Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Cotton knit sheet for backing ? >
  • Cotton knit sheet for backing ?

  • Cotton knit sheet for backing ?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 09-26-2015, 07:16 PM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Nov 2014
    Location: Dakotas
    Posts: 2,984
    Question Cotton knit sheet for backing ?

    Can a cotton knit sheet be used as a quilt backing ? I have one with sock monkeys that would be really cute for a child but I wonder if it will be a stretchy mess.
    tranum is offline  
    Old 09-26-2015, 08:18 PM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2013
    Location: Tulsa, Ok
    Posts: 4,582
    Default

    Never tried that so I am guessing, but seems like stretching would be a big problem, similar to t-shirt quilts. Perhaps if you used a stabilizer, it would make it more workable. I think I would cut into the sheet and do a small trial piece first. Then if it was manageable, go on to your quilt with it.
    Jeanne S is offline  
    Old 09-26-2015, 08:29 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
    Posts: 8,108
    Default

    You might be able to use it as a backing if you quilt it on a frame, but i just don't know. I did use a piece of cotton jersey (meant for apparel) as a backing for a quilt, but quilted it on a frame. It came out very well.

    But a jersey sheet stretches so much more than the apparel jersey did, that I won't even hazard a guess about how well it will work, even on a frame.
    cathyvv is offline  
    Old 09-27-2015, 02:34 AM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    sewingitalltogether's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2015
    Location: Michigan
    Posts: 1,297
    Default

    Save you knit fabric for something else. All the work that goes into making a beautiful quilt deserves a nice cotton backing. I have a fellow quilter that ruins her quilts by not putting a nice backing on.
    sewingitalltogether is offline  
    Old 09-27-2015, 02:54 AM
      #5  
    Senior Member
     
    LilaKay's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Mission, TX
    Posts: 390
    Default

    I use Minkee on the back of baby quilts. It's very stretchy but I quilt the baby quilts on my DM without any problems. I spray baste and pin. But I agree with sewingitalltogether, don't ruin a beautiful quilt with a cheap backing.
    LilaKay is offline  
    Old 09-27-2015, 06:44 AM
      #6  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 19,127
    Default

    Knit is stretchy so I wouldn't use it.
    ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
    Old 09-27-2015, 06:57 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2007
    Location: Alturas, CA
    Posts: 9,393
    Default

    I've used polar fleece as backs on a couple of quilts and didn't really have any problems and I quilted on my DSM not a long arm.
    pocoellie is offline  
    Old 09-27-2015, 12:16 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Buckeye Rose's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Monroe, IN
    Posts: 2,283
    Default

    I think it could work, but will take a bit more preparation than normal. I believe you will need to use a spray baste to keep every inch stuck to the batting while you quilt.....and be ready to do more quilting than normal as any areas bigger than your fist will sag/stretch without quilting. I have knit sheets on my bed and they do stretch, but add some extra warmth in the winter. It is your quilt, so don't let someone else tell you that your quilt will be ruined with a knit backing!
    Buckeye Rose is offline  
    Old 09-27-2015, 12:35 PM
      #9  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: Aug 2014
    Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
    Posts: 4,096
    Default

    I think if I were going to use a knit sheet for backing I would spray baste AND pin baste and quilt from the back(have the back facing up) using an all over close quilting design. Sometimes I quilt from the back any way if I'm doing an all over design and I don't want the piecing to distract me.

    Cari
    Cari-in-Oly is offline  
    Old 09-28-2015, 03:48 AM
      #10  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Posts: 659
    Default

    Originally Posted by pocoellie
    I've used polar fleece as backs on a couple of quilts and didn't really have any problems and I quilted on my DSM not a long arm.
    I have thought about doing this. Did you use batting as well? Thanks.
    junegerbracht is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Tashana
    Main
    12
    08-02-2012 06:31 PM
    cmputerdazed
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    3
    03-15-2011 08:31 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter