I made a comforter like that once, to match my sheets on my bed. I used that thing almost daily for over 20 years! Now that is lasting quality.

And does anyone know if "www.quiltville.com" will pay for everyone to use the best? If so, add me to their list.

Now I really do like the sheets. I have never hand quilted and have just done a couple pieces on my Little Gracie II (used sheets), otherwise I have tied them. Now that Christmas is over my intention is to do some small quilts or table runners and learn to do quilting by machine, then I would use regular fabric, and who knows maybe I will like the actual cotton better then. It is so nice not to have to make a back or decide how much fabric to buy, just cut the sheet the right size when you lay it out.

To me, the "best" is anything that works well and looks good in the end.

Sheets work just fine when machine quilting. And, if you get a sheet with a loose weave, they're just fine when hand quilting, too. Just make sure you wash it first to pre-shrink and soften the fabric.

If you aren't sure whether a particular sheet will give you problems when hand quilting - and assuming it's dirt cheap - buy it and do a test using the part you'd have to tear of anyway. If it's too hard to quilt through, put it aside for your next machine project.

I've learned so much from this forum. It's becoming more obvious by the day that the old rules don't necessarily apply anymore. Considering the price of fabric these days, I'm really glad about that. LOL

:-)

Patrice, your post sparked an idea. Why not carry a needle and thread in your purse so you can test the sheet on the spot. Carry it in a pill bottle that can be easily located among the items we carry.(I hesitated to call it clutter, but then I would be speaking of my own purse.)

Now, are you speaking of new sheets, or used ones? I have found some really good buys at thrift store. Goodwill has gotten higher in price, spending $8. for a Queen flat is outrageous when others charge $2. I do not live close to a Salvation Army, but some of the AMVETS thrifts are very reasonable.

Again, "machine sewing" is a key...as well as "thrift" for quilts being given to charitie, and especially the homeless. They will be given a real test as they will probably not see a washing machine....unless someone offers to do them free.

I was wondering - less than one hour ago - whether I might be able to find affordable, useful Full - to - King sheets at a thrift store. We have two in addition to the Good Will.

Your idea is interesting ... you'd have to carry needle, thread, a patch of "top" and a patch of batting. And hope the sales staff doesn't run you out of the store if they don't understand what you're up to. LOL

And I agree. GW has gotten outrageous in price and awful in quality. They don't fix anything anymore before putting on the shelves to sell. The pre-sale repairs used to be part of their job training program. I give all my donatables to either my synagogue for the semi-annual "yard sale", to a local church that gives it all away free, or to the local women's shelter who also give away for free.

I guess I'll be stopping at the thrifts on my way home from work today. LOL

I can't imagine anyone would mind....that is, in a thrift store...that you would do a test on the sheet before you buy it. Actually I find the employees there don't care about a whole lot...just get the job done.

Now for me, I would not have gone to the trouble of taking the extra pieces (bat and top samples) but it does make good sense. I thought perhaps the sheet could be doubled several times to see how many thinkness would be easily penetrated with the needle and thread. Can you tell I do not do hand quilting? Sorry for the negligence.

About GW ficxing things???? I know they are supposed to provide work for handicapped people, but I have been under the impression for some time that it is "as is" sales.

Now you can GO SHOPING. Have fun

June

wHEN i HAND QUILT ED i TRIED A SHEET BUT IT TO HARD ON THE NANDS i HAVE NOT TRIED IT ON THE MICHEN BUT i THINK i WELL YOU ALL GAVE ME A IDEAlol ANYTHING TO SAVE i ON SS Neva

In response to your remarks about working on an old quilt, I would say I would love to make and have one, but I know I won't beause I cannot do the needlework by hand. However, I did find this as an easy version and it is in my mind as an eventual project. What do you think?

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/golden/mg32_pattern/

Here is another NEW group...just in its 3rd day and getting to know new members. It came out of the WWQP Bulletin Board. They moved to a Blog and some did not like the format. This is similar to the old.
http://home.comcast.net/~bjmoo/quilters/newdayquilters.htm

I have joined a number of groups to see what I really like. I don't want to spend a lot of time searching for posts, so this one is really easy. Someone sent me a link to About.com and it is as bad as some others. I have jsut dropped 2. I need to have time to sew...not sit in front of the computer.

I hope you have a good day at work...and I suspect you have already gone. Not sure of your location. Mine is in SW Ohio on the Ohio River.
June

HERE IS MY "DO" LIST

.1) .wash and wash (IF NEW) to get them softened.

.2) remove the stitching from the hems and steam them out. (good reason for buying larger sheets. You can cut trim at the stitching line)

.3) .check the measurements to determine if this will fit the quilt you ae planning. I find that Queen and King are preferrable inmany ways.

.4) used sheets are often nearly new. Check for 3 corner tears.

Overall...sheets someone else has washed will save you time, water and energy to dry them. Cheaper sheets could be coarse and not easy to hand quilt.

Lots of considerations, but worth thnking about.

Here, our Salvation Army won't take anything unless it is in good condition and they charge outrageous prices for it. I have worked in subsidized housing so I do know that they will help people with their rent and utilities. Rarely will I buy anything from them anymore. It really does irritate me that it is becoming a place for the "upper" middle class to shop, not the needy.