You would have had a field day at Wal*Mart yesterday. They had some fairly decent fabric for $1 a yard. The wanted to move it out. I never thought about buying a load for backing my quilts. =:-O
Seams are a real pain if you hand quilt. After the the first few quilts I started to look for another way.... I don't remember who told me about using colored sheets.
I wash and preshrink everything before I use it, including whatever backing I'm going to use. I also like to see if anything bleeds, usually the dark browns and reds. I make sure these are all bled out before I use them.
Hummmmmmmm... there's an idea. Using a "throw" as a backing. That might be hard to hand quilt. Do you hand or machine quilt.
I wondered about using flannel for a backing after reading this group. I would think it would add warmth to the quilt. I don't find handmade quilts as warm as store bought comforters.
\> As for thread count, you're worrying too much. You don't want gauze,
I buy 300 and 400 ct for our beds. They last a long time and I don't see this pilling someone mentioned.
Did you try washing them a few times to remove all sizing and use a fabric softener in the rinse? That's always worked for "stiff" sheets and pillowcases for me.
I'm definitely going to check that out myself. As I mentioned above, Wal*Mart had a table with everything at $1 a yard yesterday. Some of it would have made a really nice backing. The cheapest I saw at Hancock's was $2 a yard.
She did suggest 'soaking' it for a good 10 min in fabric softener. I may try that when my energy is a bit stronger. I'm getting there. YAY!!!!!!!!
Butterfly (actually MQ'ed a lil bit yesterday and today I picked lettuce from the garden and ONE RIPE RED Tomato)
I've chanced upon some nice feeling cotton fabrics on WalMart's $1 per yard table. You have to search thru some- a LOT!- of perfectly awful fabric, but there will be a gem every once in a while. I've found some pretty nice flannels on that table, too, which I bought for snuggle quilt backings to donate. Go for it!
Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.
On Fri, 8 Feb 2008 22:19:32 -0600, Marie Dodge wrote (in article ):
I use quilting fabric or muslin most of the time. I've never tried using a sheet.
Maureen
I usually use fabric, sometimes pieced as quilt backings. If you use a sheet remember it is difficult to hand quilt. Works well though.
If it is a utility quilt that is made to be used, I look in thrift stores or "sale" stores like Ross for them.
Happy quilting,
Lenore
Tumble drying also makes things softer.
We have a few tomatoes in the greenhouse, as well as a few pepper plants but the short days have them producing erratically.
The flannel backing sounds really good to me. This time of the year they're looking forward to unloading the "winter" type fabrics where I live.
I wouldn't buy fabric at walmart if it was a quarter a yard. The quality tends to be poor. They start with cheaper griege goods. When I can get LQS fabric for less than 3 bucks a yard why would I buy cheap walmart fabric?
The lady that does hand quilting for customers in this area won't accept sheets for backing because they're harder to needle. The first longarm quilter I ever used wouldn't accept sheets for backing either, they caused tension problems.
Thanks. I'll try soaking it first and then giving it a L O N G tumble dry--low heat about an hour might help?
Butterfly (sure would hate NOT being able to use them at all.)
A long tumble isn't necessary but the fabric softener is. I use a regular setting on my dryer, even Gentle would work.
They make really nice backings in both solid or prints. I just picked up a Queen size flat sheet today for the quilt I'm now making templates for for $10.00. It's 300 ct and the color of muslin.
I haven't had a problem hand quilting using sheets.
I did stop at the local Goodwill store and found some nice material for .99 and a handmade quilted pillow cover (also .99) that looks old. I heard they sometimes have old quilts donated and sell them for $3.99 to $4.99. Someone's granny dies, they don't know the value of old quilts and dump them in the Goodwill bin.
Our LQS lady has a 50-off sale every December to reduce her inventory. Another couple of times a year, she does 40% off everything except brand-new arrivals. I try to stock up then. Our WalMart's fabric is just yukky. I'm jealous of you all who actually find good buys on the $1-a-yard table. There's just never anything good here. If you're lucky enough to actually find a cotton fabric, it's so thin you can see through it.
Sherry
Thanks. So its the softener that does the trick. Glad you clarified it.
Good.
Our LQS lady has a 50-off sale every December to reduce her inventory. Another couple of times a year, she does 40% off everything except brand-new arrivals.
Our local fabric store was put our of business by Wally World. But she had a very small selection and seldom got anything new in. What I liked about her store was the individual attention and she'd order anything you needed in the way to sewing notions.
I try to stock up then. Our WalMart's fabric is just yukky. I'm jealous of you all who actually find good buys on the $1-a-yard table. There's just never anything good here. If you're lucky enough to actually find a cotton fabric, it's so thin you can see through it.
Not always. You have to be there at the right time.
Sherry
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.