How to Make a Quilt Out of Pants

Denim quilts give old jeans new life.

A denim quilt can be a great way to repurpose those pairs of jeans that are thin in some spots but have lots of life left in others. If you reuse an old comforter for the batting, you end up with a cozy, unique quilt that costs you next to nothing to create.

Things You'll Need

• Old blue jeans or other denim clothing
• Sharp scissors
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Blanket or comforter, or quilt batting
• Cardboard
• Sewing machine or needle
• Thread
• Yarn or quilting thread
• Quilting needle
• Contrasting scrap fabric or 1 to 2 yards fabric
• Sheet

Instructions

1. Determine how many squares of denim you will need. Measure the blanket or comforter you are using for a template. Then figure out how many squares you will need to cover that area. For example, if your blanket is 25 inches across and you want to make 5 inch squares, you will need 5 rows of 5.

2. Cut the denim into squares. You can use any size, but 3 to 5 inch squares are recommended. Use the cardboard to make a template so all your squares are the same size. Cut the legs of the jeans open so the material lays flat. Use your template to cut squares. You can use just the smooth denim, or you can incorporate pockets and other details into your squares.

3. Cut your contrasting fabric into squares using your template.

4. Sew the squares together with the machine or by hand. You can alternate denim and fabric squares or come up with your own pattern. When all the squares are sewn, lay the quilt top flat with the right side up.

5. Assemble the quilt. Lay the sheet on top of the quilt top. You may also use regular fabric for this step. Lay the quilt batting or the comforter you are using for batting on top of the sheet. Pin the three layers of the quilt together or sew together with large basting stitches. Then sew all three layers together with the machine or by hand, leaving one large portion of one edge open.

6. Turn the quilt right side out by pulling it through the large opening. Sew the raw edge closed.

7. Tie off your quilt. Thread your yarn or quilting thread onto your quilting needle. Choose a spot on the quilt and pull the thread or yarn through from the top to the bottom, going through all three layers. Then come back up close to the same spot. Tie off the yarn and leave as much "tassle" as you like. Repeat at regular intervals on the entire quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• Flannel makes a great contrasting fabric for this project.

References

• The Family Homestead: Blue Jean Quilt Project