Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)
-   -   Using sheets for backing??? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/using-sheets-backing-t109746.html)

mimom 03-22-2011 12:04 PM

I have used sheets on two quilts and they still hold up strong. I made them for my boys who dont use top sheets on their beds. So I am keeping them warm and not using any extra money.

Shelbie 03-22-2011 12:13 PM

I use both cotton and flannel sheets on the backs of my machine quilted quilts all the time with absolutely no problems. I think it's strictly a matter of preference and end use. My quilts are made to be used and sometimes dragged off to camp, sleep-overs or college. The sheet backings stand up to repeated washings and I don't have so many $ invested that I cringe when I see how wet and muddy my son's quilt is after his camp-out on the May 24 weekend. On the polyester thread note, we had the Superior thread educator for all of Canada at our guild meeting last night and there is absolutely NO REASON not to use it in our quilts. Use thread your machine likes and CHANGE your needle every 8 hours or with every project.

Shelbie 03-22-2011 12:13 PM

As quilters we need to use the fabrics and threads we have to create warm wonderful quilts and not worry so much about what's on the back of our quilts. As my daughter often reminds me "Mom the baby won't care".

justflyingin 03-22-2011 12:20 PM

At least you are consistent. i was wondering the other day about why so many seem to use cotton/poly sheets when it seems like so many also will only use 100% cotton in the quilt itself.

I am not a purist, so I don't mind using poly/cotton, esp. on my charity quilts to the poor. I figure if the quilt is used for 2-3 years, then that is good....so a poly/cotton sheet (used) is fine.

But I also had some of the same thoughts about why people will spend all this time on the front and then use whatever on the back.

Since I use "whatever I have" on the front as well, I do scrappy backs... :)

gale 03-22-2011 12:20 PM


Originally Posted by feline fanatic

Originally Posted by echobluff
reasons: 1 2) Using polyester thread when piecing/quilting cotton, the polyester filaments act like a knife and will cut cotton fibers...not something I want after everything that's gone into making a quilt to be loved/used.

This is a myth and totally not true. So please do not continue to perpetuate this old wives tale.

From Superior threads:

Will polyester thread really tear the fabric in my quilt?

Thread will not tear through a fabric solely due to its fiber content. If a thread ever tears through a fabric, it is because it won the strength contest. In a battle of heavy use and high stress placed on a quilt, the strongest component will always win. It is not accurate to say that a polyester thread is stronger than cotton. I have a spool of thread on my desk labeled 100% cotton quilting thread. It is a very well known brand, widely available, and is one of the top selling machine quilting and piecing threads. It is twice as strong as a comparable polyester thread. Although it isn't labeled as such, it is coated with a glaze which strengthens the cotton fibers and makes the thread rather wiry. In a strength test, it beats a comparable size poly, rayon, and metallic every time. In a heavily used quilt, this stiff, wiry cotton thread could do more damage than a soft polyester thread. And it is 100% cotton.

The point is this: The traditions, myths, and rumors that polyester thread will tear the quilt are not true

Source: http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...dition-or-myth

Someone posted recently that they did have a quilt that tore at the seams that had been sewn with poly thread. I just prefer cotton so that's what I use. I've never bought poly other than when I sewed clothes and used coats cotton wrapped poly.

Lv2sew2011 03-22-2011 12:21 PM

I've been using sheets as well, even though I've just started, I havent had any issue with them. And since I'm learning why not save the money since there so many mistakes any way! LOL

nana katie 03-22-2011 02:35 PM

I have used cotton sheets and have had no problems with them.

jaciqltznok 03-22-2011 02:51 PM

They are more difficult to quilt through, and they will PILL if not good quality!

Lori S 03-22-2011 03:17 PM

Sheets are fine for the back and many are of better quality than the fabric used for the top! Just as all 100 percent cotton quilting fabric is not the same ( lots of discussion here on that subject) neither are all cotton sheets. Yes a high count sheet will be difficult to hand quilt, and if you make a mistake quilting it there can be holes from the needle. So buying a 200 thread count to 150 thread count cotton sheet is comparable to cotton quilt fabric.
As for the poly thread , it is a myth. enough said on that subject.
As for bearding from a poly batting, it depends on the quality of the scrim. A high quality poly batting can perform well. It is the quilters choice for the desired outcome ,warmth, draping, hand vs machine quilting, many variables come to play in selecting the batting for a quilt.
There are many individual choices and circumstances that are enveloped in the final quilt, each should be a treasure and free of judgement.

mimom 03-22-2011 05:11 PM

Very well put Lori S, I felt a little judged by the poster


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:27 AM.