How to Sew a Blue Jean Quilt

Turn some old pairs of jeans into a new cozy quilt.

Make a home decor accessory that shows off your creativity and recycles some old clothing at the same time. A blue jean quilt is a simple scrap quilt, made from uniform squares that are cut from jeans or other denim fabric. Make a single-color quilt by cutting the squares from the same color jeans or create a colourful throw quilt for the sofa from different colored denim jeans. The quilt makes a great gift for a family member or close friend and you can add a flannel or fleece backing to the quilt to make it a warm winter offering.

Things You'll Need

• Blue jeans (or other color denim jeans)
• Iron
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Flannel or fleece fabric (2 yards)
• Denim binding tape

Instructions

1. Spread out the blue jeans on your work surface and smooth out any wrinkles with an iron.

2. Measure a square from the smallest section of one pant leg. The largest square you can make here is the size squares you will use for the entire quilt.

3. Cut out the square and use it as a template to cut the remainder of the quilt squares from the jeans. You will need 180 4-inch squares or 80 6-inch squares for a 48-inch by 60-inch quilt.

4. Lay 12 of the 4-inch squares or eight of the 6-inch squares side by side. Lay another 12 or eight squares beneath the first row and repeat until you have used all of the squares. You now have a 48-inch by 60-inch rectangle.

5. Sew the quilt together by sewing a whipstitch between each adjacent pair of jean squares.

6. Lay the flannel, fleece or other backing fabric on your work surface and cut out a 48-inch by 60-inch rectangle. Lay the rectangle on the backside of the jean quilt and sew the two together with a running stitch around the edges.

7. Cut the denim binding tape to cover the perimeter of the quilt. Cut one piece for each side of the quilt. Slide the quilt edges within the fold of the tape and sew a running stitch to attach the edging.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a bulkier quilt by adding a layer of cotton batting in between the blue jean quilt and the backing fabric.

References

• "Easy Denim Quilts"; Leisure Arts; 2004
• "Quilt: Handmade Style"; Ruth van Haeff; 2006