A flat twin sheet. From IKEA.
I have been looking for the perfect sashing and I think this is it. This flat sheet (100% cotton) cost about $5.00. I did some math and it is equivalent to 4.25 yards of fabric. That's a GREAT deal and I don't need a coupon when I decide to stock up. I love that it's lighter weight than Kona Cotton or Quilter's Only Cotton (from JoAnn's), but heavier weight than bleached muslin. It's a nice creamy white, which blends well with both white and cream toned fabrics. It's so easy to use and frays very little. I have used sheets to back quilts occasionally, but until now, that was about it. After a test drive using it for sashing, I think I'm hooked!
You can see in the photo the scrap project I worked on to test the fabric. I'm (a little) obsessed with these little stars, which finish at 6" square. Eeek!
I'm curious, what's your favorite sashing?
I have been wondering what to use for white sashing! YOU answered my question! thank you! I tried the muslin. I bought a whole bolt! But.... I sure didn't like it. Too thin! Before that I had been buying small pieces of white fabric at the discount store. When I use a lot of white...they don't match. So glad you solved my little problem!
ReplyDeletei'm so relieved to hear that even amanda jean likes using sheets :] i'm an ikea fiend and have an awful habit of re-purposing sheets for quilt fabric, because it crinkles so wonderfully. i switch between that and just plain ol' 2.99/ yd white cotton from hobby lobby, mostly because it's more convenient.
ReplyDeletelove your blog. you're the coolest!
I've always used Kona cotton, mainly because I love the Snow colored and because I bought a bolt when I worked at a quilt shop ( i sure miss that 40% discount) I only know how to hand quilt so I havent tried a sheet yet but it sounds like I should! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like sheets too!!! I am not as experienced a quilter as you are, but I have used sheets a couple of times and love them! I used an old pillow case on my last doll quilt. It was so soft!
ReplyDeleteAnd sheets are so cheap! I especially like to buy them at thrift stores. Then I end up with yards of fabric for only a dollar or two. I'm so glad you mentioned using sheets!
Thank you so much for posting about this! I just moved near an Ikea, and this is a great idea. You rock!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm gonna pick some up next time I'm at IKEA!
ReplyDeleteI use Kona Muslin from Joanns...it's a bright white and super soft. It's a bit thin, but in combo with Warm and White - no color from the backing shows through. I love it, but it's pricey, so I always use a coupon. But 5 bucks for 4 yards! You can't beat that anywhere!
love those stars. and i have no sashing advice. lazy me doesn't sash.
ReplyDeletegreat to hear that the IKEA sheets work well! I think I'm going to need to stock up on some of those once my bleached muslin is gone. Good by stray threads showing though! Woohoo!
ReplyDeleteCurrently experimenting with the 100% cotton broadcloth from Mill End ($1.99/yd sale)... white would not stay white in this house!
ReplyDeleteGood tip at a great price! I can't believe it's 100% cotton!
ReplyDeleteHorray! Thanks for the advice! (I usually do whatever you do, so I have no other recommendations! hahaha)
ReplyDeleteBut how does it quilt?
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a sashing person, but I have used Kona in the past.
This is SUCH a good idea. I have used muslin in the past, but think I would like this better, being a little heftier and all.
ReplyDeleteHave you quilted with knits? I'm about to embark on a quilt using my daughter's baby clothes, and they are almost all cotton knits. I was thinking of using my husband's old white tshirts for sashing, since they are about the same weight and stretch. I'm okay with the piecing...but quilting knits sounds pretty intimidating. What do you think?
Another reason I wish I lived by an ikea! When I go visit one I'll have to stock up- thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteAnother great idea! I sure do love IKEA linens!
ReplyDeleteI know you're not a prewasher in general, but did you prewash this? It seems to me that new linens shrink a bit more than regular fabric, but I haven't done any scientific experiments. :-)
Darn - Ikea doesn't let you order those on line - I'll have to stick to joann's quilters choice. Or maybe make people I know who live close to ikea's get them for me.
ReplyDeleteit's funny that you wrote about this, as I've recently been contemplating using white sheets as well... like you, I don't totally love the muslin, and the Kona can get expensive... now I just wish we had an IKEA here!
