This might be silly, But does any one use
02-02-2014, 05:10 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,061
Walmart has cheaper cotton sheets that work just fine for both machine and hand quilting. I don't use "used" sheets for quilt backs that will be used a lot, but they work fine for wall hangings, table runners, table toppers, etc that will be used seasonally or not washed all the time. If they don't have the color you want dye them in your washer and rinse them multiple times so they won't bleed on other fabrics and off you go! Flannel sheets work well too but are harder to find in single packs.
02-02-2014, 08:04 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: west central Illinois
Posts: 1,048
THANK YOU! I have used older sheets. The bottom sheet always wears out before the top sheet and year old with weekly washing topsheets, even at 350 thread counts, seem to work great. I machine quilt on a DSM. I still starch them well before I sandwhich, as by now they are very soft.
02-02-2014, 09:31 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 727
If I can get a needle though it I use it. Some say you shouldn't but I think that they say that because they've heard said. Of quilt shops and fabric dealers will tell you its a bad idea, I'm thinking it might be so they can sell more product. Quilters have been using whatever is on hand since the beginning.
02-02-2014, 11:12 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 493
In all honesty, I've never used anything else as backing. I've only made two quilts that didn't have a sheet on the back and they were both rag quilts. I don't hand quilt, but I've had no complaints from having sheets on the back. I have to make several trips to buy fabric for one quilt because of finances, and paying the high price for backing fabric just isn't in my budget.
Donna
Donna
02-02-2014, 11:24 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Nevada
Posts: 1,103
I have used sheets on my charity quilts. They're sturdier than using muslin, so they will take more abuse, and the financial savings helps me to make more charity quilts. I get a lot of the sheets from 2nd hand and Charity stores, and I do like them just a bit worn, or at least washed several times, as they are softer than brand new quilts. But then they can't be too worn either! It's just a preference. And it's your quilt, so use whatever you want for the backing. The quilt police won't come after you, I promise!
02-02-2014, 11:45 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 368
I agree with you completely. I get older, soft cotton sheets at our local thrift shop and use them on my donation quilts. They always feel so cozy to me. Since they are usually priced so reasonably I can afford to use them and give more quilts away.
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