Quiltmaker #193• QuiltingDaily.com 59
Use with Caution - Bed Sheets
For decades newbie quilters have tried (and often
failed) using bed sheets as backing. It seems like a
no-brainer—they are the perfect size, come in plenty of
colors and patterns, right? Back in the day of hand
quilting, imagine getting your layers basted and, on the
frame, only to fi nd that your beautiful quilting stitch
was being thwarted by the signature tight weave of a
500 thread-count top sheet. Since most quilting these
days is being done by machine, quilters once again are
trying their hand at using bedsheets and still having
similar issues. Even with machine quilting, the needle
has a hard time penetrating the tight weave of a sheet,
and sheets shrink at a diff erent rate than quilting
cotton so you may get unsightly puckers. If you are
trying to be “green” and want eco-friendly options for
your quilting, then reusing a vintage sheet might be
perfect. However, this may not be a backing you want
to use on a quilt that you spent a lot of time making or
want to enter into a show. Here are some tips if you
absolutely must use a sheet:
- Use the best quality sheets you can fi nd.
Inexpensive sheets sometimes shrink unevenly. - Wash it fi rst to shrink it as much as possible.
Sheets shrink at a diff erent rate than quilting
cotton, and you want to avoid unsightly puckers. - Open up all seams on the sheet prior to basting/
loading the quilt on the frame. - Note that needle holes may not disappear if you
make a mistake.
Whatis themostunusualfabricyou
haveusedfora quiltback?I usedterryclothononesoI couldtake
it tothebeacheasily.I quiltedin a big
crosshatchandit workedgreat.It wore
reallywell,honestly,andI'mnoteven
surewhateverhappenedtoit. Biggest
tip:pre-shrinkeverythingbeforecon-
struction.Terrycanshrinka lotsoget
thatoverwithusinga hotwash/dry.SarifabricI gotfromShrutiDendekar.
I actuallyhaven’twashedit, thoughI’m
sureit wouldbetotallyfine.Thehand
is similartoa voile.It’sdreamy.Also,re-
ally,reallythickpolyesterfleeceona t-
shirtquilt...withthewraparoundcheat-
erbindingtoo!So.Very.Thick.AndI
useda nicethickpolybatting!Thatwas
myfirstquiltever,thoughI don’tre-
allythinkofit asa quilt.It’ssooothick!
I sewedthatwraparoundbindingby
MACHINE!I can’tbelievemymachine
atthetimehandledit. Also,whydid
thosenoseyworkersatJoann’snot
suggestsomethingelsefortheback?TeresaTeresaCoatesCoates
EmilyLang
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We asked our quilty friends:
More ideas on page 60.