ReplyDeletelove those stars, of course!!
You are so clever! Love, LOVE those stars that you're working on.
ReplyDeleteCute little stars! I have a running list of things I NEED at ikea, this is going on it :) I don't do much sashing either but I have liked having white on hand, and I might do more sashing with an inexpensive option!
ReplyDeletethat is a very great deal! i wish have an ikea close to my city (in México we haven't an ikea stores) my fav sashing is a cotton fabric made for the men's shirts. is about 54" and is heavier weith than regular cotton. it cost $55 pesos per metre (like $4 us dollars) and they have some colors availables! so that is a great option to me!
ReplyDeleteAwesome price and looks nice! Ikea is further away and wayyyy less convenient than JoAnn's even. Darn.
ReplyDeleteBEST IDEA EVER!! With all the white I use this will save me so much money... definitely going to give this a try. Thanks for the tip!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that - I shall rush out and buy some!! I use sheets all the time but have never really found one I have really loved - I'm glad to hear that other quilters use sheets too!
ReplyDeleteOh! I am going to go to IKEA and stock up on white!!! I have used some of their sheets for backings, skirts for my daugther, curtains, pillowcases etc....so this is an excellent idea :) Thank you so much for the tip!
ReplyDeletetarget also has really nice single sheets that are 250 thread count, so soft and super silky feeling 100% cotton that I love for backing and sashing. Quilts up gorgeous and crinkles amazing. I have been using target/ikea sheets for a while now, and am totally hooked for solid fabric- the width alone hooked me entirely.
ReplyDeleteI love your stars! I've been using Kona or muslin, I'll have to try those sheets next. The little guy was just asking today when we would go ot Ikea again (he loves their breakfast!) Now I have a perfect reason to go.
ReplyDeleteI heart Kona Snow, but I like your ikea sheet idea!
ReplyDeleteBased on your recommendation from 100 years ago, I've been using Kona muslin from Joann. I really don't think it's too thin and LOVe the bright white color of it. I'd love to try the Ikea sheets, but alas, no Ikea here!! Bummer! Now what do I do???
ReplyDeleteI use sheets in various parts of my quilt. I used white sheets for the sashing on my 9 patch quilts. I also use it for backing and binding. Most of my local stores will put sheets on sale at various times of the year. I will also buy pillowcases for piecing.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try those sheets, thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteI buy white quilt fabric by the bolt, my LQS sells it for 25% off if you take the full bolt, but it's still not the deal of the Ikea sheets.
You actually named my two fave sashings... Kona and Quilter's Only cottons. I've seen those Ikea sheets and thought of getting them for backings... I've used sheets for queen-sized quilts and I like how they feel.
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with stars too... I have to stop myself from making another one so soon lol
Great idea! I wish we had an IKEA here....
ReplyDeleteI currently am using a bolt of Kona muslin. No issues so far..can't really complain!
Great thinking! Thanks for sharing. Ikea better be ready for their sheet sales to increase ;)
ReplyDeleteI only recently used Kona cotton for the first time on a project and didn't totally love it, so I'm looking for alternates for other solids, especially for sashing. There's a nice cotton at my local fabric store that I like the texture of but I have no idea what it's called, unfortunately! For Canadians, it's part of that solid cotton quilting line at Fabricland.
ReplyDeleteI dare you to use Blue! or Pink!
ReplyDelete;-P
hugs
(gotta love ikea!)
Thanks for the tip. I've been looking for a great sashing too lately. Muslin is a little too thin for my liking. I'm not even sure what I picked up last time I was at the store. I'm going to try out this IKEA sheet. What a great idea. For backs too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I forgot to tell you how much I love those stars! LOVE them. I just did one with Heather Ross bikes with pink and orange. Here it is: http://leighleighlumpkin.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-is-finished.html
ReplyDeleteThings like sheets are SO much cheaper in America! You guys are so lucky.
ReplyDelete(Incidentally, I just posted about my queen sized string quilt.... 3000 or so pieces in 4" squares. Took 7 months to complete. I can really understand the allure of the tiny stars. It takes so long to get anywhere but the feeling of accomplishment when you finish is well worth it!)
