I have used both cotton and blends. I also bought some vintage white sheets from an estate sale. They are very high quality yet super soft. I have really enjoyed using them. I agree with the post about how our Grandma's quilted. I did so after remembering the nights spent sleeping in a cast iron bed under a soft quilt made of old clothing scraps. Recently I splurged on some expensive watercolor fabric for a quilt backing and now have buyers remorse. It is just too heavy for my liking. Live and learn.