Please, please don't take this wrong...This by all means is nothing against those of you who use sheets for backing. This is just curiosity on my part. I've seen numerous posts on here saying you've used sheets for backing fabric. I understand the financial point of using sheets, but...Are these sheets 100% cotton? Are they of the same quality as quilting cotton? Are they woven the same as quilting cotton? I have 100% cotton Walmart sheets on my bed that are way higher thread count than my quilting cottons. After many washings, the sheets still aren't as soft/pliable as my fabrics. All of the time I spend planning, purchasing, cutting, piecing my quilt, I would never consider using sheets for backing fabric. I guess I'm just funny that way. I use 100% cotton fabric (no poly/cotton), 100% cotton thread (no cotton covered polyester) and Warm and Natural batting, for the following reasons: 1) Poly/cotton fabric doesn't get as soft as cotton, no matter how much it's laundered. 2) Using polyester thread when piecing/quilting cotton, the polyester filaments act like a knife and will cut cotton fibers...not something I want after everything that's gone into making a quilt to be loved/used. 3) I've found that poly batting beards more quickly than cotton. Plus, I like the "drapiness" of quilts made with cotton batting. Okay...I'll get down off my soapbox now (LOL) and look forward to hearing all your feedback. Have a great day! :-D

The sheets I use for backing are 100 percent cotton, and I actually PREFER used ones to new. The older ones have been washed many times, any color loss has already occurred, any shrinkage has already happened, and now I can cut and sew it to my satisfaction. To me, the older ones are better made and seem thicker than most of the new ones, with the possible exception of some of the higher priced ones, and at least one of those I'v felt didn't seem that a high quality for the big bucks.

I use poly mainly for its long lasting quality, but for a very fine one, just don't know. Never made one that might be show quality, only for kids and friends and myself.

I purchase 100% cotton sheets 200 count for backings.
I have been using them on quilts I'm giving away, graduation and such.
I havent' used them on my personal quilts, only because I usually have something in mind for them.

I use what I have or can afford. Some of the quilts I have made using poly blends have been the nicest and most loved quilts. Since baby and childrens (even grown children) quilts are loved and washed to death it dosent make sense to use the weaker 100% cotton for those. Some of my quilts have won ribbons in the county fair and thats good enough for me.

I used sheets once, did not like the result, would not do it again. They way I figure it, the cost of backing is about the same as buying good sheets, and I get a better selection.

This is a myth and totally not true. So please do not continue to perpetuate this old wives tale.

From Superior threads:

Will polyester thread really tear the fabric in my quilt?

Thread will not tear through a fabric solely due to its fiber content. If a thread ever tears through a fabric, it is because it won the strength contest. In a battle of heavy use and high stress placed on a quilt, the strongest component will always win. It is not accurate to say that a polyester thread is stronger than cotton. I have a spool of thread on my desk labeled 100% cotton quilting thread. It is a very well known brand, widely available, and is one of the top selling machine quilting and piecing threads. It is twice as strong as a comparable polyester thread. Although it isn't labeled as such, it is coated with a glaze which strengthens the cotton fibers and makes the thread rather wiry. In a strength test, it beats a comparable size poly, rayon, and metallic every time. In a heavily used quilt, this stiff, wiry cotton thread could do more damage than a soft polyester thread. And it is 100% cotton.

The point is this: The traditions, myths, and rumors that polyester thread will tear the quilt are not true

Source: http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...dition-or-myth

Many years ago I hand-quilted a quilt with a sheet as the backing. I'm sure it was a higher thread count than the cotton fabric, and it was miserable to quilt. Then a friend and I went together to work on a quilt for a mutual friend, and she bought a sheet to use as the backing. I washed it three times (probably not enough times!), and when I tried to use it on my longarm, it caused nothing but trouble with tension. I've found that using wide backing is much better - my machine likes it, and so do I. I'm happy for those who have used sheets and like them - it's just not something that works for me.

Amen and thank you for clarifying and sharing this information.

I have used sheets (from thrift store) king size if I can find them. No, I do not always use 100% cotton fabric nor thread. I have made quilts out of everything, from flannal to polyester and never had any problems. I have used clothing from deceased persons for the family. The sheets that I use are "good" used ones that I know have been washed many times. I believe in using what you have like the folks did many years ago. Maybe my quilts are not the "professional" kind, but the people I've given them to love them. In fact, both DWR quilts were made out of sheets (front and back) and my girls love them. I also only use low-loft polyester batting in them. They are light but warm. I have not had any problems machine quilting or hand quilting that batting. This is just my way of doing things and to each his own ideas. I have pictures of a lot of my quilts on this board if you would like to see them. Happy quilting....Mary

I guess my quilts are not good enough to justify lots of money on the backing . I make mostly scrap quilts . I buy my USED sheets at various places and am pleased. I guess I really don't care if they last forever. Now IF I ever get good enought to make really nice quilts I would spend the extra cash on the backing :)

I have used sheets on two quilts and they still hold up strong. I made them for my boys who dont use top sheets on their beds. So I am keeping them warm and not using any extra money.

I use both cotton and flannel sheets on the backs of my machine quilted quilts all the time with absolutely no problems. I think it's strictly a matter of preference and end use. My quilts are made to be used and sometimes dragged off to camp, sleep-overs or college. The sheet backings stand up to repeated washings and I don't have so many $ invested that I cringe when I see how wet and muddy my son's quilt is after his camp-out on the May 24 weekend. On the polyester thread note, we had the Superior thread educator for all of Canada at our guild meeting last night and there is absolutely NO REASON not to use it in our quilts. Use thread your machine likes and CHANGE your needle every 8 hours or with every project.

