Cutting Up Jeans for Fabric
 

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!

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??

jeans as fabric
 

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

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.

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.

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.

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

i would also!

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!

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

Check the jeans first for the stretch kind and throw them out. I have done a lot of cutting before realizing that they were stretch. You dont want to have to deal with that when sewing. Aovid the front panel knees because even if they are not showing wear, they are most likely stretched out. If you need more, try going to a thrift/resale shop and ask for any that can't be sold. I have gotten many pairs that had one leg ripped while the other was good, or the hems ruined but the rest were fine. Also, if you have some left, two legs and a waistband make a great bag.

I made a ragged jean quilt and I really like it. I used both dark and light jean material and appliqued a few stars on it. I used red plaid flannel for the backing. The biggest problem with a ragged jean quilt is washing it after you get all the cutting done. I was afraid that laundry-mat might fine me, it made such a mess.

My daughter and I made a jeans quilt for her dorm room bed. It was heavy but it wears like iron. Now that she is out of school and has a family of her own she uses it as a picnic blanket!

I too collect jeans for quilting, and have discovered that an entire denim rag quilt is extreamly heavy. Now I tend to use my denim for accents, sashings, or borders. One thing you might could do is decide what size squares you want in your quilt and cut your strips accordingly. Then find other co-ordinating fabrics that will fray nicely to alternate with it. That would decrease the heavy weight of your quilt by half.

My sister had me make her boys winter quilts for their beds from denim and bandana's. Cody's bed was done in denim and red bandana's and his brother Dalton's was done in denim and blue bandana's, he was a blue fanatic. They were very cute. We just made some pillow cases by sewing bandana's together, and she paired them with solid colored sheet sets in red and blue.

I cut along the seams on jeans, then I rotary cut my squares or rectangles.

I have made four or five of them - one larger than the rest (my first) and the others were more lap size. The first one is just denim (single layer) and my son keeps it in his car - great for the beach and river. The others have flannel stitched on the one side of each block and I flip-flopped them when I sewed them together so they look like giant checker boards. For me, the flannel was a great way to use up scraps and on one of them, there really are no matches so it is truly scrappy. I used decorative stitches to stitch down the seams (some of flannel was strip pieced to make blocks). It was a fun way to test out stitches. I also used up all my extra bobbins with different colors and that added some fun to the quilt and used up all those little bits of thread left on bobbins from other projects. They wear forever! I have a 66 quart container full of jeans and my summer project is to get them cut up into squares - not necessarily sewn up, but reduced to a size and readiness. Then, I can use the container for something else. Have fun making your quilts.

On the one I posted pictures of I used the same flannel on one side and scraps on the other side - on others I have used scraps on both sides -- I also found that you can use the stretchy jeans if you are going to "stabalize" them with another fabric on the other side - so far I have not had any problems with them when I have done this.

I used cut up Jeans to make slippers last Christmas, for all the kids in the family. They turned out brilliantly. I also used them to make handbags for all the grownup ladies! They were well recieved and everyone loved them. I am sure other people could give you other ideas on how to use Jeans material.

I can't give you advice on rag quilts, because I have never made one - I don't really like the look of them! However, I must admit that the ones shown here look fantastic! I am sure that whoever you make them for, will be delighted.

I made one for my son. Used about 12 pairs of jeans. I cut the inner leg seams, flattened them out and then cut strips. I used the flat feld seams as decoration on some of the blocks. I aso used some of pockets on the blocks. I made all my blocks 10" by using the strip method. Didn't matter what sized strips just as long as the final block was squared to 10". I used a light weight fleece for the backing. No batting for as everyone else has said it will be a heavy quilt. Also follow suggestion about taking it to the laundromat! My son loved it. I think that will be my one and only as it's a lot of strain on the old hands.

This was good information; I've been saving old jeans for several years with plans to make a rag quilt. Thanks for sharing!

I made a couple for an organization giving them to injured soldiers and I had a bear of a time with the first one. Use a heavier-duty needle in your machine for sure. My machine wasn't working right and when I shook out the quilt, threads kept breaking! It was pure h e double hockey sticks, but I just kept repairing until the quilt held. We were told to use flannel as the batting. Both the quilts I made ended up nice enough but so heavy. They were used to cover soldiers on chilly med planes so I hope the receivers found them cozy enough (I just don't see blue jeans as cozy). I had cut the squares, per specifications, 6-1/2 inches square and people signed the squares with messages of encouragement.

re: jeans for fabric : Things I've done with jeans.....
 

