Used jeans
 

I have a rental unit and my tenants vacated, leaving a bag or two of old clothes. I checked the bag and there were a lot of old jeans in it, which I took. I want to make pet beds with them, the jean material on one side and outdoor fabric on the other for durability. I plan to stuff them with leftover pieces of fabric that I have for softness and birth the two, then stuff. What needle should I use to sew the pieces together? Should I wash the outdoor fabric first? I did wash the jeans. Can I make mug rugs with the jeans? I do not want to make a quilt, too heavy, but any other ideas?

I use a jeans or 16/100 needle when sewing heavy denim.

You can use needles that are called Jean Needles. They are probably size 16 or bigger. They really go thru the seams quite easily. I am always having to repair or hem my grandkids jeans so the are a must here.

As for the question of washing outdoor fabric, I would think it is already preshrunk since it has to hold up to the weather. Would not hurt to was if you are worried about it.

They make needles for jeans and canvas that are sturdy. My rule of thumb is to either wash all of the fabric that I'm using or none. Which considering the jeans were left behind I'd have washed them too. If they are going to shrink I'd want them to all shrink at the same rate; hopefully. Jeans also makes good rag quilts

Jean are great for making bags and purses. A google search will turn up a million ideas.

You can make a lot out of the pockets back pockets. Mini pocketbooks or cell phone. A hanging shelf - 3 - 4 or more
Make a back out of jean leg in a rectangle attach the b pockets on sides and bottom trim or not. Great for mail,
sewing items - make up - hang on wall, locker or car with a loop attached.

I made aprons using the back side & added cotton cloth ruffles on bottom of it and belt round waist

I too have made aprons that way. Red Bandana prints turn out really cute.

Don't discount the jeans for quilts. The younger set loves them. They are great for the beach, picnics, and in the car. I have made a lot of them. I don't quilt them, just tie with crochet thread. They are fabulous.

I love to make ragtime quilts out of jeans and flannel. Also helped a friend make a couple of large throws last Christmas using jeans -one had a pretty fleece on the back and the other a nice flannel outdoorsy print from Connecting threads. Multiple used for jeans.

I would definitely wash ALL the fabric before using any of it including the outdoor fabric. I made doggie quilt for a neighbor. Some of the pieces for softness I stitched together like a crazy quilt top. Put it all together and Chico loves his little doggie quilt. Didn't charge her anything for it because I've used her machine a couple times and she had all the material to work with. Just went to her house and did it. I did get 2 plates of chicken enchiladas w/tomatillo sauce, refried beans and rice and some pineapple empanadas to take home. DH said I did good. I was informed Chico drags his quilt with him everywhere.

All my outdoor fabric said not to put into the washer but just wipe it off. Might want to check yours before you do it.

Make a simple quilt top, and back with flannel and a layer of batting, with a layer of PUL between the batting and back - a great picnic quilt.

Old jeans make great quilts! My mom made quilts for all six of us girls, and for the older grandkids before she had to give up sewing. My quilt is old jeans backed with heavy flannel and it's about 20 years old now. It's been on picnics, at the beach, football games, hockey games, soccer games, wrapped around kids, parents, friends and even elderly strangers, and sick pets on their way to the vet. It washes like a pair of well-worn jeans and the flannel side just gets cozier. When mom made a quilt for our DDIL (our grandson was on a travel hockey team for over ten years), she used old jeans and backed it with a nice heavy fleece to keep her warm in all of the ice arenas. Other hockey moms tried to rent it from DDIL when they were all at tournaments and were going to be spending two or three very long days sitting on cold metal bleachers. They said nothing was ever as warm and comfy as that quilt! Our DDIL said she feels so loved every time she uses the quilt. Our grandson doesn't play hockey or football any more since he's in college - just not big or heavy enough; but he's on the cheer team for Michigan State U so his mom is still using the quilt at the MSU football games this year.

I made this rag quilt this summer with squares cut from jeans and outdoor fabric, washing both before stitching. I stitched with a size 16 needle and had no problem as long as I went slow. I also made this modernistic mug rug for a swap and have made several for me that have somehow disappeared to neighbor and friends.
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Love those mugrugs MaryMO!

My grandmother made me a quilt out of the back pockets of jeans backed with flannel pocket flaps. She doubled the batting and tied it with heavy cording. I used it for winter camping (tent) and it was so warm and snuggly plus it weighed a ton! lol I wore that quilt out camping and now parts of it are pillows for my great niece who never got to meet my grandmother. Other parts are table runners and mug rugs. So it is scattered throughout the family.

I would definitely use a size 16 needle, used for heavy fabrics like Jeans. I would also wash the outdoor fabric in addition to washing the jeans, as it's usually best to use the "wash it all" or "don't wash" theory for quilts, even pet beds. My DSIL has made a number of jeans quilts, using squares of old jeans, especially the pockets, with just a backing of flannel and tying the quilts. I can attest that although they are somewhat heavy, they are indeed very warm and great to snuggle under in cold weather.

Aprons are great, and a picnic quilt with no batting too. Stickers don't stick to denim

I just recently made some "man mitts" out of the pockets, and then some other mitts out of the legs. I was able to squeeze 3 sets out of one pair of jeans. I just used a universal needle, since I didn't have a larger denim needle, and it worked fine. I also used a walking foot during stitching, just to help move the fabric through.

Thanks to all of you for your help and ideas. Love the man mitts, and will consider the rest of the ideas. I have a lot of jean fabric.

I piece some jeans material to put in the gaps to make jeans skirts.
I also put pockets on sweatshirts for my guys. I put a real big pocket on the littlest guy. They gripe and complain when those wear out/get too dirty.

I have a whole stack of my husband's old jeans. They make great bags and are also good to line bags. I made some sling bags several years ago and lined them with jeans. I didn't have to use a lot of interfacing that way and it gives pieced outside a good sturdy lining.

I gave probably 10 pair to a quilter I knew years ago to make jean quilts for her teenagers. She was so happy and said that the kids loved them.

Jean needles....