Quilt Patchwork Patterns

I have a hard time with making the back of my quilt, do you use a sheet or regular fabric?

I had one person tell me you can use a sheet another told me not to ever do that. What are your suggestions?

Public Comments

1. Use 100% cotton quilters fabric, not a sheet. You probably will have to piece the back together. Make it a few inches larger than the quilt top. If you plan to machine quilt, use safety pins to pin together the quilt sandwich of backing, batting, and the quilt top, starting in the center of the quilt and working your way out. Pins should be every 4-6" across the entire quilt top. You can baste with a needle and thread about every 8-10 inches to hold the pieces together if you plan to quilt by hand.
2. I have only been successful with using fabric. The thread count in sheets is usually too high and it puckers. If you don't want to piece fabric to get the size you need; (assuming you need over the standard 45" fabric) larger backings are available. I think the widest I have seen is 110" wide. You should also think about how much time you have into putting the top together. You won't want it all wonky because of a bad backing. Good luck!
3. I have used sheets as backing with no problems. The trick is to use cheap sheets. You do not want the high thread count type. They are just too tightly woven to work your needle thru easily. If you are having problems with wrinkles, you need to make sure to stretch the backing out and tape it to the floor. Then top with the batting and your quilt top. Start pinning in the center and keep working out smoothing as you go. Start quilting from the center also. If it looks like your backing is getting wrinkles, you can always lay it out and re-pin. While it's great to have absolutely perfect everything, a couple wrinkles in the backing ain't such a tragedy.
4. I guess you could use a regular bed sheet if the thread count is above 200,i wouldn't go any higher than that. But you have to take into consideration how this quilt will be used. If it's one that will require alot of machine washing,say a childs quilt. I would use 100% quilter's fabric and piece it together. It does make it easier to use a sheet. But i use muslin or a good quality 100% cotton fabric and piece it if i have to. By the time it's quilted you can't tell. You do what ever makes you happy. There is no Quilt police. If there was i'd be in jail..lol.. The whole concept of quilting has changed so much. You do what ever is easiest for you. Anything goes now.
5. muslin unbleached works really well we have used it on every quilt we have made my mom and i make lots of them we hand baste it then quilt it is going to quilt it
6. Don't use a sheet on a quilt you have invested your time and energy into. Using a sheet will detract from the beauty of your work, and no matter the type of quilt it is still beautiful when handmade. You can find fabric 110 inches wide at your local fabric store or online. You can even piece a backing to contrast the front of your quilt.
7. Hi, I usually use a sheet but not one that has a high % of polycotton. The Quilt Police would say that you MUST use 100% cotton but unless you are showing your quilt at a high level this is not necessary. Best Wishes Jane www.curvycreations.co.uk
8. guess it is your prefernces ...If you have a sheet that looks good and will hold up as well as the fabrics you have on front..then go for it.Also depends on what quilt is for a child who wont really crae about backing...or a gift etc to someone you want to last for awhile and look good. But actually either can work, i have done both. I recently made a larger quilt with a piece of fabric meant to be a crib quilt (pre printed ) used sheeting for backing and used sheeting squares, some matching ,and a few coordinating to border the center
9. Use regular fabric, the same kind that was used on the top. To get a large enough back, sew together enough fabric the length and width of the quilt top.