then take away the denim...
oh my gosh... this stuff is hard to work with (especially being I am new to quilting and the sewing machine)
needless to say the corners are not even, and the fabrics seemed to want to do their own thing.... soooo I got it to 8 squares by 9 squares (a nice lap sized quilt) and showed son today, and told him, this is as big as it gets... he said ok hehe

Thank you to all of those who helped with the purple fabric... the rest of it will go to good use, as I plan to make both of them twin sized regular quilts for their beds... probably a 9block or something easier than this denim LOL (and I will learn to machine quilt too!)

now to do the snipping and fray the edges for the rag one.

I can relate to being out of mind making denim quilts... I just finished two.. Wonky is the word tp describe them.. Not again!!!!
Barri

barri that is what I am saying too, not again. I will do throw pillows, but not a quilt, dang denim just too weird to work with.

I have made the little tissue holders (non denim) and it is just so much fun being able to sew with material that stays where I put it, presses easy, etc. So I have a feeling making quilt blocks on the machine will be an enjoyable experience.

I guess doing the denim stuff gives me something not so much fun to relate to hehe

I hear you. The only time I used denim on a quilt was as backing for a wall quilt. It was a crazy quilt made by ladies at the Meeting using all types of fabric. I figured the denim would give support and be easy on the blocks.

I must be weird because I didn't think denim was any harder to work with - just heavier. The only thing I didn't like was cutting squares from all those odd pieces of used denim.

I've never tried to use denim for a quilt. I probably never will flannel can be hard enough. lol

maybe it is because I am new to quilting, or maybe it is my machine is not a heavy duty one (at least not to my knowledge hehe)

I found it difficult as in the denim would stretch when stitching and the woven would not... one way it would not stretch the other it would...

ah well, son likes it so far, still need to snip and fray... I am happy even though it is not perfect

I am thinking for their quilts for the beds, I am going to make the card trick blocks, I really like how that looks.

I made my son a denium lap quilt a few yrs ago for Christmas, my first ever quilt. Omg, what was I thinking! To make it even worse, I added batting and flannel for the backing. It weighs a ton and it is only large lap size. He walks thru the quilting room and seen me making it, having no idea it was him. He said " I want you to make me one of these in a queen size".
I still laugh about that, but when the power goes out or it is freezing outside, he sure loves it!

Denim is very heavy to work with if you make a very big quilt like I did.

I agree didnt realize it was harder to work with Actually I liked the fact I didnt need to put batting in it I have three more cut out and ready to sew

I don't mind working with denim for making purses/bags, but trying to do this quilt was a chore... (plus where my sewing machine is at, it is a bit of a cramped space)

I am sure if I knew more about what I was doing, it probably would not have been as hard heh

I did enjoy it though, time to go snipping the edges.

I laughed out loud when I read this. I think I have a "ton" of old jeans that I think I might do something with someday. Probably not! haha

Thats just funny =) The thing I learned when working with denim...don't expect ANYTHING to line up. If your ok with that then just sew away and call it good. =)

lol Teddybear lady, I still have a bit of denim left (not counting the top parts of the pants that are being made into purses)

RhayD that is pretty much how I got at the last part... just said the heck with it and let it go whonky and trimmed afterwards...

now I am doing the snipping... yuck... hard on the hand, even with spring loaded scissors

Used to actually make jeans. That was in my crazy days when it was much cheaper to make a pair than to buy them!

I love working with denim....lol so I must be crazy!
But when I use denim with other cotton fabrics, i uses a interfacing on the cotton fabric to give it weight and stability. Don't give up.
Tammy

I, too, had trouble with denim in the beginning. Using the right needle and making some machine adjustments helped me a lot.

I, too, had trouble with denim in the beginning. Using the right needle and making some machine adjustments helped me a lot. sorry for the double post.

I had so many people offering my bluejeans after my epsiode of making that bjq! Gee, I still have plenty in the attic awaiting the next one! Good luck with those that make them, they are fun and extremely warm!

Oh this is worrisome to hear. I have a great idea for a pattern for denim and are wanting to start soon, I have saved the kids jeans and also got some purple denim for sashing. Can any of you who have done a successful denim quilt describe a backing that works and any tips for it?

I love to work with denim!! I have made a queen quilt. 2 lap size quilts and a full size one. I got everything ready to make another full size one too!!

Did you use a jeans needle? I have found that can make a big difference when sewing denim. Of course, that only helps with the sewing, not with the alignment!!!

Put the denim away and use cotton fab. You will have so much fun

My avatar has 99 blocks. It was a labor of love for my aunt. It covers the top of a queen size bed. I just made a baby denim quilt last weekend, I use a size 16 or 18 needle and my walking foot. The walking foot really made going over the bulky seams must easier.

Denim is a challenge for sure. I try to stagger my seams so the you don't have the bulk of seams meeting, like in a brick pattern. The one where you leave the seams exposed and let them fray is a good one too. I made a couple of them years ago and that was more than enough!

I use a jean needle and a walking foot too. the Janome that I got 2 years ago really helps. I am always looking for jeans, no stretch though.

I've posted a picture of my denim quilt, it was just squares and I think it came out great. It would fit a queen size bed easily and I love the fact that I didn't cost me anything except for the backing because I cut up old jeans. Not sure if you can still see it, let me know and if you're interested I'll repost it

Oh no, not good. I was at the thrift store and found 5 yards of denim for $3.00. Yep, I bought it.

I just gave two rows of denim squares, plus a half a trash bag of cut squares, plus six trimmed pairs of jeans to the Ladies of Charity. Someone else can do it.

I have not made a denim quilt, but I just made some denim pot holders with a double binding, and it was stressful to say the least to get that binding folded over to the back to be stitched down.

Yep, I know what you are feeling. I am in the middle of making a denim rag quilt, queen size no less and hopefully dog proof. It is becoming a test of endurance because it is becoming very heavy. But I did buy some fabric snips to cut the seam allowances. Sure makes that process easier.

I made a denim rag quilt for my grandson and had no problems. I backed it with a homespun fabric. Clipped the seams and washed and frayed. It is one of my favorite quilts. It was heavy and bulky to work with.

Have you ever seen Margaret Islander sew two different lengths of fabric together and have them come out equal? I don't know if that's on UTube anywhere, but if it is, you should watch it. It shows you how to be in control of the fabrics, not have them control you. Also, with some fabrics, you want to lighten up on the presser foot to keep it from stretching your fabric.

darn, and here i was thinking i wanted to try one. . .guess not, lol.

I made a denim quilt several years ago. It had a few pieces
of jeans, but I had made previously a number of dresses out
of regular denim weight fabric. Each piece had a different
look, but even had a few pieces of striped coveralls in there. It turned out fine. When it went in our guild's quilt show, they had a lady from out of town judging and
she could not believe I had hand quilted it, with regular
fabric backing and batting. I did it, but it wasn't easy!!

I made it up as I went along and I honestly had no problem except working with denim is kind of messy. I actually had fun

when I made my denim quilts I did six in blocks and off set the next row so I would not have that bulky seam. It work for me and my girls love theirs. I did a batt and a fabric of their choice on the back side

sept97
Love your jean quilt. that is so beautiful.

I have made a cuple denim quilts, just small ones. I since have been saving them to make rugs, Old jeans make the BEST rugs!