schoolteacher

Agree with Tartan. It is harder to handquilt --using a sheet. But, I have used them for piecing and get a long O.K.

QuiltnNan

i have used sheet, but, like the op's, feel that the weave is too dense. so i only do it for my DSM, not on my frame. love your quilt.

Daylesewblessed

I use them whenever I get the opportunity - that is, whenever I happen to find one that looks good with the top. It saves piecing the back, and the leftovers are nice long pieces great for binding.

HillCountryGal

Count me as another one that's used sheets as backing. Because the sheet wasn't "new", they were softer, therefore easier for quilting. Haven't handquilted with a sheet backing.. yet. Only on machine and it worked out just fine. Like someone else said, our Grandmothers used whatever they had. Look at how long some of those quilts have lasted.

Love your quilt. It's really nice!

Shelbie

I use sheets all the time, all cotton, cotton/poly and flannel with great results. I make scrap quilts and they often contain older fabric and I can't justify spending $15 a metre (at most LQS in Canada) to purchase fabric for backing. My quilts are practically all given away and expensive backing fabrics would make this impossible. I have had absolutely no trouble machine quilting through sheets on my Janome 6500, 201 Singer or Husqvarna Viking#1 Plus. I buy the largest sheets that I can find when they are on sale. I often buy seconds at the Lens Mills stores or Sears or Giant Tiger and they are usually less than $10. My guild also uses sheets for the backing on our Community Quilts. The only problem that I've ever had with my sheet backings was one sheet (probably had a higher poly content) pilled after frequent repeated washings. By that point the rest of the quilt wasn't in good shape either. If I have a King sized sheet for backing a smaller quilt, I make a matching pillowcase from the left overs. Sheets definitely work for me and I don't care what the quilt police say on this one!

quilts4charity

I use sheets all the time....I heard all the reasons not to but decided to try anyhow...I have an 18" Innova on a frame and she (Abby) sews them just fine, they wash and do up beautifully and best of all...no piecing, plus they are a great bargain when I find them at the thrift store!!

charsuewilson

I've used sheets a number of times, both for backing and for background for appliques. Quilted on DSM with no problems. I've noticed no problems with wear either. Right now I'm using pieces from an old cotton sheet as foundation for a scrappy diagonal block. I'll use pieces from another old cotton sheet as backing for this quilt.

Country1

Been there done that no problems here. Your quilt is beautiful! Have fun.
Penny

Caroline S

I also use cotton sheets and cotton flannel sheets for quilt backings. I just make sure that they are 100% cotton with a thread count of about 200. I buy a lot of my sheets from thrift stores. If they feel good and look good, especially the flannels, then they are "fair game" for a quilt. As a hint, look for duvet covers. There is a lot of yardage in them. I bought one last week for $3.50 (senior discount day ! and already marked down) that measured out to be 12.5 yards of fabric, cost 27 cents a yard.

cowgirlquilter

I have used sheets a few times and never had problems.