As quilters we need to use the fabrics and threads we have to create warm wonderful quilts and not worry so much about what's on the back of our quilts. As my daughter often reminds me "Mom the baby won't care".

At least you are consistent. i was wondering the other day about why so many seem to use cotton/poly sheets when it seems like so many also will only use 100% cotton in the quilt itself.

I am not a purist, so I don't mind using poly/cotton, esp. on my charity quilts to the poor. I figure if the quilt is used for 2-3 years, then that is good....so a poly/cotton sheet (used) is fine.

But I also had some of the same thoughts about why people will spend all this time on the front and then use whatever on the back.

Since I use "whatever I have" on the front as well, I do scrappy backs... :)

Someone posted recently that they did have a quilt that tore at the seams that had been sewn with poly thread. I just prefer cotton so that's what I use. I've never bought poly other than when I sewed clothes and used coats cotton wrapped poly.

I've been using sheets as well, even though I've just started, I havent had any issue with them. And since I'm learning why not save the money since there so many mistakes any way! LOL

I have used cotton sheets and have had no problems with them.

They are more difficult to quilt through, and they will PILL if not good quality!

Sheets are fine for the back and many are of better quality than the fabric used for the top! Just as all 100 percent cotton quilting fabric is not the same ( lots of discussion here on that subject) neither are all cotton sheets. Yes a high count sheet will be difficult to hand quilt, and if you make a mistake quilting it there can be holes from the needle. So buying a 200 thread count to 150 thread count cotton sheet is comparable to cotton quilt fabric.
As for the poly thread , it is a myth. enough said on that subject.
As for bearding from a poly batting, it depends on the quality of the scrim. A high quality poly batting can perform well. It is the quilters choice for the desired outcome ,warmth, draping, hand vs machine quilting, many variables come to play in selecting the batting for a quilt.
There are many individual choices and circumstances that are enveloped in the final quilt, each should be a treasure and free of judgement.

Very well put Lori S, I felt a little judged by the poster

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

Since I hand quilt, and I love the beautiful backing fabric, that is all I use....That way it can be flipped for a different look. Just my personal preference..... :roll:

i use sheets ALL the time, the cost for that sheet is much more affordable for me then also buying more backing fabric. i try to choose higher thread count fabric that will not pill i generally find this at walmart. I agree with the 1 statement made above my quilts r not of high quality, i do it for fun, creativity outlet, gifts, im not the best far from it. if someone wanted me to make them 1 & if they wanted professinal results they shouldnt look to me in the 1st place. as i do understand what ur saying. there r several reasons ppl quilt & several reasons for which 1 chooses the fabrics they do, final cost is a good factor. it is each of our creations & whatever 1 chooses to finish or start a quilt is up to them & in now way makes them a better or worse seamtress. quilting to me is about creativity & outlet & like any other medium 1 should not be told thier is a right & wrong way to create. HOWEVER with that being said: If 1 is selling at perfection market prices then the purchaser should be getting ALL they are paying for which would require supirior start products. i use sheets a good bit of the time & have never been dissapointed with the results. i have used fabric, the piecing & cost has left me bewildered. blessings

I use sheets & I hand quilt. I have had no problems with them. If they are new I wash & hang outside to dry ( no dryer). I have made with flannel backing, but the person that wanted the quilt bought all fabrics needed ( T-shirt quilt ).
Basically I use what I have. ;-)

The last couple of quilts I've done I've used wide backing. But that is just because I found really good quality for 3.00 a yard. Before that I used 250 ct cotton sheets with no problems.

My belief is use what you have or can afford..No one should think little of anyone because they like to use sheets...My grandmother never had the option of going to a store to buy specific fabrics for a quilt..She always used what she had or what someone gave her...

I personally don't use sheet material because the thread count is too tight for me. When I do crazy quilting the only machine work is the laying of pieces onto foundation, after that, it's all hand work. Sometimes the needle just doesn't want to go through the tight thread count of sheets...so I gave that up years ago...now I only use muslin or linen.

Check out superiorthreads.com and look at their education tab...your t-shirts that have much harder wear and are laundered much more than any quilt are sewn with polyester thread.

I use poly and cotton-wrapped poly to quilt my quilts, as well as 100% cotton, depending on the colors I want to use. Usually piece with 100% cotton just because it's what I have.

If you are ever feeling rich, use silk or bamboo batting...ooohhh so nice. Makes W&N cotton feel so harsh!

I'm a little bit ecletic on what I use. If it fits the use I have for it, then I use it. When my FIL passed away, I acquired a lot of old new and used sheets. I do not have to worrry for awhile.

I really believe this is one of those topics that did not need to be. If you do not want to use sheets, then do not. But do not make those that do seem like idots or lessor quilters. If you want all cotton, then fine. Many do not. I use sheets for backing and also for plain fabric in the quilt. Works fine, have had no problem.

I have to agree with this as I attended Bob Purcell's presentation and learned a lot about thread. I still will use my good quality cotton threads on my quilts, because I have so much of it, but I also know that several of the most accomplished professional, internationally known quilters, use a LOT of poly in quilting their finished quilts so if I was looking for a particular color, I wouldn't hesitate to use the poly. BUT....
I would never, ever use a bedsheet for a backing.