Instructions for Blue Jean Quilting

Crafting your worn blue jeans into a denim quilt can be an enjoyable and useful recycling project. Stonewash finishes as well as denim textures can transform a basic quilted panel into a fashionable showpiece. The quilting influence, which has crossed over from traditional quilted bedspreads into wall art, fashion and accessories, incorporates the use of different fabrics and trims such as embroidered or applique squares. You can make trendy blue jean-inspired quilted items by using quilting basic techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Blue jeans
• Batting (your choice)
• Backing (your fabric choice)
• Ruler
• Flexible tape measure
• Pencil
• Pattern paper
• Paper scissors
• Straight pins
• Fabric scissors
• Quilting or sewing machine
• Quilting thread (your color choice)

Instructions

Preparing Your Blue Jeans for Quilting

1. Choose the type of quilted blue jean project you want to make. For example, you can make a quilted bedspread, wall art or accessory such as a tote or purse.

2. Choose your denim. If you are recycling your blue jeans for this project, keep in mind that jeans have different weights. For example, a 6-ounce denim is lighter than a 12-ounce denim. The weight will impact how you choose to quilt. Hand quilting will be easier with a lightweight fabric. Quilting machines can quilt a variety of fabric weights.

3. Choose your quilting layers. Quilting usually incorporates three layers, which quilters often refer to as the “quilt sandwich”. The top layer for this project will be your blue jean denim; the middle layer is the batting and the bottom layer is your backing. This last layer can be a different type of fabric, such as a flannel or jersey.

4. Choose your batting. Batting is available in natural fibers as well as synthetics. Since denim is a cotton cloth, it is best to use a natural fiber batting. You can also use a polyester and cotton blend, which is readily available at your local fabric store. Batting has distinct properties called the loft, which is its height and depth. A low loft adds a soft feel to the quilt and a high loft, generally used for comforters, gives a plush, thick appearance. Your project will determine what type of batting is appropriate.

5. Measure your project's width and length. You can use a ruler or flexible tape measure. This will impact the quantity of squares needed to complete your quilt as well as the amount of fabric you will need.

6. Measure your denim’s box square dimensions. The box square is the size of your quilting patch, which can be square or rectangle shaped. You can draw your box square with your pencil, using a ruler on your pattern paper. Keep your seam allowance specifications in mind. For example, if you want your box square to finish at 5-by-5 inches, you will need to make a 5 ½-by 5-½ inch square pattern for an all around half- inch seam allowance.

   Choose a box size that divides evenly into the width and length of your project. For example, if you are making a tote that measures 15 inches wide by 20 inches long, you can use a 5-by-5-inch square. Cut out your box square with your paper scissors.

7. Pin your square with straight pins onto your denim. Cut your denim squares with your fabric scissors. The type of quilting project you have designed will determine if you will be cutting your backing into squares or leaving it as a whole piece. For example, if you are making a blue jean-inspired quilted bedspread, you can have a fully quilted denim side and a yarn-dye flannel plaid whole piece for the opposite side of the quilt.

Quilting Your Blue Jeans

1. Stitch your denim squares together. The process will depend on the type of machine you are using, such as a quilting or sewing machine. You can incorporate frayed denim edges into the quilt by stitching the wrong sides together. Instead of having raw seams on the wrong side of your project, your frayed seams will appear as part of your quilting design. More variety can be accomplished by using different stonewash shades or different textures such as cross-hatch denim. You can also match your quilting thread to the color tones of your blue jeans.

2. Choose your quilting technique, such as chain piecing, which is also referred to as speed piecing. Although you can straight stitch your squares together and this step is optional, chain piecing is used for quilting together squares in a random order. The squares are not removed from your quilting or sewing machine and the threads are not cut, which saves stitching time.

   It is best to use this technique when working with fabrics that do not require a specific quilting pattern.

3. Stack your denim squares together. Select how many squares you will need to complete one quilted row. Refer to your project’s dimensions to figure this out. Stitch the wrong seams together for the frayed denim look. Do not remove the stitched squares from the machine. You can slide them to one side and continue stitching. Repeat this process with each row of chained fabric squares until all your quilted rows are complete.

4. Place one quilted row next to a second quilted row. Position the chained pieces side by side and run a straight stitch to connect the quilted fabric rows. Continue the process until your blue jean quilt is complete.

References

• "200 Quilting Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets:An Indispensable Reference of Technical Know-How and Troubleshooting Tips (200 Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets); Susan Briscoe; 2009
• "The Art of the Handmade Quilt"; Nancy Brenan Daniel; 2008

Resources

• Bella Online: How To Chain Piece and Press When Piecing a Quilt Top