I've made several rag jean quilts. I've never cut the seams as part of the block, And if I wanted to use the back pocket of the jeans , I bought larger jeans, so I could include the pocket. I always get my jeans at yardsales or thrift stores, watch the color of the jeans, the demin sometimes varys alot. When I'm through cutting my sqs out of my jeans, I usually only have the sideseam, inseam, front-pockets and zipper left. I also use needles for sewing demin.