I haven't made a jean quilt yet but have been collecting old jeans and jean skirts for projects ! One year my mom bought jean skirts and shorts , belts, and scarves and I made purses with them for everyone for Christmas!

I bought a new couch and have 4 dogs-duh.Well any way I made a denim and twill quilt to cover the couch to protect it.My daughter quilted it and it is heavy but has protected my couch well.With the thicker fabrics the dogs have not damaged it yet at all.

When I made quilts out of jean fabric, I used rectangles instead of squares. Then I staggered the seams so that I didn't have bulky seams coming together.

I have been collecting jeans also. With mine I decided to cut down all seams to save for a coaster tutorial I found then I cut off the pockets for yet another project that makes potholders out of those. I then cut out the most strips I can and then I decided if I want whole squares or mixtures of strips hst or what the possibilites are endless. Good luck.

Chick 30116, thats a pretty neat story and good advice! I have cut up many pairs of jeans I've collected and have more still to cut. I will be making squares to do a rag quilt so this thread is interesting to me as I have not ever made one yet.
My method albeit good or bad, was to cut along the outer flat feld seams from hem to waist; cut the inside leg seam the same and save those as I saw them used for shoulder straps on a denim handbag! That might come later, lol. I removed the zippers to save, the pockets to save and then I will cut the remaining fabric into squares in whatever sizes I can get out of the fabric. Then I plan to square up as many as possible into "same size" squares. I will then embroidery on some of the squares. Hope that makes sense. I was thinking of using flannel for the back and not sure if any batting.... maybe none?

I've made oversized 9 patch baby quilts with denim on on the back. I just made blocks to fit from the denim. Light weight batting was used and the quilt was birthed. To quilt it I machine stiched on one with a big wavy pattern using red thread. Outlined pocket patterns on one for the quilting and did wonky stars on another. They worked up quick because of all the precut blocks of denim. The quilts are small so the weight is not bad. The denim is good for floors or outdoors. Also very machine washable. Moms and babies love em. The 9 patch pattern is by Anita Grossman Soloman. Quick and easy to do.

I would love to see picture of the quilt. Is one available. Thanks Peg711

I was reading this again today and remembered that I made one from a pattern called "The Free Quilt". It really cost me about $80 by the time I purchased the batting for the back and had it longarmed. It started out with jean blocks and then she pieced scrappy squares around them for a sashing effect. I think the blocks were 2.5" that went around the jeans - I was a little worried about mixing quilting cotton and blue jeans, but with the batting in the middle and flannel on the back it worked out perfect. It's not too heavy either. I keep it in my car and people are always AMAZED when I yank it out and throw it on the grass for picnics. I would definitely make another one if I ever get my box of jeans cut up - lol

Thanks for all of the advice. One final question--backing. I recently made some rag quilts and found that some of the flannel got so pilled after I used it, I just wanted to cry. Which manufacturer or whose flannel do all of you use?

I made this out of jeans for my mom's couch so her dog could get on her couch. I made it up as I went along. I used flannel for the backing and no batting was needed as it would have been way too heavy and it's heavy enough as it is. It's very durable

Easy to do but I found it was heavy making a large size. Just used flannel then tied it with red,white and blue embroidery floss. Gave it to my son. He said it is nice and warm. Has been through washer and dryer many times in the past years. Still looks like new. Maybe you would want to start with a lap size for yourself. Still saving as I would like a lap size for me .

Well, it looks like I am not alone in collecting jeans. It is such a great resource of 'free' fabric, especially if you have your friends give you their old jeans. :)

if you are soing a rag quilt , you don't need a backing ,jean quilts are beautiful but very heavy

I started a quilt with jean blocks and decided it was way to heavy. Then I remembered that my old (92 years) neighbor made rugs for her kitchen floor out of old jeans. They can go in the wash, look cute on the floor. And they wear forever!!

Add me, I would love to see a jeans quilt double wedding ring. It sounds fascinating. I'm new to this so I curious about everything.

So cute. I'll be the dog just loves it.