I like the idea of using a flannel sheet, never thought of that. I am going to try that on my next bed quilt. I think that will add more warmth.

That was an honest post. And just like everyother post people have their own ideas-what works for some, or liked by some, is personal preference. I appreciate the honesty and candor of everone who had an opinion. As a newer quilter (less than 3 years) I often have these questions running through my brain, and are too afraid to ask for fear of looking stupid. So many wonderful people on this board have said, "There are no stupid questions". I am thankful to everyone here. Your help is wonderful

I look for 100% cotton sheets at thrift stores. As someone else commented, they've been washed a zillion times and are pretty soft and you have no seams. I like the bit of savings this provides. For some reason I can spend lots for gorgeous batiks for the front, but almost all my quilts are backed with sheets or a nice quality muslin.

I have used sheets on 2 "early" quilts and it is very hard to quilt thru as not same material and as always needs to be prewashed and dried...I would not use them again.

I use them all the time for tie quilts--and prefer good USED sheets I usually get for $1 or $2--yes they ARE tough to quilt through--which is why I tie them! Usually use 100% cotton for ours, but blend for charity quilts that will be washed and washed--and dried in a dryer most likely---and use blankets in those instead of batting so they hold up for years....
No problems with pilling so far as I check the sheets carefully for thread count and quality...

I use what I have. Many of my quilts have been made from blends and never had a problem. Kije some others have said if it is going to be used and washed and washed and washed then I want it to hold up longer than cotton. I really think it is a personal preference. If I were a professional quilter making quilts for museums I would do it differently.

I have no dought that poly thread will not cut the threads. If it does cut it then it is a tention problem with your machine.

Thanks so much everyone for the info on the use of polyester thread. I had a reliable person tell me not to use polyester thread on quilt, and I have been avoiding it ever since. JoAnnes sometimes has really good sales on Gutterman polyester thread, and I have not taken advantage of the sales because of sticking to cotton thread. Thanks for debunking this.

I use what I can afford, like most others. My mom made a wedding ring quilt and used a pretty sheet for backing. The backing has held up great, but the small quilt pieces on the front are starting to come off and fray. I'm not sure if I can even fix it besides just start adding patches.

I'm not a perfect quilter either! But I love to do it.

Hope the quilt police don't get me but I use new sheets for backgrounds on top, piecing, and backing -- I think most are 100% cotton percale, 180-210 in count -- most are better quality than what I have bought on bolts -- generally the sheets are solid colors and have become part of my working inventory stash -- a few may have polyster in them, but all have worn and washed well -- the problem now is finding less than 300 count and all cotton -- two years ago I bought a king size white set from Ross, 210 count cotton, that had been made for BedBathandBeyond for less than $20 -- it will be the background for my Balt.Alb. quilt -- need to go sheet shopping again