Need quick answers re: cutting denim?
 

Help please??? My niece is going on a medical mission trip with classmates in June... the auction to raise money is right around the corner, however, and she just mentioned it yesterday... I'm thinking to offer a denim rag quilt for the auction... Here's my question: do I need to pay attention to weave direction when cutting blocks out of denim? AND: what seam depth should I use? 5/8? 3/4? 1"? I want to cut tomorrow, so please help??? THANK YOU!!!!

The deeper the seam allowance the more ragging. So, it depends on what you want. I typically do an inch seam allowance on all of mine. Denim isn't going to rag as well as other material, however.

As for weave direction - you want to stay on the straight grain, going along the selvage, or straight across the fabric. If you go off on an angle, you'll have bias edges and the ragging won't pull out straight. Does that make sense? I don't know depth, but if you search rag quilts on this forum or Google it, you'll find lots of instructions to make these, and they will indicate seam width. Good luck!

I have never made a denim rag quilt yet, but can tell you that I hope you have extra blades for your cutter and ragging scissors. Denim is hard on blades. As long as the blocks aren't cut on the bias edge, you should be fine. If cut on the bias, that edge won't rag. I would use 5/8" or 3/4" seams.

Cutting denim is hard on the hands too. Be careful about overdoing it if you have any arthritis at all in your hands or wrists.

I've made a few denim rag quilts. Used a 1/2 inch seam, and bought the scissors (snippers) made specifically for cutting into the seams for the fringe. I don't think they cost more than $10 at Joanne's. Easy and fun to make.