Pillowcases Used to Be Prettier

Just look at what I unearthed in the sewing room! There were nine pillowcases, making taped together into two bundles. I didn't save the tape, but I think they were marked a dollar each. 

That would've been a great price, but I've never seen these before. My best guess is that Grandma sent them home to me in a box of estate sale leftovers and I didn't see them tucked in between a bunch of white sheets.

I don't agree with the sentiment, but this one is going on my pillow.

The border on this one looks crocheted. That's one of the skills on my own to-learn list, but when and if I ever do an edging it's going to be wide enough that it won't be mistaken for buttonhole stitch!

I'll run them through the washer on gentle and see which ones look sturdy enough to actually use. The white ones are fair game, but if the pretty ones seem too delicate I may figure out a different use for them.

Knitting old rags into lace?

I've been tearing some white estate sale sheets into 1 1/2" strips and joining them into a ball so I can make this --



Knitting old rags into lace? That's right up my alley! And a great way to use up some sheets that aren't quite thick enough or white enough for quilting with.

The strips are joined kind of like a daisy chain, following these instructions. If the knitting is as easy as I expect it to be, this'll be the lengthiest part of the project. The same designer also has a free pattern for a Rag Bath mat.

Weekly Stash Report 5/20/12

Nothing in, nothing out...

Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 27.75 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 97.25 yards
Flung --36 yards (96 yards total ytd)
Net Added for 2012: 65.5 yards

WFMW - old sheets as quilt backings

I think I'm one of the world's biggest fans of old sheets as quilt backing. They're a whole lot cheaper than yardage. They're (mostly) big enough to do a back without seams. And some of them are really pretty. If you're patient, you're bound to find a perfect backing for whatever you're working on. I keep my eye out for colors I know I'm likely to use for an upcoming project.

I've read cautions against using sheets as quilt backings, but after washing and abusing these quilts for the past couple of years, I haven't had any trouble that can be blamed on the sheets. I've quilted them on my Janome and on my mother's longarm. I don't hand quilt, not yet at least, so I can't offer any opinions there.



(Yes, that is Duct Tape on the top quilt. No, I don't know why it's there -- ask my sons. If you know how to get the residue off, please let me know!)

If you're buying old sheets at the thrift store, make sure to unfold them and check them for damage -- fading...rips...cigarette burns (ugh!) The centers of some sheets can be worn thin, so watch for that, too.

Figure out how much it would cost to back you quilt with the cheapest yardage you're likely to buy. Then compare that amount to the price of the sheet you're considering. What at first seemed like way too much can actually be a decent deal if you consider what you'd be spending otherwise. Especially if it's the perfect color or pattern.

I'm not suggesting that you back a top pieced from expensive quilt shop fabric with an old sheet. But for scrappy quilts, they can be the perfect option. Often, I've got more invested in the sheet I use for the backing than the top of the quilt! It can be a great solution for tops that started out as an experiment, that I don't want to sink much more money into.

Want to win a set of vintage sheets? Go to my last post to enter. For more Works for me Wednesday posts, visit We are THAT family.