BarbZ

I have been reading about using sheets for backing, 3.00 fabrics vs. 10.00 fabrics and it all seems to be based on the thread counts. However it is confusing because some have written to buy cheaper sheets for backing as the thread count is less and better for the hand quilters and the LAQ people to work with then I read that you should buy good quality top fabrics because the thread count is higher. :( :!: Also some say do NOT use sheets for the backing. Any explainations out there?

kathy

the best thing to do is try what you have in mind and see hoe it works for you, after all, that's what really counts!

sewwhat85

low count sheets have a higher thread count than good quality fabric. I think that is what they mean. I have read that also.

Borntohandquilt

I absolutely agree with Kathy! But in my experience and what I found out in more than 20 years of hand quilting practice the thread count plays an important role.

I try to find fabrics with a thread count of 150 (that means 75 threads per inch in each direction), they work perfect for me. I also used batiks (thread count 240) but it was quite heavy for me to quilt through. Some patchwork fabrics have 120 or less - they are too coarse for me and my quilting stitches.

You see: the best thing is to try and to find your own preferences.

Up North

I use the 200 count from Walmart

carhop

if you get 250 count or below the sheet will pill for some reason

ckcowl

good quality quilting fabrics still have a much lower thread count than expensive sheets....some cotton fab's may have thread counts as low as 60...quilt shops will be between 100 & 200; most sheets start at 200 and go up from there.