Jeans Rag Quilt

Instructions

After cutting up the jeans and flannel into 6 1/2 inch squares, sandwich the squares with 5 inch squares of batting. The batting doesn't even have to be square it can be made from smaller strips laid next to each other. You'll need 120 squares of each jeans and flannel. I like to put flannel on one side and jeans on the other. I also use several prints of flannel, but one or any number will do.

Next stitch and "X" on each square from corner to corner. You can mark the line to sew on or eyeball it. I then pair two squares with flannel facing the same direction until I have all of my squares joined together in pairs. Make your seams at least 1/2 inch wide.

Lay them out on the floor with the seam side up and arrange the blocks in any order you prefer. Sew these into strips of 12 and then begin sewing the strips together. At the seam intersections turn one seam up and the other down to even out the thickness. At this point the quilt gets rather heavy to handle so having extra table space is helpful. Also, be sure that your seams are always on the same side.

Once your quilt is complete stitch around the outer edge, stitching 1/2 inch from the edge. Now it's time to begin the fringing. Special scissors are helpful, the kind with a spring to open them. Fringe each seam and around the edges.

Shake out the quilt often and maybe even toss it in the dryer for a go round. Once the quilt is washed and dried you will have a beautiful quilt to snuggle with. After cutting up the jeans and flannel into 6 1/2 inch squares, sandwich the squares with 5 inch squares of batting. The batting doesn't even have to be square it can be made from smaller strips laid next to each other. You'll need 120 squares of each jeans and flannel. I like to put flannel on one side and jeans on the other. I also use several prints of flannel, but one or any number will ...
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Category: Quilting

Type of item: Functional

For: Unisex

Style: Funky, Cute, Whimsical, Outdoorsy, Casual

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Materials

Used jeans cut into 6 1/2 inch squares, flannel cut into 6 1/2 inch squares, batting scraps (Warm and Natural) Labels from the jeans and some pockets or trims too

What was your inspiration?

At work a non quilter came up with the idea to make herself a quilt using old jeans, none of her blocks were the same size, not all of her rows were the same length. It didn't matter said she, I'll just chop them off. Elaine did not even use correct, acceptable sewing terms. We laughed a lot!

We worked at an elementary school and asking people to save their old jeans was easy. With bags full of denim supplies I began neatly cutting my materials into squares. That's the difference between "just chopping" and an anal quilter.

What are you most proud of?

These quilts are so heavy, so durable and so popular. Each member of my family has requested and received one. They are great for throwing in the car for taking to a ball game, taking a snooze under or having a picnic on. I've made 14 so far. People are still saving their old jeans for me and I've since retired and moved to another country. I'm helping the continent to recycle and everyone seems to be benefiting.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Spread the word that you need old jeans. They work so well in other recycle projects too. Cut away the seams, throw away the waist bands, rivets and zippers. Save a few pockets and labels to embellish some of the blocks. I've stitched the labels back on the squares and put pockets of a few edge blocks. It's nice to have a pocket to place your keys and such if you're on the beach or a picnic, or a place to tuck a tissue or even hide a snack.