Oh I wish I lived closer to Ikea. It's a good 3 hours from here. That's such a great value.
ReplyDeleteWow. My little 95, almost 96 year old Granny has been using sheets for the backing for a while. She doesn't do sashing. She keeps hers simple. Thanks for the information. By the way, I have my Give Away posted. It is for one of Grannys quilts. Her quilts are not perfect but are done with love and prayers.
ReplyDeleteIKEA is fantastic for inexpensive fabrics - sometimes you can buy them by the yard.... Unfortunately, my local IKEA is 5 and a half hours from here!
ReplyDeleteAnd Elizabeth - the solid quilter's line at Fabricland is from Heritage, if it's the one I'm thinking of.. $10/m. right?
what a fantastic and very thrifty idea... I think I might make a trip to ikea on the weekend
ReplyDeleteEverything from IKEA is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWOW - what a fantastic idea. I have one in Adelaide (Australia) and I am sure I owe it a visit pretty soon!! I wouldn't have thought of sheeting as they tend to have an open weave (the cheaper sheets). Does this IKEA one have a fairly close weave? As someone else commented, do you need to wash it first? I probably would, just in case.
ReplyDeleteI have just finished a quilt using Layer Cakes to make 40" stars (4 stars to the quilt). I am really wanting to do another quilt with stars and wonky houses.
Thanks for a fantastic and inspirations blog (only found you yesterday).
:o) xxx
What a great idea! I haven't been to Ikea in forever! Now I have a great excuse to go. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your great find! That's a fantastic price. IKEA here I come.
ReplyDeleteI just finished my very first quilt (pat myself on the back), and I used bleached muslin. I tried searching online for other ideas of what to use but didn't have any luck. I wish I had seen this before, but I guess I will know for the future. Thanks for the tip. BTW, do you think the muslin will hold up okay? I will be so devastated if it doesn't hold up and my whole quilt is ruined.
ReplyDeleteActually sheet user myself--We don't have ikea near us, but Target has some fun basic colors that go on sale for 5 dollars occasionally...glad to see that a 'real' quilter uses them too! = )
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother (born around the turn of the 20th century) used to use sheets a lot in her quilting. As well, of course, as old clothes! So many of her quilts I recognize as Grandma's dresses. But Grandma used to hand quilt everything, and that's a little more difficult with densely woven sheets. My grandma was tough!
ReplyDeleteI've used sheets for backing before, but my nine patch (90 down, 30 to go for a queen) is my first attempt at sashing.
ReplyDeleteI have an ikea quite close by, so I'll be checking out their linens when its time to sash.
(Though I will admit to being selfish and holding out until I hear how you like the sheet for quilting ...)
Sarah
I absolutely love the idea of using sheets, but everything I've ever heard/read says not to, although now I cannot remember why! I think it would be great for backing, too. I do my quilting by machine on a frame, so I don't know if that would make a difference. Anybody know?!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Kristine
Genius! I've just used some lightweight fabric of Ikea's for the back of my latest quilt. It was really lovely 100% cotton and soft like a well loved piece of fabric. And 150cm wide! I'm wondering if we've got those sheets in Australia....you never know. I also picked up some lime green hippos which I was inspired to purchase after I saw the back of your ticker tape quilt. Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip!! Just in time too - I am going to IKEA next week (I only make it about once a year). I will stock up for sure.
ReplyDeleteLove your stars. I try to avoid IKEA, but I think I'll have to give it another try. I have noticed you have used several cool things from IKEA so I guess it is worth dealing with the crowds.
ReplyDeleteI have a sheet that has some stains on one side and was going to be relegated to the "furniture coverings for when we paint" pile, but I think it might just need to be harvested for quilting. ;] Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteI love the crisp look of the sashing and the blocks! They are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny that you posted this because I just started using sheets for sashing! I don't have an IKEA, but I just got a Wal-mart brand sheet for $4. It was only 250 thread count so I didn't think it would be great but I was going to use it for the back of some mini quilts/wall hangings so it didn't really matter. But I was shocked to discover that after washing it was so soft!!! It quilted up nicely, too, and looked every bit as good as quilter's cotton, so I started using it as sashing, too!
