I use sheets for backing, blends do great.

I am glad this question has been addressed. I have had mostly negative reports on using sheets for backing but from what you ladies have written there seems to be more positive results. Mostly fromwhat i read is its not good for the long arm quilting people to put them on their frames. I do most of my own on my sewing machine so I will plan to use some now. Thanks for all the useful info.

I haven't personally used a sheet for backing, but my quilting buddy does it all the time and has had no problems at all. She hits the Goodwill near her home and buys high quality sheets for a few dollars. The trick to using a sheet is the same as buying fabrics, don't buy anything that looks or feels cheap.

ps - 100% cotton will pill just as bad as a blend. Trust me, I threw away 800 count Egyptian Cotton sheets after three washings because they had pilling, or as I like to call them - dingle-berries.

I have had the walmart Mainstay sheets on my bed for years with no piling! That is why I use them for quilt backs.

barb do you use e regular sewing machine or do you have a quilting machine

I use my Janome reg machine to Free Motion. Why do you ask?

I have seen some long arm quilters (post on their websites) that they will not quilt if bed sheets were used as a backing. I'm not sure why - but I have seen it several times.

Not a problem for me I either hand quilt or stitch in (near) the ditch!

From what I gather they have a hard time putting it on t he frame. I don't know what causes this but that is what I have read and heard.

Well their are other ways to quilt quilts if they are not willing!