I checked out some blue jean quilt websites. Here's one:
http://www.equilters.com/library/jea..._gallearl.html
She mentioned that she now makes all her jeans quilts with 1/2-inch seams for durability. Also, it sounds as if you need to be careful and use jeans needles when sewing denim. Those are thicker, stronger needles with sharp points that make penetrating the denim easier. With beginners, I would worry about them breaking needles while sewing denim.