I've been reading where some of you find sheets at garage sales, and places such as this. I know from reading that you cut the header off(top portion) of the sheet I am assuming. Cutting this off, does it still leave a big enough piece for the backing? Can someone explain how this is done? I am fairly new, and looking to maybe being able to put a one piece backing. Thank you all

I've purchased 100% cotton sheets (thinking to use them for donation quilts) but haven't used them yet.

If the sheet is not big enough for your quilt - piece it with something else...say leftovers from the front fabric.

Good luck

I have done it with no problems on a throw and full size quilt. It depends on the sheet & the shrinkage factor of the materials used in the top. A used sheet isn't going to shrink at all so if your top wasn't made with pre-washed fabrics, it might get a little wonky on you after the first wash.

You actually want the cheaper, thinner sheets. The nice hotel quality will be a bugger to quilt through. It would probably work fine for machine quilting with a bigger needle just like batiks, though.

Flat sheets are about the right size to use for backing if you are making a standard size quilt since sheets have the drop and tuck built into them. If your quilt is larger than standard, just use the next size larger sheet.

Fantastic idea! You just solved one of my problems. Thank you so much!

oh my goodness....I CAN JUST SEE THE QUILT POLICE COMMISSIONER QUAKING IN HER SHOES...A SHEET FOR A QUILT BACK ???
sorry, had to put that in so many people get REALLY UPSET when ever this comes up. my philosophy? use what you want to ...just get a sheet that's larger than your quilt top. do remember, poly/cotton blends are harder to quilt (by hand next to impossible) but it can certainly be done --use a sharp needle---they wear like iron and will last a long time.

I agree, the back NEEDS to be larger than the front, after all what is a sheet except a big, perfectly flat, smooth piece of fabric?

I use them for my doggie quilts, tried hand quilting one years ago( that was a mistake!)
And I also use them on picnic and kids playmat quilts
they wash up well and last forever!

Send the quilting police back where they came from. We don't allow them here. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I agree with you, go ahead and use the sheets. But remember, the most important thing is enjoy what you are doing.

May I ask why you had a hard time with tying them?

The way I understand it, the sheets have a tighter weave and it is hard to get the needle through it. This makes it difficult to hand quilt.

Very hard to hand quilt as are some batiks.
I think I read somewhere that quilting cottons have a 60 thread count???
and most sheets are 200 or much more

I rip off the header , bottom and sides. This (almost always) squares the backing making it easy to load on my Tin Lizzie frame. Sheets are not always hemmed evenly with the grain of the fabric. I haven't had a problem with them being big enough, I just estimate the size sheet needed for the top I'm quilting.

I use sheets all of the time and I can't imagine why you would rip off the header and waste valuable material. The hems are usually stitched with a chain stitch and rip out very quickly. Even if they are just straight stitched a few minutes with a stitch ripper over a cup of tea and they are out and will give you additional inches for your back. Sheets work really well for machine quilting or tying. My quilt guild uses them all the time for the backs of our large Community quilts as they can be purchased for less than $10 Canadian (the last ones I got were on sale for $5).

lol

I was just thinking, "Am I the only one who takes the time to rip out the stitching?!" That's at least 4-6 more inches of usable fabric and even if there are fade lines from the fold you can use the scraps!

I used to use sheets as backings for my quilts. At the time I didn't think I had a problem hand quilting it. Once I started using calicoes for the backing, I noticed it was easier to quilt through.

I stopped using sheets as backings when they started selling sheets only in sets. I didn't buy sheets from thrift stores or yard sales because I didn't know how the sheets were taken care of.

I most like all cotton sheets that are 200-250 count and good quality. Sateen I love the feel of, but it's slippery to work with. I like Ralph Lauren sheets. They are crisp and they get soft over time and wear like iron. I can often find just flat sheets at a discount at places like Ross or Marshalls or TJ Maxx. The quilt in my avatar is a cotton Springmaid sheet I found in Ross for $3.29. I loved the print, so it's a whole cloth quilt, with another solid sheet for the back. (Oh no- can you hear the screams from the police state! Two sheets)

I never have a problem with machine quilting. I do rip down the sides, because they pucker on my frame. Other than that, I love the sheets. (In fact, in the avatar quilt, I used the header to frame the Italian Greyhound cartouche.) Waste not, want not.