I have been quilting since 2002 and have used coordinating fabrics for the backs of my quilts. However, years earlier I had made several comforters (with really high-loft fiberfill ) and backed them with sheets. They seemed to work out fine. Then much later when I did REAL quilts the thought to use sheets never entered my mind. Just the other day for some reason this question came to my mind. So why not use sheets for quilt backs? Love to hear your opinions.

I have done it before... I actually think sometimes the quality is better depending on what you buy. Plus you can get them the size you want/need without having to piece it together. I have bought a couple sets at yards sales for just a couple dollars which equals very little money per yard. Can't beat it! Then I have the fabric from the fitted to use within the quilt and the backing to match!

I was told the higher density of the fabric makes if difficult to do the actual quilting, especially by hand. That said, I have used a sheet for backing. The less expensive sheets are not as dense.

Seems to me that in the deep, dark recesses of my mind I recall hearing something of the sort now that you mention it! I don't do handquilting so it wouldn't matter to me!

ok so I replied to your comment on the first one. Go figure!
Like I said think I heard something like that long, long ago! and as I don't handquilt it shouldn't matter!

I have used sheets for backing. I don't like a seam on the back. I don't hand quilt and it works fine for me.

Sheets aren't necessarily all cotton, usually some poly so the shrinkage as a back would be different from front if front is all cotton. I have quilted customer quilts where the back is a sheet and they look good and is the customer's choice. I think the difference in shrinkage and the greater difficulty in hand quilting are the two greatest drawbacks. Still a lot of people use sheets and are happy so I would say it is up to each individual.

I love how the feel of nice sheets feel on the back of my quilts. You can get some really nice ones from costco and snuggly they are!!

I use sheets sometimes too.

i wouldn't think shrinkage would be much of a problem if you prewash you fabrics and the sheet. my mom told me they used to use sheets to make blankets when they were little.

it used to be frowned on to use sheets, mainly because of the tighter weave it is very difficult to hand stitch (quilt) them. now that it is more accepted to machine quilt more and more people are taking advantage of using sheets. the 'purist' and the quilt police will still frown, but, use what you want, it is your quilt.

I was thinking the same...you can get good quality sheets at really good prices at discount stores.

I prefer to buy the large quilt backing. Sometimes I will piece three strips together. I'm not a fan of sheets, but it is simply personal preference.

a 200 count is what you need if hand quiltd it has less thread so easy to get the needle thur. hope this helps.

with a low count do you have issue after a few washes?? You know the cotton bumps...forgot the word for it.

I don't like seams in the back either. In fact, I am so anal about backs that I even fussy? cut them and match the pattern so the seam is not noticed. One time I had half inch of fabric left over!!

Actually, I think what brought this to my mind was that I met someone the other day with a finished quilt and she had found the perfect color yellow sheet for the back of her quilt in a thrift shop!

I have an extra-wide piece in my stash waiting for me to do it's top! It just happened that when I found some really neat fabric for my stash and a future quilt I found the wide backing to match!! Now if I'd just stay off this site, I might get some quilting done. No, I still have an excuse! I am recovering from having both knees replaced and am not quite ready to sit down at a machine for any length of time, or stand up to cut out the pieces!

if you are using cotton batting you have to quilt closer.i never had any trouble as i dont use cotton batting.

Pilling? I'm not sure, but I think that is a problem with polyester sheets -- not so much of a problem with all-cotton sheets. I don't think the thread count affects pilling, but fiber content does.

I just finished a quilt top and from the beginning I planned to use a sheet. When I mentioned this to the LQS owner she was very discouraging. Said she'd rather see me use muslin than a sheet. Hmmmm. Glad this thread came up - I'm going to go with the sheet. I've heard that the sheet will not last as well, will fade, etc, but the quilt I made is for lovin' not for an heirloom and we're going to love with a sheet.

I don't think she was just trying to sell her muslin - this is a small town and I've knew the lady years before she opened this shop.

some long-armers in my area don't like to quilt on sheets. So check if you're going to send it out for quilting.

