KenmoreGal2

I just thought to add one of the best things about using sheets in quilts. When I want sashings or borders, I can simply rip a sheet the long way and I get long long pieces of fabric without any piecing. I love when I run into black sheets too, they are so versatile. I try to get 100% cotton, but I'll use blends too if the color is right.

mike'sgirl

Occasionally, I'll buy other items, s/a shirts and skirts at the GW, but they're way too expensive these days to make it worth while.

~ Cindy[/QUOTE]

Yes GW is too expensive! But...I did find two beautiful 100% cotton flat sheets fro them that were worth the price. They were from India and soft and look very nice in my latest quilt.

IrishgalfromNJ

I bought a couple of sheets from the thrift store intending to use them for backings, but I made pillowcases and a elastic waist skirt instead. I think it's a good idea to use sheets as backings or buying shirts to cut up for tops.

mjpEncinitas

I just watched a show that talked about using odd fabrics for quilts. So I headed off to the thrift store and looked in the tablecloth section and bought some not usually quilt fabrics. I also looked on the remnant table and bought some brocade and suede. We ll see how it sews up. Can you machine quilt with a sheet as the backing?

judy5cents

Don't forget that there are shirts that are made by fabric designers....Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren etc....I love buying these at thrift store knowing that I am getting designer fabric

Chester the bunny

I have mentioned this before, but I thought I would remind all of you to check out the curtain section of the thrift store. I have found some brand new cotton toile curtains there, along with many other cotton fabrics. Of course some are obviously faded, but others were lined and very useable, others new. Some people like to change their décor often. )

annt59

Here is a quilt I recently finished. The blocks were made using mens' shirts that I bought at the SA.

pocoellie

I use sheets all the time for backings and sometimes even for blocks.

leatheflea

"Use the best quality quilting fabric that you can afford" By who's definition? I'm sure that the quilt I saw on The Antique Road show that was made out of cigar wrappers was the best quality quilt fabric she could find. It was appraised higher than any other quilt I've seen on the show. The antiques quilts we see today that hang in museums weren't washed as much as we wash and they aren't made with good quality quilting fabric. Again don't get me wrong I love designer fabric but to say only designer fabric quilts be the ones that last is simply Hogwash. I guess those Gee's Bend ladies worked with the top of the line fabrics also...HUH?

ragquilter

I wash everything I bring home that is washable, new or used (this includes cloth). All new items have sizing and who knows what else in it. Other countries do not have the laws against chemicals we do here. I wash everything used, not for dirt, but for bugs. Bed bugs cannot tolerate really hot or really cold. So somethings I put in the deep freeze for a few days. I only buy used furniture when the weather will be below freezing or really hot and clear, because nothing comes in before a sauna treatment, the longer the better.