What about purses? I have seen free patterens on the net. You could make the purses for the ladies in the family with the top and rag lap quilts from the bottom for the guys. That way there is very little waste. Sandy

My first finished top was a denim quilt made from my sister's jeans. I know her kids should have it but I just can't part with it right now. I absolutely love it. I would say 'go for it'! Yes, you'll swear a few times as it gets bigger & bulkier, but once it's done you'll be so happy. It's an amazing memory quilt that will last forever. :thumbup:

Jean Quilts are very heavy. Made a bisquit quilt out of jeans and the thing weighed a ton!

Here are some pics of the jean quilts I made. I made the circle one for my DH to place on the back of his recliner where his head rests.

I have made MANY jean quilts... some rag some regular. Being from TX, I rarely put batting in them... I backed mine with flannel or fleece....
The are not difficult expecially the rag ones.... ppl tend to love them...

If you are making the jean's quilt for a teenager, great. If it is for yourself or older relative, they are awfully heavy. I made a lap quilt out of jeans and got a clue right then and there that it wasn't going to work out for me and I'm not that old!

I make rag jean quilts "free style". If I am lucky I have "yard sale" jeans in many colors whites, blues, browns,blacks, even greens and reds. I cut my squares with a common height, maybe, 7x6, 6x6, 4x6, 5x6 and so on. I discard the thick seams. I do include plenty of pockets with a single thickness border for seam alowance. Using a 1" seam alowance piece the rows then staggar the vertical seams. I usually back each square with a double layer of flannel some times well washed yard sale PJs, which adds to rag effect and finished the back of the quilt. Once you get going it will just flow... Hope this helps

I made a few jeans quilt and the only problem was the mess it makes while cutting the pieces. I will *attempt to post a pic of a jeans quilt I made for my mom that I made up as I went along

I have made jean quilts. I didn't think they were that difficult.

tucsonquilter; Could you tell me what sized circles and pieces you used. I've been saving jeans for years.

I made 3 jean quilts when my brother passed away several years ago. All he ever wore was jeans so I used what he wore! I did a lot of fussy cutting, utilizing pockets, tags, etc. Jeans are sewn to last forever and I wanted some color/fabric variety in my quilt. I would undo the seams (which don't fade as much) to get some visual interest in my squares. It is rather messy work and time consuming to re-sew. The plus size is jean quilts last forever and are quite warm and heavy, even if you don't use batting. His wife and 2 kids sleep with their quilts every night so it was worth every thread, stitch and curse involved to me.

I'd say go ahead. I made several jean quilts out of old jeans using 6" squares and 1/2" seams. I used bandana or other homespun or warm and friendly fabrics (I've made several) for the backing. Then, I tied them with appropriate colored yard/cotton thread. They are great!!!

A rag quilt would be hard, though--at least all the cutting would be, but I can imagine would look great when finished.

I've had good luck making rugs out of old jeans. Just cut in strips and sew to old towels. I don't think a jeans quilt would be that much fun to work on OR to use. Very heavy!

There is a very cute pattern using a circle of denim, and a square of any other fabric that didn't look hard at all!

I work with denim all the time. I have made raggy quilts, signature quilt for ddil baby shower, and lots of raggy tote bags. Denim is not hard to work with at all and the finished product will last almost forever.

One of the things I like about denim quilts is that they can and usually will be used almost constantly. If not on the bed or as a laprobe, then in the car for an emergency blanket, or a picnic blanket or on the floor for babies to play on or for older kids to lie on and watch TV. You don't feel bad if the pets lie on them. Come to think of it, denim would be great for a pet's bed. Denim quilts can be treated as everyday items not something that has to be handled with kidgloves because they're too delicate to use and only brought out when you think the quiltmaker is coming over. I think the large laprobe/picnic blanket size is best because it's more handy all round unless you are making it specifically for someone's bed.

For those who like something more visual, here is a video ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_iL9Ftu4BA

I made a denim rag quilt, alternating a red print block with denim blocks on both sides. One side was smooth and the other raggy. I'm using it as a "door" to our utility room and it works well and gives a touch of country to our home. It is heavy and would be great also for a picnic or ball game.

Since you husband loves jean quilts go for it. I have been savin jeans to mKE ONE AND SO EMBROIDERY ON IT AS YOU DONT NEED TO SANDWICH IT BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT.

I really like your jeans quilt. I have a large tote of pieces left over from the one I made. Knew I didn't toss them for a reason. What size seam allowance, stitch, seam allowance did you use? What did you use for backing, did you use batting, is it quilted?? I know lots of questions but I am going to use your quilt idea.

I made a jeans + cords quilt for my son when he first moved out 10 yrs ago(he has moved back home and out again at least 4 times since then, but that is another story LOL)
I made big 8"squares, ued a very thick batting, and a blue stripe ticking for the backing and then tied it at all the corners with red yarn. Yes, it is very heavy but he loves it and it goes with him wherever he is....it needed some muscle to put it together but I have a big table to sew on which made it so much easier to handle.

I have made several denim quilts. Not my favorite to make. Usually sew the regular way and use a light weight batt and flannel on the back. I have made a couple of denim rag quilts and they were ok but I made them before I learned that for the ragging to look nice it needs to be cut close with a 1/2" seam. They were for grand sons and they loved them.

