mimee4

I got a couple of sets of sheets at Penney's on sale - $2.97 for twin top, bottom and pillowcase. They seem just right for backing - not percale. I'll let you know.

Boston1954

I have known people who do. I do not because the weave is tighter than the other fabric and I believe it makes it harder to hand quilt.

sewnsewer2

I can tell you from experience that sheets are hard to quilt!!

Up North

I hand quilt and use the 200 count main stay sheets from Walmart. These are not hard to hand quilt through and I have not seen any holes. I have sheets from over 30 years ago that are still in decent shape so I think fabric is fabric If it works use it. I like solid backs and love using them as they are all one piece and you can get them big enough for king size quilts.

lucyb

Remember when you didn't have to buy them in sets? I liked that a lot better. I have used them to make curtains and shower curtains, Now you have to buy the fitted sheet even if you don't need one.

Shelbie

I too use sheets all the time for quilt backs. They are absolutely not problem for machine quilting and wash and wear very well. I especially like them on quilts that will see a lot of hard use (think Youth Shelter and industrial washing machines) or quilts for kids that will be really used and dragged around. I frequently buy 200 threat count sheets ($5.00 on special in Canada) for Community Quilts and even higher thread count sheets on family quilts. I try to buy the darker colours or patterned ones in King Size and use the leftovers to make a matching pillow case to store the quilt in or as the gift bag to present the quilt. Using sheets really cuts down on the overall cost of a quilt and I can't think of any reason not to.

MaryStoaks

I use sheets from the thrift store. Most of the time I can find 100% cotton but in a pinch poly/cotton will do. They are always available here as we live in a snowbird area. I have never had a problem quilting them with my Tin Lizzie. I do change the machine needle whenever I think of it. If the needle is dull and the sheet is a high thread count I can hear a pop with each stitch that tells me to change out the needle.

anglgrl

I machine quilted my top quilt then I finished with hand sewing the sheet on the back worked out great.

Barbm

I just hit a sale of clearance flat sheets at Wal-Mart. They were $2.00 for the twin and $4.50 for King. I bought several.

I use wide backing fabric for gifts and raffles. I use the sheets for utility or low cost (i.e. scrap) quilts.

I'm making a quilt right now for hubby and me. I'm using a sheet for the back. It's not for "good" but to use. When I make the quilt of my dreams, I will use wide backing and have it professionally quilted.

So, I'm both ends of the spectrum. (And I used sheets before I found out about wide fabric- never had a problem machine quilting.)

Kellys Table

Concerning bed sheets. 42 years ago I made my wedding dress from a new sheet, turned out great, very hard to sew on; then 10 years ago cut it up for fabric. Problem is I bought the best sheet I could find, shrunk it first, but the sheet was like sewing through a very heavy batik, if that makes since. I still use flat sheets, but make sure they are 100% cotton, much easier to use.
Hope this helps. http://cluttergutter.com.
Kelly