Blue jean quilt?
 

I have been wanting to make a quilt using old blue jeans, I have been saving them and now that I have a box full I want to get started on it..

My question is, can I use the stretch kind of blue jeans in a quilt. most of the jeans that I have are the ones that stretch...could I use them??? Thank you..

I am making a blue jean quilt right now and when I was picking the jeans out I wondered the same thing. I am interested in what replies you get. I ended using almost all 100% cotton. But I did put 1 pair that was 1% spandex and 99% cotton, I can't really tell the difference after they are cut.

I think you could, but I like the color and fraying of 100% cotton which I don't think you'd get with the stretchy ones.

I have used both kinds and they worked fine. Here is one I did the faux cathedral window on and it frayed just great.

I also did the cathedral window using both kinds. My kids have it at the beach right now in SC so I'll see how it fared after they get home. I did mine with all patriotic fabrics and put in plain colors with their names on them for some person touches.

Wow, thanks for sharing that pic! I really like the look of that & I hadn't thought about it fraying. I have it all cut out, just haven't gotten around to putting it together! I sooooo want to do it-- just short of time!

tucsonquiler I am making one of the quilts that is in the picture you posted. Yours is very nice - great job. I have one question.. how long does it take to fray? How many times do you have to wash it before the fraying starts?

i'm not a big fan of ragged quilts, but this is terrific.

Some of the spandex jeans are workable...but others just have too much stretch for me. I don't think they piece as nice.

I'm still in the picking up all the tips phase; I have all kinds of jeans just haven't decided on what to do or when to do it. Please keep us posted on your progress.

What about if you used a lightweight fusible to back the stretch denim? Of course it couldn't be used as a rag quilt.

Wow the is a beautiful quilt tucsonquilter....

I was just thinking of making 5 inch squares and using some kind of flannel that looked kind of western on the back with no batting as I think it will be to heavy with batting in it. Then I was just going to tie it with yarn the same color as the flannel backing.. do you think that would work? I never though of the cathedral window but that sure looks hard and I think the 5 inch squares would be faster and easier for me..

I only washed the quilt once before giving it away and it frayed nicely. Here are two more I made with the same mixture of denim and they both turned out great.

I was a beta tester for a wonderful embroidery designer. I sewed much of the designs on large sections of my old jeans and I ended up with different size blocks. So I just cut them into either 9", 7", or 5" blocks, depending on the design. Isewed the like sizes together in strips going down, then added another size - because it frays it doesn't matter. It turned out gorgeous. I gave it to a raffle for a sick ladies expenses and it made lots of money. Another thing - don't forget to use pockets and belt loops and seams - I made a guy quilt like that and it was a huge success.

[QUOTEI never though of the cathedral window but that sure looks hard and I think the 5 inch squares would be faster and easier for me..[/QUOTE]
I don't think this type of cathedral window is much harder then sewing squares. They are circles of denim, sewn together with the seam allowance folded over on top of a cotton square.

are cathedral window quilts hard to make??? I love this quilt...so pretty

I've made a lot of denim quilts, and the problem with the stretch jeans, is when the quilt is dried. If you dry them in a hot dryer, the spandex kinda disintegrates, and leaves a rippled fabric. The spandex content is only 1%, but it still is an issue. When you have a heavy denim quilt, how would you dry it? On hot, so it won't take too long, right? So, if you do use the stretch denim, just put a label on the quilt to dry it on a low heat setting.

I made my son a denim quilt using the pineapple pattern. I found that any of the denim that was stretchy did not work - at least with this pattern, I cut a strips the same size, but the blocks that I used stretchy denim in had to be recut, as they ended up larger than the others, and I had to recut those blocks. Perhaps it will work better in other patterns.

Quilt-as-you-go denim quilts are EASY!
 

Circle denim quilts are easy, but doing them with octagons, squares and rectangles are even easier.

I just zig-zag the edges, so no clipping. And batting is optional.

I have made several jean quilts and I have found that the stretch jeans do not work as well as the plain cotton. I buy jeans at the thrift stores and also have friends and family save jeans when they are done wearing them.

