You can do anything you want to. Think about the quilts of Gees Bend. Some people find sheets difficult to work with because of their high thread count compared to quilt cotton, but most modern sewing machines can sew through anything. So go for it and show us pictures when you're done.

Thanks for pointing out Gees Bend... I was just reading up on using dye to color a few of them.

Cheers,
Michelle

All of my quilts so far have been from bed sheets! I use more solids in my quilting than I do prints. It might mean you are drawn toward certain types of patterns and designs more than others, but a little bit of print goes a long way if you use enough of an assortment of the plain fabric. I'm doing an Eye of God string quilt now from recycled bed sheets. As soon as I get a few more blocks done, I'll post a picture.

I'd check what the fabric content is (cotton or poly/cotton blend). Specially if one is going to dye it, will absolutely make a difference.

Since these are thrift goods, unless they were still in their package w/ the original label, you'll likely have to do some burn tests to find this out.

Pls. work over an ash tray, pull some threads off the side of the sheet & light them w/ a match over the ash tray, watch their reaction & notice the smell.

All cotton goods will likely smell like burning paper & make a feathery, dusty, soft ash.

A poly cotton blend (either 60/40 or 50/50) will likely smell more like burning chemicals or plastic & when you burn the threads, they'll form a little ball which is hard & brittle. That's the poly reacting (the cotton content just burns away unnoticeably).

Hope this helps!

Thanks Pirate, I will check before I dye.

One sheet became a set of pillow cases, a nice pair of pajama bottoms, and a bunch of quilt squares. It's amazing how much fabric there is in a King size sheet!

Cheers,
Michelle

If you machine quilt or tie your quilts, you won't have any problems using the sheets, but if you hand quilt, it may be slow and difficult going through the heavier sheets.

Teresa

I use old sheets to make braided rugs - if you're interested do a search for "Aunt Polly's toothbrush rugs"

I also used them to recover my patio swing cushions.My DIL gave me some(like new) that she didn't need as she got a new and different size bed.I cut them up into crib sheets for my GGS,and pillow cases.
Almost anything you can use fabric for,you can use sheets for.
Kathi

When I get sheets for that cheap, I cut them up and use them for foundation pieces for string quilts....

I've not had good luck using sheets for quilt backs...must be the different weight than the top...I'm a machine only quilter, but someday will learn how to hand quilt if only to have take-along projects!

Cheers...Cindy

If they are solids, IMO, they should be fine in quilt blocks as a background. Or in a block with all solids. But if you plan to mix solids and prints/tone on tones, be aware that a "solid" will visually jump out and seem "stronger" than a print or tone-on-tone will. Which may or may NOT be what you want. I'd make a test block before cutting up a bunch to incorporate into a quilt top.

Sorry I can't resist this....
Me, here in Indiana...
I'd use them to tie up my tomatoes plants! :)

Janice in Indiana who is thinking of spring. We had a record breaking temp. of 67 yesterday!