There’s this stigma about using a sheet as a quilt backing. Like using one makes you less of a quilter.
Why?
Because it’s not pieced? Because you didn’t spend an outrageous amount of money on fabric? Because you didn’t have to go through the agony of searching for a mostly full bolt of fabric? (Is this a problem for other people? We don’t have a lot of places to buy fabric in my area, and the pandemic has caused some shortages and slim pickings on nice fabric at our local JoAnn.)
Nothing against those who want to piece the back, or use a super fun fabric, or whatever. I’m not saying I think there’s anything wrong with doing that. But using sheets can also be a good solution. It saves you time (no piecing), money (way less expensive) and you can get super high quality fabric.
Maybe it’s because when people hear that you used a sheet, they think you used an old sheet. A used sheet. The kind that are 80% polyester at Dollar General and get fuzzbally after one night of use, that live in the back of your linen closet waiting for when you need a drop cloth or a quick car seat cover for your dog.
I agree that using that kind of sheet is super icky.
But I’m a sheet snob. When I use a sheet, it’s new, 100% cotton, with a thread count of 300 or greater. These are sheet sets that would sell for $90+ at a department store, but that go for $30 or $40 at Ross or TJ Maxx. I also open the package as much as I can and feel the sheets to make sure they’re super soft. (And I’m not afraid to return them if I get them home and HATE how they feel.) If I get a king size set, I can use the flat sheet (for king size quilts) AND fitted sheets (for twin/throw size quilts), and I can save the pillow cases to embroider on.
Win win win, right?
