Denim Cathedral type quilt - Kingsize?
 

Hi - I'm new to this forum, and actually new to quilting. I've sewn for a long time, but have never tackled a quilt before. I've been looking for a kingsize bedspread (not comforter) for a long time, but bedspreads are hard to find anymore.
I found this pattern - http://www.straw.com/equilters/libra...gallbaros.html
on how to do a denim quilt - all machine sewn, no batting. This sounds pretty easy for my first attempt.

For those of you who do quilting a lot, does a Kingsize BEDSPREAD (meaning all the way to the floor) sound too heavy, or to adventurous for a first-time quilter? I'm guessing I can sew strips of these (like two circles wide, and the length of the quilt) in the pattern, then sew the strips together to the width I desire so I can get it in my machine. Does that make sense?

Any suggestions, or hints would be appreciated. I know it will be a long process, but I love the look of this. I just have to find enough old jeans! I have plenty of scraps to be the inside material. Or, I've also thought of making the inside all one material. Not sure yet. I like the colorful, old fashioned, quilt look too.

I'm mostly worried about the weight - and getting it sewn in my machine. I have a good machine, it's just wrangling this much material once it starts getting constructed.

Thanks for the advice of all of you experienced quilters!

This would be very heavy if you are to make it for a king size bed. Quilts are not bedspreads and don't usually go to the floor. Of coarse you could make it that big if you please. No rules here. I bought a summer weight spread and use my quilts on top of that. This works better than bed ruffles for me. If you are going to do your own quilting, I suggest you look up "quilt as you go" for one that big. It may be easier than quilting a king size on a regular machine.

Good luck and welcome to quilting. It is the best bug I have ever been bitten by.

I think you are very brave to even attempt anything that size on a DSM. I think that it would be very heavy. On the other hand, I love it so go for it, and keep us posted on your progress.

My advice would be to have plenty of table space around you to support the quilt when you are sewing so it doesn't become a battle. I did one, and that was my only problem.

I think that would be very heavy for your first try. I have never made that pattern but if you like it I would practice on scraps and make a few before starting on your fabric for your quilt. Good luck with it and welcome to the board.

Denim, even the shirt weight kind, is going to be heavy! And cathederal window is going to be a tough go with denim what with the folding and top stitching involved. Even a Muslin and broadcloth cathederal window is relatively heavy once you get all the layers going. Now that we've told you how heavy etc. go for a small sample of it --- be sure to use denim needles (they are heavier and sharp). I would do a small sample (say placemat or tabletopper size) before committing to a king size. That way you can see what the fabric might do and if you want to deal with the extreme challenges of working with denim in such a large project.

WOW! What an adventuous girl you are!! Go for it. And like she said, have plenty of tables to hold it up.

I've made several denim quilts with no batting. They are a nice weight & not overly heavy to sleep under. Your bedspread would be heavy overall just due to the size you are making it. That's not a problem, but it can be a little awkward toward the end of the sewing process.

Your construction method makes sense to me, but for something this big I would do it in 4 or more sections then sew them together, rather than doing it a few rows at a time. I think doing by it that way it will be easier toward the end so you won't be sewing a few rows onto the majority of the completed quilt/bedspread. My only other thought would be to make your original circles big, like 12-15", but you can play around with that to see what size you like best.

Thank you for all the replies! You guys are fast! One of you mentioned using muslin or broadcloth (instead of the denim) - I had not thought of that, and it might be lighter weight. Denim was just "free" if I could find enough used jeans to cut up! But, the muslin or broadcloth is a good idea too. I'll have to think on it. I will take ones advice and try a few smaller pieces (maybe do some pillows?) and see what I think.
My creative juices are flowing - I hate that when I'm stuck here at work! :-)

I'm making this excact pattern but it will be used as a play mat for my grandson outdoors

This pattern is more of a faux Cathedral Windows, and in my opinion, is a better choice for a beginning quilter than the official Cathedral Windows pattern. So I say go for it, but I also second the suggestions that you pick a lighter-weight fabric to replace the denim. Denim will be heavy and thicker, so it will be a challenge to get it through your machine. Once you've made one, you will be better able to decide for yourself if you want to make a denim quilt.

Good luck, and make sure you show us your finished quilt!

The person that mentioned using muslin or broadcloth didn't go look at your link and thinks you're making the traditional cathedral windows.

I'd go ahead with the denim just because they're really cool but divide it into quarters instead of doing full length rows. That way if you decide it's too heavy it will still be a use able size. My oldest granddaughter started one like your making and it's really neat. One of these days I'll get it out and finish it for her.

I may be overly ambitious about making a kingsize - especially when I haven't even tried it yet.! I have a new grandson & might just have to make him a play quilt too. That would be awesome. I really like the pattern, and with some "boyish" filler material, it would really be great for a boy!
You guys are full of ideas!

that looks like a fun way to use up some denim

my very first bed quilt was a very large king sized quilt- if you have the (gumption) to make one that big its do-able for a beginner- as for weight- it will be heavy/warm but i don't think it would be unduly so- my king sized quilt has a flannel backing and batting in it- it's pretty heavy- but living in northern michigan that's nice sometimes :)
i say go for it- and as for 'struggling' it through your machine- you may want to make it in sections- 2 or 3 at least- then sew the sections together- it will be alot less to deal with at once.

I did a large throw size exactly this way--in 4 sections and those sections were very heavy. I think it can be done but make sure you have tables to support the weight all around you. I, personally, don't like heavy quilts. They make me feel trapped but hubby loves them. He uses the throw I made to combat restless leg syndrome & it seems to work for him. I kick it away from me if it creeps over onto my side of the bed.

I also made a small one for a play mat. That one was no problem at all other than I used corduroy for some of the patches and my machine had hissy fits trying to sew on corduroy for some reason.

And it isn't really the sewing sections together that is heavy. For me, it was sewing the flaps down with all the turning. Sewing the sections was no problem but sewing the flaps down on a long section wore out my shoulders.

You could also use old sheets instead of denim. I made a Dresden plate quilt with denim that was large queen and I'm here to tell you, when I was done I couldn't believe how heavy it was!! I told my DIL better wash it at the laundromat because it could very well burn out her washer once wet.

I have been cutting circles of denim this past week to do one of these, also. Mine will be much smaller though for a picnic type blanket. About 60 by 60.

I think I've decided to just make one for my grandson - instead of the kingsize bedspread - due to the weight more than anything. We live in Oklahoma, and it's usually not that cold to need anything that heavy. Plus, I would really like to have a lightweight bedspread that could be used most of the year. We have a down comforter we put on when its really cold, but most of the year we don't need anything too heavy.

Maybe I could look into a more lightweight quilt. I really like the jelly-rolls I've seen. I've watched the 1600' video - and that is really neat. I guess you could attach 4 of those together and make a bedspread (or comforter) for a kingsize bed!

All sorts of ambition - just have to have the TIME to do some of these ideas! If anyone has hints on lightweight comforters (I kind of like the idea of quilt as you go) - then pass them along.)

I made a queen size denim--no batting or backing and it was very heavy.

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/11/...y-playmat.html
here's a baby quilt done that way. i did one with cotton fabrics and batting. but i put my batting the full circle size and that made it a tiny bit difficult to fold over the edges and sew well.
denim can be heavy, if you aren't to sleep under it all will be fine. sew circles into rows and then into rows. good luck.

How about starting with a lap/crib size? and then, if you are having fun - you can make it grow into a king-size?

Check out the video at this link. It uses the same technique, but with a template and layer cakes instead of denim. You would get that look, and quilt as you go, but lighter weight.

http://www.missouriquiltco.com/notio...-brandy-s.html