and I was telling her about my first quilt(She was tickled pink!), she asked how far I have gotten, and I explained that I had the top all pieced but had to wait to do the back.(I am on SSDI and fun money is short right now) she suggested I find a bed sheet that has colors I needed. Has anyone ever quilted with bed a sheet?
Merry Christmas!!
David

I do! Just be careful if you are hand quilting, one I used was a BEAR to handquilt thorough!

I use sheets all the time. I use the Walmart brand ones. They come in a lot of colors and they start at $4 for a twin and up to $13 for a king.

Many quilters use sheets for the back. Saves time in piecing the back.

The cheaper the sheet the better. Anything over 300 count is hard to quilt. I get a lot of my backings at goodwill. Wal mart, target and some other department stores are now donating to good will and you can get new stuff really cheap. I dont like lower than 200 they feel like newspaper to me. Good luck with your quilt, would love to see it when your finished!

Sheets are wonderful backs for quilts. I've used cotton, cotton/poly and flannel. All work well and there is no problem machine quilting them and they wear well. I stock up on patterned sheets when they are on sale and buy King sized ones so I will have extra fabric to make a matching pillow case. I usually can find them for $5-10 and the patterned ones hide less than perfect quilting. My son was with me the last time I bought 10 sheets and his comment was "Mom, how many mis-matched sheets does one family need?"

I've used sheets several time to avoid having to piece a back.
I agree with CarrieAnne - a beast to hand quilt; fine by machine.

hey, i started out using sheets. so go for it!

More amazing advice from wonderful people.

I've always used sheets. I grab one whenever I see them in yard sales, thrift shops, church sales, etc. I have several of them and use them in quilts, pieces and backing. They last forever, or untill the rest of the quilt wears out.
Most of the old ones I've seen were tied, and even old they are still going strong.

I have used sheets on 3 quilts and regular cotton on a couple others. The one thing I have noticed about using sheets is I don't get any puckers but I do when I use 100% cotton fabric. What's up with that?

I use sheets all the time, sometimes get them at thrift stores or yard sales, if they're in good condition.

Hi David - if you use a new one, wash it first to remove sizing.

Oh, sure!!! I've found some really pretty ones for $2.00 for twin on up to $5.00 for queen at thrift shops!!!! Be sure to price out the sheets compared to fabric if you're thinking new ones. I've found fabric cheaper than sheets!!!! Go for it!

I have used sheets as well. Apperently those quilts are still standing too:>)

I shop the goodie stores for sheets! try for all cotton if I can, king size for extra fabric. (goodie store =2nd hand stores) 8-)

I've known several people to use sheets as there backing, why not?? I definitely would think you would want to wash first but finding at garage sales, Salvation Army or Goodwill stores in good condition would be ideal!!

I've used sheets, also. Then I read that you shouldn't because they are tightly woven and the needle pushes through the threads which weakens them. That's when I started using muslin--which can be very affordable when on sale. Then I got mom's stash, which included sheets for backing. Guess, what? I'm using them. It occurred to me that some of the oldest quilts I have are backed with sheets! Goofy me! Why I didn't make the connection before I just can't figure.

Haven't treid using sheet but will with my next one - thanks everyone for the ideas

My grandmother use to make most of her quilts with old sheets as the backing ...I always thought that it felt like I was getting into bed every time I covered up with her old quilts..Blessings

My very first blue ribbon winner was made with a sheet for the top (whole cloth with channel trapunto) and a sheet for the back. All done by hand back in the mid '70s. Small needle and waxed thread, no problem. Cheap too!

Yes, I bought a set of flannel sheets. Will use the top sheet for backing. Giftee gets to make their bed with fitted sheet and pillow cases to coordinate with the backing of their new quilt. Good luck.

When I first got my gambill quilting machine,I call her Minnie after my Grandmother I practice on sheets to prefect my quilting design . Worked great the quilts are still being used. They wah up great. That was over 20yrs ago. Have fun quilting

I guess I'm going to try using a sheet. I've never done that but I've thought about it so I'm glad you asked, David :)

It would save money on extra fabric for the backing. The only thing I was wondering about is, I read (I think on here somewhere) that longarmers don't like to quilt with sheets as backing. Longarmers...correct me if I'm wrong.

I just started using sheets. Saves on budget and piecing. I love it.

I was under the impression that sheets would wear out quicker due to the way they are stitched. Sounds like you Fellow quilters have found otherwise, I think I'm going to give it a try, would definitely save money, I usually make large quilts needing 5-6 yards for backing and having to piece it. One king size sheet done, yippee!

Update! Went to SA and got 2 king size sheets, marked as $1.99 ea, but marked with white tag which is 50% off!! I love that place!
David

I use them all the time too. I especially like to use flannel sheets for the back and then give the pillow case and fitted to use along with the quilt.

You shouldn't have any problem using a machine to quilt :D:D:D

There is no problem w/longarm's quilting sheets. I have used them for many years as backing & as Log Cabin Lady said the fitted & pillow case make a really nice gift to match,or just use the flat sheet as a back. As I said early I have used them for 20+ yrs on my longarm.

Well now I have to go shopping at goodwill for sheets. Good idea ladies, esp for flannel ones. Need to make sure there are no stains on the used ones for sure.

I know thi sounds odd, but you want a cheap sheet. What makes them expensive is the high thread count and also what makes them hard to quilt through. If yu get a high thread count, plan on changing your needle half way through. A less expensive one will have a lower thread cound and be easier to quilt by hand or machine. I haave had very good luck when I have done it. -- no seaming either.

I also use sheets for backing. I shop at the Goodwill near me and find nice ones. I usually look only for cotton. Occasionally I buy from Walmart if I need a particular color in a hurry. Besides, DH will shop with me at Walmart, but not GW. He says the store smells funny and makes sure anything from GW hits the washer first!

I too am on SSDI so I know of which you speak. Wanna see my collection of sheets for backings and OBWs? This is just part of my stash; all from thrift stores for between $1.00 to 3.00.

Walmart brand sheets are great to work with. :D

David are you quilting by hand or did you get a machine. Just curious! Gerbie

I have used sheets, but I try to avoid them as the thread count is so much higher than quilting cotton, the needle punches a hole in the fabric.

Many of you wonderful quilters have used sheets for a backing. Please, do not use a good one with over 300 thread count. My machine and myself made it through the quilting process but it was a lesson learned. Of course, you do not want a sheet that is too thin either. Good luck, God bless all of you and, of course, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Quilting Joan

Thank you for asking this question David! Has helped me too!

I have never used sheets and have been told the above in the past, now I'm curious, anyone know the thread count of our usual cotton fabric?, now that I think of it, it's usually much softer than the less expensive sheets, just curious.