ReplyDeleteawesome idea, thanks for sharing. i am going to have to store some up next time i get to IKEA...i guess i don't really have a favorite since i am not very good at sashing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see this post. I bought a set of Queen sheets of this same type at Ikea a while back and didn't like them for sheets when I got them home. No way was I going to go back and return them since they cost about $10 for top and bottom. So I guiltily cut up the top sheet and have been using it when I need lights. It works wonderfully. No I know I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteHow do I make those stars?!! They are so cheery!
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly new to your blog but I have to say I just love it and find it so inspiring! Thanks!
Ikea is great...thanks for the sheet idea!
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I too have been frustrated finding thicker white for sashing, etc.
ReplyDeleteI have been using thrifted sheets for white lately, too. they're so soft, and so cheap. I just got a 100% cotton king for $2 - sweet!
Gotta plan an ikea trip now!
Fantastic idea...because with the money I have saved by purchasing the sheets...well, it just means I can spend more on prints!!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get a sheet for $5? Do you wash it before you use it.
ReplyDeleteoh goody, another reason to bug DH to take me to Ikea!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip!! I like how you make all of the mistakes for me!! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this tip!! I live very close to an IKEA and now I'll have a neverending supply of sashing!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Yet another reason on my long list to finally go and see what ikea's all about. I love those little stars, they look so perfect!
ReplyDeleteI use flat sheets from Tesco (supermarket in the UK), and I've been most successful with that. I've tried various things from the fabric shop with limited success - if it's sturdy then it's not soft, and if it's soft then it frays too much!
ReplyDeleteOur Ikea is miles away, but next time I go I'll be sure to spend a small fortune on flat sheets from there to stock up until next time!
www.becky.shropshireborn.com
Those stars are just darling!
ReplyDeleteI have been using Kona cotton or muslin, but find one too heavy, and the other a bit too see through.
The nearest IKEA is 10 minutes from my house, so I'll head over soon...
OMG: this is such a great idea!!! A few years ago I had a job at IKEA (but I didn't quilt at that time) I will go and buy some next time I visit. Last time I bought some fabric there from the bolt. It's called Cecilia and it has nice big orange and pink flowers on it: perfect for a backing. And I bought a SNUDDA, after I read this tutorial on how to make a turntable ironing board. It's such a great invention!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://redwork-in-germany.blogspot.com/2007/04/ikea-hack-turntable-ironing-board.html
cute stars :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice idea for sashing!
I like using organic cotton from Jo-ann's for the texture and feel of it but it frays easily.
Would love to explore more in this area :)
Great idea, and cute stars! I don't have an Ikea anywhere remotely close to me - you are lucky! I love shot cotton, but I just tried quilter's unbleached muslin, and am in loooooove.
ReplyDeleteSashing??? I'm sorry, I can't concentrate on sashing -- I'm too busy trying to brush that sheet aside so I can see those ADORABLE scrappy stars!!!
ReplyDeleteI mostly use bleached muslin, and I actually do like it. It can be very soft, and sometimes the Kona ends up being too bulky. I'm going to give the Ikea sheet thing a try, though, because that is a KILLER deal!
ReplyDeleteI too, look for sale sheets. My favorite has been to repurpose turquoise bedsheets from Target (if on sale) and usually good sheets found at garage and estate sales. Recently I've been quite fond of white. Thanks for the IKEA tip!
ReplyDeleteI am so relieved to see that you're using these sheets. I bought some of these sheets a few years ago for the basement, and decided to try using one of them for a quilt. It seemed a little thin, but I wasn't sure. I'm going to keep going now. I agree that it doesn't fray much, but I'm having a very hard time cutting it in a straight line. I can't figure out what to do differently. Anyway, thanks so much for your posts about sashing. I was in need of the tutorial the other day, too. Both of these posts come at the perfect time.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm really jealous - not only do we not have an IKEA in Alaska, they won't even ship here! Its crazy, you have to have them mail the order to the barge .... you can imagine the hassle!
ReplyDeleteWill you be leaving measurements for the stars? I love, love, love stars and yours are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCool idea ... I only wish that we had an IKEA here in Raleigh-Durham. I might have to do some bartering with my online friends for IKEA goods!
