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  • Using bedsheets to back your quilts?

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    Old 11-03-2010, 07:09 PM
      #21  
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    I have used sheets for 20 years and have no problem, and no holes. I prefer good quality cotton sheets, with a thread count of 200-250. Occasionally I use cotton sateen with the same thread count, but it's a bit slipperier, so I prefer the straight weave.

    There will always be quilt police, but I have quilts I've made that have been laundered at least 50 times, and there is no trouble with them. I also buy white sheets and use them as sashing and background fabric. No trouble at all.
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    Old 11-04-2010, 01:02 AM
      #22  
    Gal
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    As has been said on this site many times before, it is your quilt you can do what ever you wish! In my experience for what it is worth, I have used poly/cotton bed sheets for my backing when I have used poly/cotton fabrics for the quilt top, no problems, I use the cheaper sheets with not such a hight thread count. I am sure what you have read is true if you go for the dense 'Egyptian' cotton sheets with a very high thread count. I am entering no competitions and I work mosly in scraps and recyled fabrics so using sheets is fine for me, it is down to what you can afford and what kind of end results you are after.

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    Old 11-04-2010, 03:11 AM
      #23  
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    I have used sheets in the past without any problems. If I can save some money for the backing I can buy more fabric. Some of the backs call for as much as 7 yards, and at the cost of nice fabric thats alot of new fabric I can buy.
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    Old 11-04-2010, 03:17 AM
      #24  
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    Originally Posted by erstan947
    The hems on sheets are sewn with needles and that does not break down the sheet. Does not make sence to me. I hand quilted 2 quilts with sheets for backing. It did make it harder on my hands but did well. So like it's been said before personal preference.
    My thought exactly!!!!!!!! I use sheets all the time. No problem.
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    Old 11-04-2010, 03:25 AM
      #25  
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    Glad that to read all the post because I was considering using a bed sheet and felt like I would be breaking a rule.With the cost of fabric now I'm heading out to Wal Mart.....
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    Old 11-04-2010, 03:50 AM
      #26  
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    I always stock up on flannelette sheets when I see them at a good price. Wash them first to get the sizing out of the way and dry them in the dryer to shrink them. Love the feel of flannel on the back of a quilt!

    And I also use the percale or cotton sheets as well. Never had a problem. I hate seams on the back of my quilts!
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    Old 11-04-2010, 04:09 AM
      #27  
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    I use sheets a lot and have never had a problem.
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    Old 11-04-2010, 04:29 AM
      #28  
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    Originally Posted by Mary O
    Glad that to read all the post because I was considering using a bed sheet and felt like I would be breaking a rule.With the cost of fabric now I'm heading out to Wal Mart.....
    Mary, go ahead and break the rules like so many of us have. (Pretend like you're running with sissors :shock: when you buy that sheet.) I've used sheets also with no problems.
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    Old 11-04-2010, 04:33 AM
      #29  
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    most quilting cottons are 200 thread count. it is easy to find sheets that are also 200 thread count (or even 150-even looser)
    batiks have a higher thread count than 'normal' quilting cottons.
    if you buy a 800 thread count sheet you may have a problem but the higher the thread count also the higher the price, and since most people choose to use a sheet to save money i would think they are buying the lower thread count cotton sheets;
    i do not buy into the DO NOT USE mind set. if it works for what you are doing, no harm done. but high thread count sheets may be more difficult to hand stitch through, sewing machines have no problems and as long as you use a new sharp needle there are no problems either
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    Old 11-04-2010, 04:53 AM
      #30  
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    I use high thread count sheets and I haven't had a problem. If it was a problem they wouldn't be able to sew the hems of the sheets to begin with. Do what you want and if it works thats great. Dull needles can causes more damage to any type of fabric so keep your needles sharp and the high thread count sheets are fine.
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