Denim quilt
 

For the last several years as my hubs has broken "out" of his
jeans (from squatting down at work), he has brought them
home to me in case I wanted to "save" them for a quilt.

Last week was the latest pair he brought home for me, so I
washed them and proceeded to cut the legs out leaving the
pockets, (inner and outer) seams, zipper, and waist band.
Now take into account that my hubs is a BIG guy (6'3" & 370)
there is a lot of denim in the legs of his jeans.

I am curious as to how big of square and/or rectangle would
be a good size to cut the denim?

At this point I have only cut 1 pair of jeans (all I can find right now),
but I THINK that I have about 2-4 more pair (once I can locate them).

Not sure HOW big I should even plan the quilt because I KNOW
that it will be very heavy if I make it to big.

TIA for all suggestions.

I've never made a denim quilt, but can imagine it would be very heavy if it were big. If I were making blocks, I'd go for 6 inch finished. That way you can start with a lap quilt that would have modest size blocks, and you can get an idea of how heavy it is after making it that size.

i used a circle that i could fit a 4" square inside of -- and luckily i found a plastic lid the right size that i used for a template
i just keep sewing them together -- don't know if it will ever get done & not too worried if i will be too big or not --

I'd make the pieces as large as possible. Seams add weight.

How about if you back it with flannel and don't use batting? That might be a way to minimize added weight.

I know you didn't ask, but the thought occurred to me that contrasting colors look good on denim. Orange is the classic color used on jeans; I made a denim coat with lime-green stitching that I thought looked good with it. (Just my $.02.) Also, what about mixing the denim with khaki (if available)? Still durable but a bit lighter in weight.

I'm keeping my eye on this thread because I have dogs and a "working quilt" would have to be tough enough to endure their efforts to make a nest out of it.

Remember that seams add bulk and weight. I think the 6" finished size is a good size. You can just back it with flannel, no batting. Makes a great car quilt or picnic quilt. If you do a google image search on Denim quilts, there are lots of ideas.

My first one I made with 7" blocks. The second one I changed to 8" blocks, and was pleasantly surprised with how much less sewing there was for the same finished size. The next 4 were 8" also.

Would look nice w/some olaid mixed in or as backing.

I agree with Manalto---make the pieces as large as possible---10" or 12" since it will be so heavy. Would make a great utility quilt. Red and/or navy accents would be nice.

I saved my kids jeans for a while and last year I made a couple of those "circle" quilts. I really like how they turned out - but they are heavy, but they are big. I am saving jeans again and I think I will make one 50" x 60" or so with fleece backing. I will probably just do simple squares - the biggest size I can get from the jeans I will be working on [ATTACH=CONFIG]535241[/ATTACH]

I made one for my grandson using 6 " squares and alternated them with plaids. I backed it with flannel and used a thin batting which was really not necessary. It was so thick I tied it. It is still well loved.

I did that and it did not need to have batting or backing so it is not too heavy and contrary to what Meyert did, I made a smaller one and use it for the trunk of our car. It washes just find, just like jeans and the trunk does not get too dirty with stuff that we put in it sometimes... You can make the block as big as you want. I even used some parts of old bed sheets that were still good "enough"
[ATTACH=CONFIG]535275[/ATTACH]

Just keep in mind that denim quilts tend to be quite heavy.

I did 6 1/2 inch squares, made a rag quilt with fleece in between and flannel at the back. It is big enough to lay over the top (only) of our QS bed. My husband loves heavy quilts. Ours is heavy, but can fit in our big toploader machine. Snipping the edges for the rag effect took awhile. Used spring loaded Fiskars snips. Quilt is in constant use (except summer) and is going strong (made in 2009). I am keen to make a circle quilt one day. Though most womens jeans these days have elastane (which is not good for quilting).

Thank you all for the info and the pictures of complete
denim quilts.


Sadly though I can't use the jeans for purses because my
hubs split the jeans from the bottom of the zipper all the
way up the back to waistband.

When I cut the legs from the jeans I cut right along the
edges of the pockets. Trying to get as much use as I
can from the denim.

This I am going to need more than 3-5 pairs of jeans though.