ReplyDeleteI love Ikea and I've always wondered if their sheets were any good for quilting! Thanks for that info! I've used scraps from an Ikea Duvet Cover, which I think was a bit like Muslin, but once quilted and washed, looked fab! Yayy!!! Next time I'm in ikea, watch out ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have heard that sheets are hard to quilt through... (I am guessing percale high thread count sheets) I know some long armers who will not use them.
ReplyDeleteHave you had nay "issues?"
I love the idea though - we do not use the flat sheet... (Are we weird?)
Personally I use Kona cotton - usually color snow.
awesome! Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely be picking up some of those the next time I'm at IKEA. I bet a little RIT dye could turn those sheets into some other colors for sashing too
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea! I love IKEA.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I use whatever is availabel at the time, Joann fabrics,Walmart,muslin but thank you for the heads up. I have been meaning to get to Ikea for the sheets now I have to go for a new bookcase and will stock up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Too bad Ikea is 1.5 hours from me. I'll have to give it a try next time I drive by. My only option for sashing is Kona Cotton and I really like it, maybe because I don't know any different!
ReplyDeleteI bought two sheets for $2/each last spring from Ikea. I intend to make some easy throws out of them...or something.
ReplyDeleteQuestion - can you tell me the size of your baby quilt and the size of the little blocks? I want to make one.
Thanks!
I'm a huge fan of RK Carolina Chambray. It adds such nice texture.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to read your post about quilt shop fabric vs. retail fabric. And I was really glad to see this post today! I am often searching for items that are of quality but a little easier on the pocketbook! Thanks for sharing this tidbit of information!
ReplyDeletestupid ?... what is sashing?
ReplyDeleteTaia
would you post the measurements for the tiny star blocks I LOVE THEM!
ReplyDeleteI usually lurk around here, but this post made me REALLY feel the need to say THANK YOU! I love "finding" different things to use in my quilting.More importantly, I also (REALLY!)love seeing such a well watched and respected quilter giving other people a license to do the same. So, thank you!
ReplyDeletefor some reason, i am a --the simpler, the better-- kind of sewer. I just want to be done, when i am done. :)
ReplyDeleteI had good luck using the Target sheets for a backing. I looked EVERYWHERE for solid aqua to go with my bedroom when I had the brilliant idea to try sheets. I machine quilted it in lines and it came out nicely.
ReplyDeleteIKEA here I come...thanks for the great tip!!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post, I realized that I had two white, 300 thread count sheets I'd bought for a duvet cover that I never made. I used a seam-ripper to open all the hems then washed it. That gave me over 1000 square inches extra, or the equivalent of 24" of 44-45" wide material. I was surprise how little it frayed. Used it with a stash of yellows to make a 60" square zig-zag pattern from your site. Thanks for both ideas.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this tip! I bought one of these last week for a couple of my projects and it's great to find something that looks good and is cost-effective too :)
ReplyDeleteI'm also an IKEA addict. I will totally use their sheets. I have been needing some navy and black and don't want to spend 50 dollars.
ReplyDeleteI went to IKEA and couldn't remember the kind of sheet you recommended so I went for a slightly more expensive $10 one. After I opened it I realized it is not 100% cotton and seems a little see-through. Do you recommend 100% cotton or should I give this a shot?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
run_13.1---i would REALLY recommend 100% cotton.
ReplyDeleteaj
Bad news! Dvala twin flat sheet is now 8.99....boo! but I still bought one :)
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to add a slight warning! I've been using one of these in a quilt and it's scorched quite noticeably. One of my friends has also noticed a similar problem on her quilt too.
ReplyDeleteI've used parts of the same sheet in a previous quilt without problem so I don't think it's down to too high a heat or a bad batch. It could be that my current blocks in particular are teeny with huge numbers of seams so the sheer quantity of pressing involved is too much for the fabric.
At any rate, I just wanted to warn people to be careful and to test the fabric first with the iron they're going to use to make sure you don't hit the same problems.
It's frustrating because this is good value fabric, but now I'm scared to use it for anything!