Valerie Ann

I collected about 22 pairs of jeans and want to make a rag quilt out of them. Are there any tips for cutting up the jeans into squares? Anyone been there and done that? I would like to learn from your experiences. Thanks!

valleyquiltermo

I cut long strips a wide as I can get then I cut into same size blocks. like if your long leg strip is 5" wide then I cut 5" blocks, you can also mix in smaller longer blocks like bricks that makes it pretty.I use flannel for the back of each block so that it is 2 layers, flannel and jeans then sew them together.
Clear as mud??

chairjogger

I used jean fabric and found it to be so very heavy. Using pockets, embelishments from the jeans, jean skirts and shirts. I had the best fun ! But the result was too heavy.

Humm.. Good luck.. plan your size. be open to the weight of the final product and let that decide your size.

Ell

MoanaWahine

I have even left the outside seams alone and cut squares that way. Adds a little extra to some of the blocks. Otherwise just like what "valleyquitermo" stated.

Lori S

I try to get them to be flat so I can use my rotary cutter . So cut either the out side or inside seam. I like to keep the flat feld seam for potenial use , so most time I don"t cut that seam. Do be mindful od the straight of grain, its easy to see on jeans. I do keep the remains once I have cut squares, there may be enough to cut triangles , and then make into squares, it can add a bit more interest , and if you are running short of sqaures be very good to have on hand.
I almost forgot--- Use a new blade or close to a new blade in your cutter. I dull blade will make it tough going.

QM

I did a double wedding ring with used denim appliqued onto bandana fabric. (actually 2, one bed sized and one baby sized) It worked fairly well and was not as heavy as an all denim quilt top. Around here, people mainly do the denim rag quilts with flannel backing and no batting. It is still heavy. I used my seam ripper to help fringe the edges, even so, it was very time consuming. A few pieces which I cut out were on a convenient line for the fabric I had, rather than straight of grain. That was a mistake. They did not fringe nicely.

Quilterfay

Do you have a picture of the Dobule Wedding Ring. I would love to see that.

Havplenty

i would also!

Prism99

Be careful of your hands when cutting jeans up! This is the type of job that can really do a number on your joints, tendons, etc.

What helped me was using a cordless electrical shears to cut off the seams and waistbands. I have an old one, but there may be similar versions on Amazon. You need the kind that can cut through heavy fabric. Mine goes through jeans fabric like butter!

Even after I got the jeans fabric flat, I developed hand problems cutting it into squares with my rotary cutter and ruler. I decided it's not worth damaging the joints in my thumb and index finger with this kind of project, so now I have a jeans UFO in the closet to add to all my other UFOs!

chick30116

I made 2 of the rag quilts out of denim jeans that had blocks of the 50 states embroideried on them and cotton fabric for the top and flannel for the back. I also put flannel in the middle instead of batting. I will agree with them being so heavy. Do not try to wash them in your home washer. I took the 2 quilts to the laundromat. I washed them in a washer that does 4 load size. I do not go to the laundromat as a rule, so I really didn't know how these washers work. After my quilts were in the washer for about an hour I decided to ask if my washer was stuck. Not only was it stuck, the drain had stopped up. The lady was really nice about it. She said that she was glad that I didn't try to wash them at home because I would have had a really bad problem. The good part about it was that all that time in the washer really made the seams ravel good.
Good luck Wyvonne