. I make scrap quilts and they often contain older fabric and I can't justify spending $15 a metre (at most LQS in Canada) to purchase fabric for backing. My quilts are practically all given away and expensive backing fabrics would make this impossible. I have had absolutely no trouble machine quilting through sheets on my Janome 6500, 201 Singer or Husqvarna Viking#1 Plus. I buy the largest sheets that I can find when they are on sale. I often buy seconds at the Lens Mills stores or Sears or Giant Tiger and they are usually less than $10. My guild also uses sheets for the backing on our Community Quilts. The only problem that I've ever had with my sheet backings was one sheet (probably had a higher poly content) pilled after frequent repeated washings. By that point the rest of the quilt wasn't in good shape either. If I have a King sized sheet for backing a smaller quilt, I make a matching pillowcase from the left overs. Sheets definitely work for me and I don't care what the quilt police say on this one!

I use sheets all the time....I heard all the reasons not to but decided to try anyhow...I have an 18" Innova on a frame and she (Abby) sews them just fine, they wash and do up beautifully and best of all...no piecing, plus they are a great bargain when I find them at the thrift store!!

I've used sheets a number of times, both for backing and for background for appliques. Quilted on DSM with no problems. I've noticed no problems with wear either. Right now I'm using pieces from an old cotton sheet as foundation for a scrappy diagonal block. I'll use pieces from another old cotton sheet as backing for this quilt.

Been there done that no problems here. Your quilt is beautiful! Have fun.
Penny

I have used sheets a few times and never had problems.

While cleaning out the house at my Aunt's, I found several King size flat sheets. They had a King size water bed. I have used 2 of them so far on donation quilts. One was a solid blue the other was a funky blue/green print from the 70's that worked perfect with the bright funky top.
No problem with the tension, and these sheets were super soft from many washings.

As long as the sheet is a low thread count and cotton it will work even for handquilting. It sure saves a lot of time on seaming etc.

Me too on DSM and no problem..love the weight and feel In fact I used white and then dyed them to match top...some came out looking like tie dye and I loved the look

Have used sheets for backing on my longarm, no problems.

My mother, grandmother and great grandmothers all use(d) sheets for backing. I have only done 5 quilts, but have used sheets on 3 and fleece on two...but I hand quilt using a lap frame. We try to use 300tct to 400tct, Mom says anything higher is TUFF on the fingers. 300tct does not pill, feels nice on the skin and launders really well.

Walmart has great economy priced sheets in great colors and some have come from the thrift shops...lots of Martha Stewart flat sheets and Better Homes and Gardens.

I've use them also with no problem on my DSM.
I just make sure they are low thread count. I usually get them at a Goodwill type store and pick the softest.
They work great

I use sheets most of the time. I quilt my own quilts (I have a hobby quilting frame) . I have never had a problem. I like your colors. Sometimes you can match a quilt back a lot easier with sheets.

I use sheets a lot, especially for charity quilts as they launder so well, have had no problems at all.

Thanks for all the replies and compliments. I will forge ahead with this sheet and quilt on my HQ16. Will post pics when completed.

I'm a new quilter, but all I've ever used are sheets for the backing. I took the first quilt to the quilt shop to be longarmed, and they told me no problem in using sheets up to 50/50 cotton/poly. I buy most of mine from thrift stores for $1-3. each depending on size. Can't beat the price.

My long arm quilter told me sheets are fine if you wash the sizing out first.

Yes, I use sheets for quilt backings! They turn out very well. I machine quilt on a frame, and have no difficulty atr all. Go for it!

I use sheets all the time, just make sure that the thread count is not over 300 or so. I find the older cotton ones in the Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers and yard sales. Take them home, wash and dry them up, ready for use. I do quilt on an HQ16 and never had any trouble. Sheets are hard to hand quilt through.

we have been told that sheets are not good to use for backs because they are not made (woven) the same way. That when you sew a sheet the needle can break the threads and that will weaken you fabric and not holdup well, in years to come.

I've used sheets, cheap ones, and they are just fine for machine and LA. The really good ones are no bargain and I imagine the weave is too tight.

I wonder how long the sheets would last...I buy expensive sheets for my bed and have tried many brands...I find they wear quickly. I normally buy a few sets once a year.

I've used sheets as backing quite often with no problem, but I finish my quilts by hand-quilting them. That may be why I don't have a problem with using the sheets.

I have used sheets for the back and the middle for years. they are some of the warmest quilts I have. your quilt is beautiful too

I have used sheets for machine quilting and hand quilting. Never had a problem!

I use sheets for backing all the time. I hand quilt and have always gotten my flat sheets at Savers and Goodwill. Never had a problem with them at all.