If the jeans don't fray fast enough for you - take a spray bottle with water and a scrub brush! Wet the area to fray and rub the scrub brush back and forth on it

I can not believe you free motion quilted the striped one. Must have been so heavy. They are all great.

I have made a couple blue jean rag quilts for a quilt raffle for a dog rescue that I am a volunteer for. I named them after my two Minpins. One is called the "Jasper Ragster" and the "Baxter Ragster". Easy and fun to make to use up some of your jeans. I put flannel on the back for softness. I don't know about stretch jeans; I didn't use any.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]480140[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]480141[/ATTACH]

Judi in Ohio,

What is a beta tester for embroidery?

Thanks for the tip

Here is a web site dedicated to sewing with jeans. I have a stack of my denims waiting for me to do something with them. I will one of these days.

Great quilts everyone.

Also from Tucson...and love the U of A features of the quilt.

I've made five blue jeans quilts, using 6.5" and 8" respectively, but I didn't make the fraying style; my seams are half inch and are all inside. I pressed open the seams and then top stitched the entire top with 1/4" top stitching. Turned out great. No need to tie it when you do this. I used back pockets and waistband pieces in the blocks here and there (just a few).

Blue Jean Circles
 

I have wanted to make a blue jean quilt myself and saw a tutorial on one with circles. I liked it and added to my favorites so when I had the time I could make it. Here is the link

http://www.equilters.com/library/jea...gallbaros.html

Hope you like it too. And if you want to use stretchy jeans I would suggest putting a fusible interface on the back of it to stabilize the fabric, like you do on t-shirt quilts.

Hope this helps

Oh, Quiltedsunshine, I love your variations of denim quilts. I've never seen them before. What did you use for the octagon shape? And what size?

Pattycakes - that is the exact same link I keep reading! They make it look so easy to do....I have actually gotten all of my circles and squares cut now. Next week I am on vacation and I hope to get busy sewing and maybe even finish the quilt!!!

Paula Fullager - I love your quilts especially the yellow one!

Beautiful quilts...I've made a baby quilt out of denim scraps...but of course, still have plenty of scraps for more projects...I just can't throw out good denim...just because one of the boys ripped out the knees or grew out of his jeans. I've also saved all the embroidered jeans my daughter used to wear when she was little. Thanks for the posts to the other sites for more inspiration. Oh, here's a picture of the baby quilt I did. Thanks for looking and please keep posting other blue jean quilts.:thumbup:

My friend made a huge probably king size raw edge frayed quilt from jeans using 4 patches and squares. I remember her telling me she nerve wanted to use the stretch jeans again. Might have been because if the size making it so heavy. She used warm and natural batting so that sucker was hot and very very heavy. I still want to make one! Hers was denim both sides. She made me a smaller quilt with the leftovers but not frayed just the regular pieced denim, batting, and the shirtless cowboys fabric! I did the binding in a red flannel bandana print.

I've made several denim rag quilts and hope to soon get back to making more. Some of the jeans I used were 20 years old, some were mixed fabric content; all have turned out to serve their purpose ... utility quilt and dog quilts.

Here's a couple of pictures (front and back - no batting) of my favorite one:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]488948[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]488949[/ATTACH]

I love these quilts. But don't have enough jeans. Would have to buy denim

It's sad to hear you have to buy denim GrannieAnnie. I've had people give me old denims by the bagful; when I've had to buy them, I find thrift stores that gladly sell the ones that have been on their racks six months or more for $.25 a pair. Same with old shirts that I've used for the opposite side. I'm hoping you find someplace or somebody who'll help you out.

I am pretty sure you can use whatever you want...just "know your material". If you are working with stretch jeans or a stretch cotton mix, just make sure you don't stretch it when sewing. I've got double knit quilt tops people have given me. They work...

I made a denim and corduroy quilt in the '70's. I use 7"squares many with the flies, pockets and beltloops and buttons. , my roommate "stole "it,lol! Last year she sent me a post saying she was ready for a new quilt, even tho' the denim one was still going strong!