hazeljane

I use sheets always, and for the white fabric backgrounds and such. I think the best is 200 thread count, good quality cotton. A higher thread count makes it harder, not easier. Good quilting fabric is about 70-85 thread count, to give you some comparison, so a nice crisp 200 count is the easiest to work with. And sateen is slippery, and frays more easily.

I go to Ross or TJMaxx or Marshalls, and I like Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger solids.

Candace

Usually that's a sign you're using the wrong needle for the fabric, or your needle is dull and needs replacing.

Pam

oh, but the sateens are yummy!!!

hazeljane

They are, and I use them, but you need to be prepared. The crisp 200 count are lovely to piece with. The back of my "gift to myself" quilt is a yellow sateen sheet, and it feels soooo soft.

Shelbie

I use sheets all of the time for my machine quilted quick quilts or for quilts that will see frequent washing. Often they are the 200 thread sheets and they wash and wear well. It is no problem to quilt them on the machine and it's great not to have to piece a back. I bought twenty sheets this past week for conmmunity quilts for $100 and you couldn't buy much yardage for that price as quilting fabric in Canada starts at $10 a metre unless you find a fantastic sale. If you're still not convinced, use a sheet on your next community quilt project and see what you think. I always try to buy King size sheets so I'll have extra sheeting to make matching pillowcases which are great to use with your quilt or use to store your quilt.

amma

Great idea!!! I will borrow this one for making pillowcases and quilt bags D:D:D

quiltinghere

Wow - this is the first time I've read comments about using sheets for backing (and piecing) and only read GOOD comments about the sheets.

I've 'heard' some say the weave is different on the sheet making it more difficult to quilt (hand or machine).

Guess you ladies disagree. I'll have to try it myself to get an opinion (but I love yours...cause I've been picking up 100% cotton sheets at resale/garage sales lately.)

Thanks for your opinions!

CarrieAnne

Shelbie, good tipI I always have extra fabric, too!

Candace

I've not used sheets before, but I've not read any reasons why I shouldn't that persuaded me NOT to. I understand the philosophy behind the thread count and hand quilting. But, since I don't have to worry about hand quilting unless someone can give me a good reason why not to use them then one of my projects will incorporate a sheet backing. I've read lots of "I've been told not to" and "it's not a good idea". But, I tend to need concrete reasons WHY before I believe it. Yeah, I'm a rebel

:thumbup:

SuziC

I use sheets all the time. They are cheaper that some fabric and easy to sew through. Yard sales are great places to find a variety of colors and sizes. Go ahead and try it!!