LOL

I have been saving jeans to. My friend has two quilts lovingly called Mr Blankets made with 9 and 12 inch blocks to help keep seam weight down they are wonderful. Both are huge about queen.

I cut these into 5" squares and then used a pocket for the label for my grandson...

I made a large twin quilt for the hubby from denim squares cut to 6". I made the top rag style and backed with flannel and no batting. I did some fmq in each square....just a bit to secure the top to backing. It turned out great and hubby loves it. I would cut as large of squares as you can get without wasting fabric. Anything larger than a twin will be very heavy to deal with at the sewing machine...and the washer! Can you imagine pulling a queen sized wet denim quilt out of the washer!

I cut the jeans a couple inches below the crotch past the bottom of the inside pockets. I have others that I have taken the pockets off. But the last few pair, I give to my neighbor. She makes duffel bags out of them. This past Saturday I went to the SA near me and got some tall men and big guy (3x plus)jeans for %50 off already discounted ticketed price. We both washed them and cut them to her specs. She attached Velcro to tops of pockets to stay closed. These will be donated to Women and children's shelters. The teenage boys like these best. the zippers stay In place for the opening. It's rare but when I find corduroy, I grab it.

Like I posted my hubs is a BIG guy his shirt are 5 or 6 XL,
not sure what size his jeans are I just know they are big
in the tush and long (since he is 6'3").

I love all the answers you have provided me, and love the
photos of denim quilts that have been shared.

Keep sharing those photos, I am getting lots of inspiration
from seeing them.

I'm in the process of making one, alternating with squares from men's shirts. I thought I would make 7" blocks with 1/2" seams, but maybe I'll use 8" blocks instead. I'm making this for a friend who lost her significant other recently. He was a fairly small man, so it will depend on which fits better with his jeans and shirts.

After you have removed the seams, worn spots, pockets, zippers, etc. lay out the denim like you would a regular fabric square it up and cut it into the size of squares you want. I made a simple 4-patch with 8" squares denim and upholstery fabric, the best size I could get out of legs of a size 40"x32" pair of jeans, which is now in my car for winter emergency and picnic.

I made a rag quilt for my daughter and used denim for the front and back but no batting. It turned out good and has held up really well. I used 6'' squares.

I have to laugh. I read this posting and thought, "I wonder what olaid is?" Google search figured it out for me.

I have made many denim quilts, and I use almost all of the parts except the zipper, the bottom hem, and waist band. I use all different size squares, and strips.. I love adding the pockets to the quilt especially if it is for a little boy.. I like using different shades of blue so things contrast.. I work with the pieces like they are a jig saw puzzle.. For the backing, I use flannel..
I just finished the top to one, but am unable to post on the board, but I can email you a picture.

Here's a couple pictures of the denim quilts I make. These are like a circle quilt, but they start with an octagon (star), rectangle (bricks) or square instead of a circle. So there done when they're done, and there's no quilting or tying to do later.

I have made tons of these, over about 40 yrs. I beg borrow or steal levis. First I wash them and dry them, than I start at the cuff & cut a little snip on each side of the side seams. that makes 4 snips per pair. Than I just grab the side seam & rip the leg as far as I can to the top. Rip the inside seam as far as it will go also. Take scissors & cut across the top of each front & back leg. You are now left w/2 longer pieces of levis from each leg. You should have 4 long pieces per pair of levis.
Next I lay the strips of levi on the cutting table, making sure that the edges are on a straight line. I than cut the hems off, across. I than pick a number, usually 10 as it seems like a nice round one. I cut each leg in 10 inch pieces. I leave the width alone.
I than serge around each piece than sew them together with about a 1/4 or 1/2 inch seam. Seaming on the 10" side only. I sew them as long as I feel like. Continue making rows than sew the rows together. Some rows will be longer than others, but just cut them off to the length you want.
* the reason I do NOT square up the denim is by the time you sew all the seams together, sometimes it too thick for the sewing needle. My way, the seams are not all meeting at the same time. They are staggered, & it seems to work better for me.
If you have any ???'s please feel free to pm me.
Hope it all helps.

I made a denim rag quilt for my nephew using 8 1/2" sqares, I backed it with flannel using no batting. I also used red bandanas make letters to spell out his name and appliqued them on there. He LOVED it! ☺

Donna

Jennie Doan at MSQC has a tutorial you can watch.

