Sheets for quilts?
#11
I sometimes use sheets for backing if I am going to machine quilt it. I won't use them for a quilt that I'm going to handquilt because of the tighter thread count. But for a machine quilted quilt...go for it! I like to look for sheets at thrift stores...if they are still in good condition and a pretty, but fairly neutral design, I buy them! I want to make sure they don't look have a "dated" design, etc. I prefer something like a striped or a pretty floral design.
Where else can you get a quilt backing for $2-4???
Where else can you get a quilt backing for $2-4???
#13
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 1,102
Gosh, I've been using them all along and didn't know it was hard! I only hand-quilt and didn't know I wasn't supposed to use them because they're difficult. I can't even imagine one of my quilts in a show, so I don't think that's going to be an issue! LOL
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Duluth/ Superior, WI
Posts: 1,038
I use sheets all the time but do not hand quilt (way too hard to push needle through). I search out good sheets from the goodwill, salvation army, yard sales, etc., wash them up and trim all salvages, top & bottom hems and keep for using on my LA. If I find good flat sheets on sale in my local stores, make sure the are around 200 thread count as those don't pill as often as some in lower thread count. Your quilt...your way...
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
Every quilt I've sent out to be machine quilted I've had her use a really good sheet for the backing (I picked up the sheet). They hold up super well and I really like them on the back of a machine quilted quilt.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,991
I use sheets all the time, both flannel and cotton. I can buy a queen sized sheet for $10 or
often less and you can't even buy a yard of quilting fabric for that in Canada. I like not having
to piece fabric for a back and often find some very unique patterned sheets. I buy them when I find a good sale and then just check my sheet stash to find a suitable back. They quilt just fine, wash and wear well.
often less and you can't even buy a yard of quilting fabric for that in Canada. I like not having
to piece fabric for a back and often find some very unique patterned sheets. I buy them when I find a good sale and then just check my sheet stash to find a suitable back. They quilt just fine, wash and wear well.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,688
I have used quilts for sheets and they were fine. My first large bed sized quilt (in the late 1870's) was a king size with a lovely blue green scene of water and palm trees -- I hand embroidered the quilt through the batting and backing echoing the entire pattern and adding some detail that was not in it. It was a bit harder to get through the sheets, but some ivory soap worked to help get the needle through the layers. It came out beautiful -- and I wish I still had it. When we moved to a new house, it had a different color scheme and DH took it to Goodwill one day since it was "just sitting around" -- I cried.
At church, we use sheets all the time for our charity quilts -- they hold up much better than pieced quilts since we tie them. We get some beautiful patterns at Goodwill, etc and love them.
At church, we use sheets all the time for our charity quilts -- they hold up much better than pieced quilts since we tie them. We get some beautiful patterns at Goodwill, etc and love them.
#18
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Michigan's Lower Peninsula
Posts: 69
I use sheets quite often for backing. I pick them up new/sale and second hand. I machine quilt or tie and they hold up well in my opinion. I've found some great sheets that match up nicely with my fronts. I don't have any goal to enter a quilt show so don't worry about the "rules". As has been said...there are no quilt police...do what YOU want!
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oak Ridge North, TX
Posts: 7,172
I have used new sheets in my quilts for backing and for solid color pieces for many years-- they wash well and hold up -- some of them have a little polyester in them (although I thought that they were all cotton when I made them) -- the problem now is finding low count, all cotton, reasonably priced sheets --
#20
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 1,102
I was more concerned that they wouldn't hold up as well. But I figured that they are getting as much wear and tear as a top sheet normally would anyway. Less, if there is a top sheet "protecting it". I don't follow the "quilt police laws", but I often wonder why those laws are in place. I assumed it was to sell fabric LOL
I use sheets quite often for backing. I pick them up new/sale and second hand. I machine quilt or tie and they hold up well in my opinion. I've found some great sheets that match up nicely with my fronts. I don't have any goal to enter a quilt show so don't worry about the "rules". As has been said...there are no quilt police...do what YOU want!
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