I don't want to hand quilt with a tightly woven sheet, but if you machine quilt, no problem. A muslin sheet can be stitched through, but I do launder it first to take any sizing out.

We used to make tied quilts using sheets for the top and bottom but had to be careful not to buy the expensive kind with the high thread count.
We are given bed sheets no longer used by a local motel for the charity quilts we make at church. Saves a lot of money and are queen and king sized. But, be careful cutting them down to size, they are not torn straight, they are cut by machine on piles of fabric. It is better to tear them and be sure they are straight. Some smell like bleach so we wash them.

Carol J.

I have bought many good condition sheet sets at yard sales for little or nothing. When I get the set, I use the flat sheet for backing and the fitted and pillow cases for quilt pieces. It is neat to use the backing (flat sheet) on a quilt that has some of the same prints (fitted sheet) in the quilt top.

Great ideas everyone. I just gave a double bed to my nephew for his new apartment. He didn't want the sheets I had for it and I don't have another double bed. I was trying to figure out what to do with the sheets. Will keep them for quilting. Most have flowers on them, the grand daughters will love them!! Brilliant!

I went to my local op shop and bought a lot of doona covers that were hardly used and I think they are great as the front is different to the back but the same colour and complimentary pattern so i will use them as quilts and find a sheet to use on the back

If you are going to have your quilt by a longarm quilter, the answer is NO. The difference in thread count is a big issue

I often use sheets for backing. I did find that you must make sure that the white 100% cotton (that has been bleached repeatedly) does not hold up well. Test its strength first.

This reminds me a of sweet story. DS 23 is getting married and told me his bride to be doesn't use top sheets. I asked him why? Her mother is also a quilter and she uses all the top sheets out of the sheet sets to make backs for quilts.
:lol: :P :D :P :lol: :lol:

What a sneaky way to get them to use a top sheet! Put it on the back of a quilt!!

I did a lot of home visiting when I worked, it surprised me how many people do not use sheets at all. Just sleep on the bare mattress-Yeww!

I read on here a while back that someone that sounded like they know what they are talking about said that the thread count of sheets is higher than regular fabric, and the threads can break easily and cause holes in the fabric later on. It makes sense. Plus when its higher thread count, its harder to get the needle through. So, I don't use sheets.

Why is it that everything I've read and been told before now was not to use sheets. Help me understand why everybody here is saying it's okay to use sheets.

You can use sheets because there are no quilt police and it is your quilt to make with whatever you want. LOL

I buy the 108-120" backing. But after reading all the messages I think I will try using sheets.

Thanks for sending off a light bulb in my head.

ef ;)

I finished a king size quilt early this summer and used a sheet for backing. I have used sheets for two other queen size quilts and they have done real well. All of these quilts have been tied ones.

WOW, I never thought of using a sheet! I am new to quilting and thought you had to purchase material, which as you all know is very expensive. I think using a sheet is absolutely fantastic and I am going to try it. Thanks, Jane

That's what I'll be using my recent Joann's coupon for - a few yards of wide backing fabric. My grandmas always used a sheet to back her quilts. The last time I bought a queen size sheet at Wal-Mart it was cheaper for me to go buy some fabric off the clearance shelf.

There are all kinds of ideas out there about using bed sheets and I have used many different type of sheets including high thread count and have had no problems with them at all. I use different types of needles on my machine and needles for hand sewing. Thin needles will go thru high thread count sheets. The other thing if you have a dull needle it makes it hard to poke the needle thru on any type of fabric. A dull needle "may damage" some threads but it won't make a hole that you have to worry about and it won't show. You can sew what you want sewing is sewing.

Why would it be such an issue?

I like flannel as quilt backs because they are cuddly and stay on the bed better.
Sharon W

I do it all the time and have never had a problem.

When I had my LA, I used sheets as backing without any problems.

I like to use sheets as well. These days I find flat sheets are hard to find on their own, as usually sets are sold. I find the flat sheet doesn't wear out nearly as quickly as the bottom sheet and the pillow slips, so the last few times I bought a sheet set, I saved the flat for a backing, and reused the old flat sheet for my bed. It doesn't always match, but so far no one is complaining. I find 300 thread count or less works best.

I use sheets all the time for my large projects. I use to go through the flea markets in Germany looking for old German sheets. They are 100% cotton and they keep them so white. I have even used their comforter covers as backing. Some are really pretty.

I use sheets for piecing and backing. I buy them at our local thrift stores for very low prices... under $4.00 for King size. One can find both cotton and flannel sheets and can often find complete sets. Definitely worth the time spent looking.

My grandma made quilts all the time.. but she lived in the desert outside of Palm Springs.. even though it can be blazing hot in the day, the desert cools down fast when the sun goes down and you still need something to cover up with. So, for light weight quilts, she always used well washed flannel for her batting. She always washed and dried it several times because flannel shrinks more than cotton.. She wanted the shrinkage all taken care of.. I'm still using those same quilts today.

Thanks for the idea. I never thought of using a sheet. I have 9 quilts cut out that I wanted to have done by Christmas but being a newbie I know I am never going to make it.

just a note flannel is made of all cotton so it does shrink a lot.

I think it is like cooking. We determine the ingredients based on the use. It is just supper for the kids, and a rework of leftovers, or is it for a dinner party? Quilts are like that. If I were to ever try to make one for competition, I would use the best materials and make my back look as good as the front, but for the grandkid's bed, a sheet works great. we all know there can be a great difference between bedding and art.

I have used sheets before anyone told me they did not use them. No problems.

I have a question. Do you have to put a batting between the top and bottom of the quilt or can I just put top & bottom together and start quilting. HELP

I have not tried it yet....my mother always used sheets for backing. The first quilt she made for me was a sheet with big flowers and stems and she hand quilted the whole thing with a sheet on the back. She spent a long time on it. It is very precious to me and it is on a quilt rack in the bedroom. She also made hand made pieced quilts with sheet as backing...she always did it all by hand (no machine)...

good to know!

I have used sheets...they r great!..

It's your quilt, it's up to you. Most quilts have batting of some kind between the top and back, but there are "summer quilts" that usually are just a top and backing. They are lightweight and don't have the puffy look of quilts made with batting. The summer qilts are nice for warm climates.

I used a quilted top for a bedspread and didn't put any batting in it, but even for a lightweight quilt, I like at least a flannel sheet as lining.

I am making a twin size quilt for my grandson. He really, really, likes "Thomas & His Friends", so I bought that fabric. I am working on the back, but I wasn't sure if I could put the back onto the front and quilt it together. I am very, very new into quilting. This will be my first one when I get it done. I am not sure if I can find "Thomas & His Friends" theme on flannel.
Thanks for all your help

What did the women use back in the 1800s? I know my grandmother made a lot of quilts, but she is gone now and I am finally getting interested in making quilts, so I can't ask her.

My grandmother used flour and feed sacks for backings back then. They were not one solid piece of fabric but were 4 to 6 sections sewn together, depending on the size of the quilt.

I have made a summer quilt with just a flannel sheet as backing and no batting. Seemed to work fine and just enough to keep me warm.

A quilt made with a top and a backing would be what we used to call a summer quilt, not necessarily for warmth but just something to cover ourselves. Nothing wrong with that if you live where it is very warm and don't need extra padding as we in the northern states prefer. But it won't be accepted in a quilt show I would suspect, as a bonafide quilt. This would be a nice way to show off a pieced quilt top and use it as a spread.
Carol J.