A longarm quilter won't like them. Right Shelley? :thumbup:

Personally I have used sheets as backing as well. It's everyones personal preference. No quilt police as I have read many times; so just DO it!

I use (almost always) sheets for backing. I longarm quilt on a Tin Lizzie and have never had a problem, even with high thread count sheets. I put a new needle in my machine often. I use a sheet that is big enought to tear off all sides to square the sheet before I start. I have also heard that professional longarm quilters don't like sheets for backing, I don't know why.

From what I have read the tight weave of the sheets causes the needle to pierce the fabric whereas the looser weave of quilting fabric allows the needle to separate the threads and not make a hole. It is harder to hand quilt using a sheet as a backing tho.

i think that when a longarmer is quilting for someone else, she uses what she's given. personally, i find that the high thread counts get pierced and the sheet threads are torn instead of the needle slipping between them. those holes are a good place for wear to start. next time you look at really good sheets, take a look at the sewn hemmed edges. if the sheet is a color, you can see where the needle holes have been left. on the edge of the sheet is doesn't matter, but on the whole surface of a quilt, i wouldn't do it. but if you look at a high count of very soft cotton, say egyptian, you won't see it. a looser weave allows a space for the needle to slide through without causing damage to the fabric. i grew up with 120 count -they were called muslin sheets-and they worked fine. i would definitely use those.

I am making an OH State quilt for grand son. I used the grey and black sheets in the top and also around the edges.
Then I will give him a set of the grey sheets for his bed.

My long arm quilter does not like them and has told me not to use a sheet...I never asked her why...I will the next time I am in her quilt shop. Makes me wonder though.
D in TX

I use sheets for backing and piecing and have machine and hand quilted them. I found quilting with my machine I had to use a denim needle- I think it was a 90/14. I was getting missed stitches, but after I switched needles I had no problems.

I use mostly vintage (thrift store) sheets, and try to use like fabric with like, such as 100% cotton with 100% cotton, etc. I also don't use the really high thread counts- the needle makes little "puck" noises when it goes through, so I think it is probably tearing threads.

In my mind, fabric is fabric. I cut up old clothes, too!

I've been advised not use sheets because they are difficult because of the thread count.

Correction: They are difficult to quilt because of the thread count.