So, I know backings are a hot button issue in some circles, but for the most part, the fun part of making a quilt is piecing the front. By the time it comes to back and quilt, I often find that I’m ready to move onto the next project. But finishing feels so good, so I’ve found a method that works for me. I use these sheets.
I can’t find these at Target online, but I’ve found a large selection of them in the stores, and frequently buy a sheet set for less than $20 on sale. That gives you two large quilt backs (flat sheet & fitted sheet) as well as a cute mini quilt back. I just can’t justify using yardage for backings when I get very nice, cute, long lasting backs for under $10.
I’ve posted about these a few times on instagram and always get a lot of questions, so it seems a quick FAQ would be helpful.
Are these sheets hard to machine quilt through? No, these sheets are approximately the same thread count as quilting cottons, and go through a long arm or home machine just fine without dulling needles or that annoying popping sound you may have heard if you used a high thread count sheet.
How do these sheets wash up? Do they pill? I have these sheets on the back of ten different quilts, as well as on my children’s beds and I’ve never had a pilling problem. When my sneaky children get in bed with dirty feet (summer was rough on sheets at this house) these sheets wash up wonderfully, without any of that yucky grey stain.
Do these shrink? Should I prewash them? These sheets don’t require prewashing. I usually pull them out of the package and toss them in the dryer with a damp towel. This gets out most of the wrinkles from the packaging and then I go after more stubborn wrinkles with an iron. I love how they wash. They shrink about the same as quilting cotton which gives my quilt a fabulous crinkle. Gotta love a crinkly quilt!
How are these to hand quilt? Can you needle through them easily? YES! These are very easy to hand quilt through. Since the thread count and yarn used are pretty similar to quilting cotton, these are no more difficult to needle through than a standard quilting fabric.
That’s pretty much it! I do not recommend any other brands of sheets due to higher thread count or cheaper material that doesn’t hold up. But I love these. If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments and I’m happy to reply! If you have another brand you recommend, (or recommend we steer clear of!) I’d love to know that, too!
Thank you for reading along and for your response to my last post. I am so grateful to be part of a community that cheers each other on. I’m sure I’ll share more gushy thoughts on that later, but for now, THANK YOU! If I didn’t write you back personally to your comment, please know I read each one and was incredibly grateful!
xo
Amanda
thanks for sharing! I’m not a fan of piecing backs and these actually look cute! I’m off to Target tomorrow for some backs!
Brilliant. And you don’t have to piece the backing either.
Such a clever idea Amanda, I will try it soon. I always wonder about this especially when I can tell the thread count in my own sheets is too tight to sew nicely. And these patterns are great for most of my fabric choices these days!
I do this too! I love those sheets! I cut the corners off the fitted sheets and use them for baby quilts…works like a charm. 🙂
Thanks so much for this information. I am definitely going to try this! Gotta love Target! Sometimes I finish a quilt top and have to stop and wait for another couple of paydays to roll around to afford buying yardage for a backing. This is really a fabulous idea. I’m definitely checking out these sheets on my next Target trip to see what works for a quilt top I’m about to finish up today! Your blog is awesome and inspiring!
Thanks for the tips. I’ve read varying theories on using sheets and have yet to try it myself. But coming from a fabric shop owner-I very much trust you!!
Are these sheets polyester, though, rather than 100% cotton? I think that would be my only objection. But maybe I’m looking at the wrong sheets at target?
Thanks for this information. I had used sheets as backing years ago but then found out not to use them as the fabrics were so different. Nice to know that these sheets will work. More convenient for me to get these than driving over an hour to get to a quilt store with wide backs.
Thanks so much, I love this idea. Just one question, On the Target Room Essentials it says durable cotton-rich blend that resists wrinkles and dries easily. Thread Count: 225, but doesn’t say what the blend consists of.
On another Room Essentials Easy Care it says: Easy-care, 60% cotton / 40% polyester sheet set. Type: Percale; Fiber Content: 60 % Cotton, 40 % Polyester Care and Cleaning: Machine wash, warm. Are these the same Room Essentials and they are 60% Cotton and 40% blend? Just want to get the right thing. Thanks again.
I do that all the time
Great tip, thanks for sharing! The only sheets I’ve used before for quilt backs are Ikea so it’s good to have a review of another brand!
I don’t have access to target (live in Canada), so just wondering what thread count the sheets you use are so I can start looking for something similar! I have so many tops that just need a back!
I am giving it a try, thanks for the idea of an option 🙂