Hi-

I'm noticing some good Memorial Day sales coming up and I was wondering if anyone has ever used a sheet for the backing of their quilt? If you HAVE, what type of thread count is needed? I would assume 300+ should suffice?

Also, thoughts on using a sheet for backing??

I do it alot, just pick one I like that is the right size, but I do not hand quilt. Some of the hand quilters say it is hard to quilt through.

I use them from time to time, tho I usually tie the quilt. I just recently started trying to SITD but not with a sheet. I know that there are some that won't use them. I can't wait to see the answers you get.

I have used sheets as backing with tying and with machine quilting (mostly x's in blocks or sewing around the blocks)
I find it works well.

I used sheets for lining on the curtains in my sun room. It was the best thing since sliced bread. I cut head to foot on most of them (top to bottom or bottom to top) I guess this kept me cutting on the grain because I was trying to get the most mileage I could out of the last sheet and laid one panel ?wonky?. It fought with me to the end but I accepted it as a victory for myself and it is happily hung up on the window.

(Do you think the 250 thread count was the reason my needle was making that 'thunk, thunk, thunk' sound?)

My mother hand quilts all of the small lap quilts that she makes for family members and she uses half of a twin flat sheet in a coordinating color :-)

She LOVES it :-)

I use 200 thread count sheets from Walmart and have hot had a problem handquilting them.

I use sheets most of the time. Thread count depends on how you're quilting. Fewer thread count works better if you are hand quilting. I use whatever I find at garage sales and thrift stores and have never had a problem quilting them with my Tin Lizzie.

I use sheets and I handquilt and I don't seem to have any problem.

I just bought 100% cotton, around 200 thread count sheets at Ikea for around $4 each. Can't beat that and the cotton fabric looks and feels pretty darn near close to LQS quality solids. I'm a fabric snob(admitted) and these sheets passed my snootie test. Can't beat the price, but I machine quilt ONLY.

Do a search for sheets on the search feature above. There have been a ton of threads about this.

I use sheets always, and for the white fabric backgrounds and such. I think the best is 200 thread count, good quality cotton. A higher thread count makes it harder, not easier. Good quilting fabric is about 70-85 thread count, to give you some comparison, so a nice crisp 200 count is the easiest to work with. And sateen is slippery, and frays more easily.

I go to Ross or TJMaxx or Marshalls, and I like Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger solids.

Usually that's a sign you're using the wrong needle for the fabric, or your needle is dull and needs replacing.

oh, but the sateens are yummy!!!

They are, and I use them, but you need to be prepared. The crisp 200 count are lovely to piece with. The back of my "gift to myself" quilt is a yellow sateen sheet, and it feels soooo soft.

I use sheets all of the time for my machine quilted quick quilts or for quilts that will see frequent washing. Often they are the 200 thread sheets and they wash and wear well. It is no problem to quilt them on the machine and it's great not to have to piece a back. I bought twenty sheets this past week for conmmunity quilts for $100 and you couldn't buy much yardage for that price as quilting fabric in Canada starts at $10 a metre unless you find a fantastic sale. If you're still not convinced, use a sheet on your next community quilt project and see what you think. I always try to buy King size sheets so I'll have extra sheeting to make matching pillowcases which are great to use with your quilt or use to store your quilt.

Great idea!!! I will borrow this one for making pillowcases and quilt bags D:D:D

Wow - this is the first time I've read comments about using sheets for backing (and piecing) and only read GOOD comments about the sheets.

I've 'heard' some say the weave is different on the sheet making it more difficult to quilt (hand or machine).

Guess you ladies disagree. I'll have to try it myself to get an opinion (but I love yours...cause I've been picking up 100% cotton sheets at resale/garage sales lately.)

Thanks for your opinions!

Shelbie, good tipI I always have extra fabric, too!

I've not used sheets before, but I've not read any reasons why I shouldn't that persuaded me NOT to. I understand the philosophy behind the thread count and hand quilting. But, since I don't have to worry about hand quilting unless someone can give me a good reason why not to use them then one of my projects will incorporate a sheet backing. I've read lots of "I've been told not to" and "it's not a good idea". But, I tend to need concrete reasons WHY before I believe it. Yeah, I'm a rebel

:thumbup:

I use sheets all the time. They are cheaper that some fabric and easy to sew through. Yard sales are great places to find a variety of colors and sizes. Go ahead and try it!!

I have used them, but not often. I machine quilt so they are not a problem for me. I just prefer fabric from my stash.

I've never used a sheet for the back but only because I don't have spare sheets! I need to start hitting the yard sales.

For over 20 years I have used sheets as backing. I love the solid colors and find it easy to match the colors of the quilt. I cannot get wide backing fabric locally. My choice is king size flat sheets.

My mom is a hand quilter and only uses sheets. She has been quilting forever and I have at least 10 of her quilts in my linen closet.

She loves to get sheets at garage sales, discount stores, etc. I do know she is very particular about the needle she used to hand quilt.

I haven't been brave enough to make a quilt large enough to need two pieces of fabric.

I have plans to use sheets as a filler and backing, I am doing Qt panel for five window curtains, each will be a different pattern, but useing some of the same fabric, I need to replace my curtain. I shall have fun doing this. Theresse

awesome ideas, thanks for sharing!