Thread: Recycling Blue Jeans....Again!

Originally Posted by noveltyjunkie

You are a jeans genius!
You have a great grasp of colour and value to make that from reused fabric. How on earth did you sort it all out so well?!!

Thank you! First I cut the square sizes I needed (9-1/2", 6-1/2" & 3-1/2"), then I started the task of "this one is dark, this one is light, and this one is medium...hmmm...can't use the medium."

Originally Posted by Greenheron

Best jeans quilts! Your pattern and color placement take these way beyond expectations of recycled jeans. What machine are you using to climb over those heavy denim seam intersections?

Thank you! Just my little ol' Pfaff 7570 - still works like a charm!

Originally Posted by Susanb

A really good friend had asked for a quilt for the back seat of her truck. I've been stalling for a couple of years because I wasn't sure what type of fabric or pattern to use since the quilt would be exposed to strong sunlight every day. I finally had the "AH HA!" moment, and thought of the used blue jeans I'd been collecting. I designed the Celtic pattern using directions from "Celtic Pieced Illusions" by Karen Combs. It was a little tough only using blue jeans to get the right combination of lights and darks, but I was pretty pleased with the results. So the 1st picture is the Celtic pattern quilt for my friend. The 2nd picture is the waste triangles left over from the Celtic pattern, plus a few more strips of blue jean leftovers. I just love recycling blue jeans! (Keeping my fingers crossed that I'm uploading the pictures correctly??)

What a pretty quilt......I love it and I am sure your friend will too.......

Originally Posted by LynnVT

Both wonderful! Are all the fabrics denim, or do you mix with regular quilt weight for the white and grey?

All the fabric was recycled blue jeans - donated by a number of family members and friends. If the right side of the denim was stained, I just used the wrong side (inside of the jeans). The color differences come from the different manufacturers, and how much the pants were worn...I think.

Originally Posted by Qbird

Some of us are wanting to know, what the white squares are, white jeans or new fabric? and were the seams pressed open or to one side? thanks

All the fabric is denim...some of it just looks white when it's next to the darker shades, but it truly is blue. Very light blue. I did press all the seams open, otherwise it was just too bulky. Hope this helps?

Originally Posted by duckydo

Those are both so neat, how are they quilted? I have lots of denium scraps, but they make such a heavy quilt, I was wondering how it is quilted

Thank you! Because the denim is a heavy fabric, and I do put a layer of batting inside, I chose to tie these quilts. My friend absolutely loved her Celtic quilt and wasn't put off in the slightest with the weight - - it was heavy, but if your vehicle breaks down, this is the go-to quilt to keep warm!

Originally Posted by mycatsmom

Do you use a bigger seam allowance and do you press your seams open? I love both of them? I have wanted to make a jeans quilt but have never got around to it.

I stayed with the standard 1/4 inch seam allowance, but I do press the seams open. Thank you for your kind comments.

Originally Posted by charismah

That's amazing! I think that is teh best jean quilt I have ever seen. Great use of color!

Wow! Thank you Charisma! That is high praise coming from someone as talented as you! I am continually amazed at your work, and always wish I was as gifted as you. Thank you!