Schill93

I think using 100% cotton sheets is a practical idea in your case. They usually hold up well to many washings as they are designed to. The problem is it is difficult to find a print one that will match the front, so you are left with solids. I personally like making quilts with two pretty sides, but I might rethink that if I made a lot of charity quilts.

Buying bolts from Marshal Dry Goods is good option. As mentioned, their Dream Cotton is very nice, and even a few of their MDF Classics have a better weave than others. Lots of people have used their large size 108' quilt backs for $7.95 a yard. You can easily make a teen size with two yards ($16)

Jeanne S

I buy flat sheets at Goodwill and other charity resale shops for backings. They are usually $2-3 each, and are soft and make great quilt backs.

cathyvv

I've used bed sheets - 180 to 200 thread count - and have had no problem.

Lena1952

I had a quilt come to me for an organization I was volunteering for and while I thought the quilt colors and pattern were hideous the 17 yo exchange student we were hosting thought it was the most beautiful quilt. BTW, a 30 yo woman excitedly choose this "hideous" quilt over others offered and was brought to tears by the beauty of it. So before you judge beauty, please know others opinions may differ.

ckcowl

so, to answer your question directly- I back donation quilts the same way I back all of my quilts- doesn’t matter if I m donating, selling, gifting or keeping. They all get the same . The only difference between them is donation quilts I put a generic label on including fiber content and care instructions

Karamarie

Our church used to make quilts that were sent to countries where they were used just as something the person put between them and the ground to lay on; therefore, the quilts were backed with something that could withstand that kind of use and a light color probably would not be the best to use, nor would spendy fabric. We don't always know where/how the quilts will be used.

Heathermom2opmc

Thank you for donating to Project Linus, it is a great organization. I have been doing quite a few quilt as you go with the cover strips as seen by Pattern Poole. You make a slightly bigger seam --3/8 inch between blocks and then put a cover strip that is made with a bias tape maker over the seam that shows. It can be either on the back for a "regular" looking front, or on the front and look like a narrow sashing strip. This way you can use smaller fabric pieces for the back, but with the look of a regular quilt. For example I did one that had 18 inch blocks. I was able to use fat quarters and the extra I cut off went into my stash for crazy quilts. I also used left over flannel and the back was in different coordinating flannel fabrics, but I didn't need to buy 4 plus yards of fabric which as you said is very $$$$ at times. I did another quilt that I used 12 inch blocks and made the back a pattern as well and that way it was reversible. I have donated to Project Linus for a couple years now and I hear the teen size quilts and blankets are seldom donated. I am planning to do a sports themed quilt as you go and a strip quilt as you go and I will be using coordinating blocks for the back. I would like to do almost a tick tack toe board grid on the back that the teen could use as a game. Just some ideas from what I have done. Pics attached.

Maire

I’m on several quilt shops email online, watch the sales, on occasion some will have a fantastic price for name brand fabrics. Especially Hancocks of Paducah & Quilt in a Day, $3 or $4 yard, then I stock up for backs

Maire

This so very true! Too many don’t realize not everyone sees things the same way.

tropit

So...are you trying to avoid piecing a backing? If not, just go with what's on sale, or scraps that you already have. You can even make it more colorful by using several, smaller pieces of different fabrics. I like Marshall's, Ebay and Connecting Threads (On Sale) for the inexpensive stuff. I'm also with the "sheets camp." I use sheets in my own, utility quilts for my home and have never had a problem with wear, or with stitching through them by machine. Most sheets that I use are 100% cotton and of medium thread count. I sometimes find good ones at the thrift store for just a dollar, or two.