I've used a flannel sheet for my sons dinosaur, quilt. It wasn't that difficult to quilt. I have a flat sheet for my other sons quilt, I think it's 200 count cotton thread or something and it wasn't difficult to sew through either.

I usually use sheets, they work just fine for quilting with my Tin Lizzie. I often find them in thrift shops, I wash them before bringing them into the house (fear of bed bugs).
You can't beat the price and sheets are made with long lasting fabric. I do prefer the 100% cotton but I've used good quality cotton blends too.

I know people use sheets for backing, but I've been told by numerous long arm quilters that they won't quilt them using sheets on the back.

I've used sheets many times and my grandmother loved them for her quilts once the printed ones came out - she would give a set of sheets to match the backing as part of the gift. I still use a couple of hers and they were gifts in the 1950's

I thought there were no Quilt Police!!!!! I have used sheets for backings on lots of quilts and never had a problem. I guess now I might have to start looking over my shoulder for those dreaded Quilt Police.

I really like this idea! After all, one can buy the correct size sheet as the quilt, then that a set of sheets to match the back of the quilt!

I machine quilt so I guess I could use sheets, I just never think of it while I'm making a quilt.

I've intentionally bought 'on sale' flat sheets to use for future quilt backs and have also gotten some from thrift shops or yard sales. The 'used' ones are so nice and soft! I just make sure they don't have thin spots...but those are usually on the fitted sheet anyway, not the flat sheet.

We use sheets all the time for our Guild's Community Quilts and they are absolutely fine for machine quilting. Our LQS has a mid arm machine set-up and we quilt 3 or 4 there every month. We also ignore the quilt police and trim the backing to 1 1/4" after quilting and turn it to the front and top stitch it for binding. This works well for us and produces a hard wearing quilt that is able to withstand frequent washings at some of the shelters where our quilts are donated. I often use these methods on kid quilts and college bound quilts and sheets work out very well.

You can get some really nice sheets at thrift stores. Usually they have the fitted one to match which would be good to use in the top to make it more coordinated. I haven't used sheets yet, but thinking strongly about it.

I use sheets all the time...

I use sheets most all the time. I've never used any with less than 200 thread count. I've finished 3 for Christmas presents, and I used 300 to 360 thread count sheets. (Bought them for a song) I quilted them just fine with my Bailey and never had a problem with them at all. Turned around and used the excess backing and fabric from the quilt and made pillow cases to match.

That is a good idea. Never thought of doing this.

Using sheets is 'hit and miss'. Sometimes they work just fine, other times - ick! If the weave is too tight, the threads break instead of parting for the needle, weakening the fabric. If a customer brings in a sheet, I tell them I'll try, but if it looks like the threads are going to break, I'll call and we'll look another option. The sound of that thread breaking is just like fingernails on a blackboard!

I have one customer that brings in flannel flat sheets for her backs. Those work wonderful!!

Way back in the 50s I made quilts with sheet fronts and backing and old Army blankets as padding. Hubby then was Air Force, which meant that money was tight then. Sent to KI Sawyer in MI which was COLD, and really needed lots of quilts so I used everything I could get my hands on. I think there may be one of these still around the house somewhere for visiting kids to play on in winter. They washed and wore like iron, not too soft but warm.

I use sheets and love them, I hate to have seams down the back of my quilts and with sheets I don't have that problem .
Plus they are so much cheaper to buy and I find them at
thrift store's as well. :D :thumbup:

I use them all the time. I buy the walmart brand. A twin is just four dollars!. and a king is 12 dollars. I can usually find one in a color that coordinates with the quil top . I machine quilt so it is not a problem. With everything going up in price and not many raises on the horizon we need to find as many ways to streach our budgets as possible! :)

walmarts is the only place i know of where you can buy them seperate. i chairty group i know, uses them for the soldier quilts..
we had a "mervyns" years ago..and you could get them there, cheap too. but they closed up.

no quilt police, but if a longarms doesn;t want them, then i would not insist..she is the one doing the quilting..
i have used flannel with snowmen on it, and it was sooo wonderfully soft and cuddly.