Latrinka

I would probly try it, but I would definitely wash and dry the sheet first.

cjaneky

I have used poly cotton blend sheet for backing on several different occassions, also machine quilted them...have had no problems with this material.

taj334

Thanks for the "Sewer's Aid" tip. Could have used that stuff on my last attempt. My plan is to quilt it as simply as possible since my free motion skills are beginner at best. Am working on the sample and will see how it shakes out in the wash.

margecam52

I use poly/cotton blend sheets often on cotton quilts. You just need to know that when the cotton shrinks in the top, the backing will not shrink as much...so the back will have a wrinkly/puffy look, more like an antique quilt+.

One thing with sheets...they may look square with their hems...but you have to take all the stitching out and then rip the 4 sides to even out the fabric and "square" it up. I ask customers to wash the sheet at least twice (and dry)...this gets the sizing out & some of the excess dye on dark colors.

I take the stitching out when the quilt top and sheet arrive. I then color test it to make sure it won't still bleed onto the quilt. Once that is done, I treat it like a batik fabric...and have not had any problems quilting it.

Another thing I tell customers...look for the lower thread count...especially on cotton/poly blends...100% cotton...400 count will work fine. Cotton/poly blends...even lower is better.

Unless the sheet is 100% cotton...I don't think I'd use it on a quilt I want to put in a show/contest.

taj334

Thanks for the tip on the sheets. Will definitely wash and square up. I washed my little sample and it came out fine. A little puffier on the back maybe, but I'm not planning on entering it in a show.

kittiebug

Please don' use a SHEET. sometimes they pucker.

GrannieAnnie

Nothing wrong with a sheet for backing!

GrannieAnnie

Question???? Where could you find a sheet that is 100% poly? I've only seen blends and all cotton.

taj334

The sample I made came out of the wash and was quite revealing. To my surprise, the cheap sheet washed up very soft and didn't really shrink too much at all. Maybe it's the "micro plush" thing. What surprised me was the $10 a yard cotton doesn't look as nice as I thought it would. Oh well, IF I can now get my Pfaff to behave and do the free motion, I think I'll use the sheet. Thanks to everyone for their great ideas. Love this Board!

Oh, I found the sheet set in my local grocery store. I was in line and really just grabbed it.

quiltstringz

I have one friend that gets sheets from the thrift store for her backs. They have already been washed many times, are very soft and you can tell by the feel the thread count. Try for something that feels the weight and look of the fabrics you used for the top