I have made two large denim quilts with NO batting, but not the rag style. I sewed 6 1/2 inch squares together, saving front and back pockets/waistband/logos and added them wherever. One loved dirt bike racing so I chose that print for the backing and then used the black/white checkered flag fabric to add to the front by sticking a quarter square piece into the pockets (like a hanky sticking out) ran that fabric through the waist band, knotting the ends (tacked down for stability) and they turned out really nice. The first one I made, I just used a plaid flannel for the backing. One I tied with yarn at the corners and the other one I took the time to 'bartack' the corners in lieu of tying. I used the berthing method to sew the front and back together, eliminating any binding, The male graduates loved the quilt gifts (and so did the girl friends because they were warm). You'll enjoy creating your own memorable quilt. Don't hesitate. They are fun to make.

Denim quilts are not hard, rag denim are fun...just don't use any type of batting, just use backing. They can get very heavy with batting, ask me how I know. lol

I made a denim rag quilt for a charity event - Silent Auction - it was the first thing to go. It wasn't hard - and because it was so heavy - I didn't use batting - just backed it with flannel.

I only made a lap quilt, because anything larger than that gets too heavy to work with.

I love your sample, it'll be fantastic when you're finished. I'm glad you weren't scared off. I've made 2 flannel/denim rag quilts and they're wonderful and warm. Be sure to show us the finished product!!!

I have made & sold several denim quilts. I use fleece for the backing & no batting. They are very warm & everyone loves them. Some were ordered with photos on them. All turned out wonderful. So I say go for it. They are simple to make. I used different patterns & all were simple to do.

They are not that hard to make. I made 3 this summer. When I ran out of denim that I had been saving I went to Goodwill on their 1/2 price denim day and bought what I needed. They turned out really nice. I gave 2 to my son's teachers. His teachers camp alot and I wanted to give them something they would use. I tied them, and used a very thin batting. They will be heavy but they are warm.

I love denim and can not bear to part with it. I have a large stack of my husband's jeans waiting for me to cut. I have not made a denim quilt yet but have plans to do this so I appreciate this thread.

I have made coasters, pot holders and other items. Denim just lasts forever and gets so soft with age.

I'm betting that when I do make a quilt, I will have difficulty parting with it.

Blue jeans
 

My sister only quilts with denim. She makes quilts and totes. She cuts the blocks out of the legs and used either a 5 or 6 inch block. She does not put batting in them. She sandwiches the flannel and blocks and sews around the blocks to stabilize them and snippes the seams. She also cuts out nice back pockets and includes them in the quilt or any such trim.

They make excellent camping quilts. Her totes are really cute as well. You just make them as large as you want. She puts an outside pocket on them as well. She used to make BUM Bags as well. They were just the top of the jeans. She cutes off the legs, sews the legs closed and makes a strap from the legs. They are really cute as well.

You will need to use a size 100 needle to get thru all those seams. It isn't hard to make, just heavy!

Denim lends it self well to a rag quilt. I've made one with denim on one side and flannelette on the other. Depending on where you live I don't think it's necessary to use batting. Increase the seam size to 1/2 inac, or 3/4 inch. It will last forever. The hardest part of the quilt is cutting up the jeans, it's a big job. In my own humble opinion this is what quilting is all about. If you were close to her this could also be very therapeutic. If you've never made a rag quilt before I suggest you give it a go. You won't be disappointed.

Any lightly worn jeans go to thrift store--they fly out of the bins. Well-worn jeans get deconstructed (snip the hems on all sides of the inseams and outerseams and rip them up the legs). If your machine doesn't like denim seams, you can join brick-style.

Very Very heavy, hard to roll over in bed. Another thing is what washing machine will wash one.

I made a queen size with all kinds of denim scraps. Everything from dress weight to overalls.
The pieces were large and different shapes. Wish I could remember the pattern. Then I appliqued
black cats around on top in various 'cat poses'. It turned out really neat and one of my kiddos
picked it right up. I did hand quilt it tho, and needless to say, I'd think twice about doing that
again. Just used a good muslin on the back and regular weight batting.

I made a denim and flannel rag quilt for my MIL this Christmas. Wasn't hard since only one layer was denim,,

I have promised to make my friend a jean quilt. So does everyone agree that I do not need to put batting in it. I thought it would need some to make it puffy. Please, what do you think?

i made 2 jean quilts for my grandsons and they love them i used the pockets and the zippers too i made 10 inch squares they were rag quilts and i didnt put any batting in them they were heavy enough without any and i used cotton on the othere side with flames and motorcycles.. it was fun to make and i am a beginner quilter so you can do it and you will enjoy it...

Just a hint on using the rag die--Last time I used it I placed one thickness of newspaper between the die and the fabric and it cut down almost to nothing the amount of threads one has to remove from the die.

In the last couple of years I've made about 20 jeans quilts (about 76 X 90 inches) for my kids and grandkids. On some of them I put a light batting in the middle but the last ones I've just quilted the denim pieced top and flannel for the backing. Yes...I quilted them. I liked that a lot better than tying. I used crochet thread, doubled and quilted with a country stitch. They've been a lot of fun to make and embellish with pocket and labels and buttons and zippers and just anything that I liked. It has been a lot of work but a lot of fun too. I didn't cut up any levis that could have been worn...just levis that were too far gone.