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.