Agreed...denim quilts get heavy quickly...my son saved his jeans for me...and of course asked for a rag quilt...used my 9 1/2 inch square ruler to cut the squares...made it raggy, with flannel on the front..he wanted BIG...so it's 90 X 90...they use it all the time, big enough for 3 kids and parents to sit on at ball games, etc...gave my son the job of clipping all the seams!!

I had a friend make one with 8 inch blocks flannel on the back no batting and made a rag quilt out of ot no quilting or tying just the X across the blocks and it was an attractive quilt she said the hardest part of it was cutting for the fringe or raveling

Hi I am bank I just googled and it is junk jeans people her name is Luveta Nickles and I also went tp You tube and she is also there and some videos using junk jeans video she can really change your mind on old jeans you will never get rid of a pair again

I made a utility blanket out of old jeans and the back of my old couch slipcovers. That fabric was like brand new because no one ever sat on the back of the couch!!! Ta Dah!!!

My last blue jean quilt was backed with fleece chosen by the giftee. I used 6 in. squares, the birthing method and tied. I was not sure how well I could get a binding on. I was super pleased with the end result. [ATTACH=CONFIG]535366[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]535367[/ATTACH]
I wished I would have remembered to sew four blocks of blocks vs sewing row by row.
I have a 1951 Singer 15-91 just for creating blue jean quilts! (and because I love her!)
Still have a learning curve with posting pics!

I made a denim quilt that was similar to a rag quilt without the "rag". I cut everything on the bias (denim and I used homespun for the back). I cut the squares, sandwiched a piece of bat between them and quilted an X across the square. I then put the squares together like a rag quilt with 1/2" seams. When washed the edges curl because they are on the bias and it make a pretty quilt without the fraying and mess of a rag quilt. Hope this makes sense.

I also took my seam ripper and took the pockets off. The denim under the pockets is a different shade of blue and it made for interesting pattern on the blocks. I used the pockets for a variety of things like pockets on bags and also used them to make potholders. You can also take the flat felled seams and roll them to make coasters much like you do with the clothes line projects some make. At Guild we made fidget mats for nursing homes and used the pockets and waist bands and zippers on the fidget mats. People with dementia use the fidget mats. Very little goes to waste with a pair of jeans around here!

Go to www.pinterest.com and search for "recycle denim". You'll be amazed!!!!

I have one similar to this in progress (and have for awhile...it's a long process, lol) and for the center squares I'm using a bunch of fleece scraps, no batting. It's going to be heavy no matter what, though. I'm aiming for a large throw-size for mine, about 72" square is my "standard" size.

I used an Accuquilt die for the circle, it has all the "ragging" snips pre-done. My hands can't take all the snipping needed to rag a quilt properly, so for me this is about the only way to go.

My SIL made several denim quilts made from her children's outgrown jeans. She even used the pockets on the quilt as a decorative element. I think she used 5-6" squares that were tied to a flannel backing. Granted it was a bit on the heavy side, but once, while visiting, I had the Luxury, yes luxury of sleeping under two of them. It brought back wonderful memories of the heavy quilts and blankets I slept under as a child. When one of my brothers passed away she taught that SIL to make the quilts using his old jeans. He was also a large man, 6'2" and over 300 lbs. so she was able to make quilts for each of their 4 children as a memory quilt of their father.

These are al such lovely quilts!

When people refer to "Circle Quilts" are they the same as the "Cathedral Windows" quilts of long ago? I've always wanted to make one of those.

Check this gal out. Her name is Heather Banks and she mainly does denim and designs quilt patterns for them:http://www.inventivedenim.com/. I found her last year while looking for information on denim quilts. She also has a blog: http://www.inventivedenim.com/blog/.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for asking this question, Quilty-Louise. I never thought I'd make a jean quilt but all the suggestions and pictures have inspired me. Quiltedsunshine, I love your ideas with the squares and rectangles. So glad you shared. And caspharm, thank-you for sharing that website and blog. She had some really fun ideas.

My mother made a jean quilt backed with plaid flannel that we used for every picnic. If we didn't need it to sit on we used it for a tablecloth on tables where we would picnic. Such fond memories go along with that quilt.