Tips for Quilting With Denim Jeans
15 Things I Learned From Making a Quilt Out Of Old Blue Jeans
Making a quilt with denim is not quite the same as with other fabrics, and there are a number of things to keep in mind. These tips for quilting with denim jeans can help you out.
I practically live in blue jeans and I’m pretty sure almost everyone does. Of course, once they have worn out, or don’t fit anymore, they basically just take up space.
As a result, you have to decide to either donate them, throw them away, or repurpose them. If they cannot be donated, then why not try making a quilt.
My First Full Size Denim Quilt
Over the years I have made a number of items with recycled jeans, but I’ve never attempted a full size quilt and I learned quite a bit during the process.
It’s not as hard as you may think, but there are some things to consider.
Watch the Video: Tips For Quilting With Denim Jeans
1. Clean Your Machine
Full disclosure here, I’m the first to admit that I don’t clean my machine as often as I should, but working with denim creates A LOT of fabric dust. For this quilt I ended up cleaning my machine every time I changed the bobbin.
2. Wash and Dry the Jeans
This might be a no-brainer for some, but you want to run those old jeans through the washing machine and dryer so you are starting with clean fabric. My husband tends to get oil on his clothes when he is working in the garage, and I would hate for that to get on the other fabric.
3. Use Heavier Sewing Needles
Denim is pretty heavy-duty fabric, so it’s worth it to use sturdier sewing machine needles. I used a 100/16. Many manufacturers have needles labeled specifically for denim.
4. Change Needles More Often
My needles seem to dull fairly quickly when I am sewing with denim. I like to change mine every so often so I don’t run into problems.
5. Press Seams Open
I have made smaller denim items and pressed the seams to one side. It was tough sewing through all of those layers. I also did that with part of this quilt. Mistake! I started pressing the seams open and it made a huge difference.
6. Stabilize Stretch Jeans
If the jeans you are using are the stretchy ones, it’s probably worth it to stabilize with a lightweight stabilizer. It can help with sewing and avoiding stretching.
7. Slow Down
Because denim is so thick, if you sew too quickly you run the risk of breaking a needle.
8. Avoid Using Your Favorite Fabric Scissors
I don’t know about you, but I watch my fabric scissors like a hawk and I don’t use them when cutting denim. Blue jeans fabric can dull scissors, so you may want to use a pair that you aren’t too worried about dulling.
9. Think About The Quilt Batting & Backing
I thought long and hard about adding a thin cotton batting. In the end, I did. I also used fleece backing. Needless to say, my quilt is warm, really warm. I don’t think that the batting made it much harder to quilt through.
As far as backing goes, it’s your quilt so you can use whatever you would like, but, depending on the size, denim quilts are pretty heavy and dense. In addition, denim is not the softest fabric, so if you are planning on using it as a blanket, you may not want to use denim on the back.
Think about backing it with quilting cotton or fleece. I used fleece and my quilt warm and toasty.
10. Think About the Binding
There are a couple of things to consider when binding a denim quilt.
First is the type of fabric. You can use denim, which would look great, but it is super thick to sew through. I can only imagine how hard a mitered corner would be with blue jean fabric. It may be better for you to bind with fabric other than the denim. I used cotton quilting fabric and it worked out well.
Second is the width of the binding. When I bind a standard quilt, my binding is 2 & 1/2 inches wide. Because of the thickness of denim, I bumped the width up to 3″ for my quilt. Before you decide what width you want to use, test out a few different ones. I liked the wider width for the denim quilt because it was easier for me to sew down.
11. Hand Quilting versus Machine Quilting
I love hand quilting, but not with denim. If you can do it, that’s awesome. I think it would look great, especially if you used big stitches and incorporated it into the design. I know from experience that it is tough to hand quilt through blue jean fabric.
However, give it a try and see what you think. You may not have any problems with it at all.
12. Longer Stitches
Because of the fabrics’ thickness, you may want to increase your stitch length. That can help the needle go through more smoothly and avoid any skipping or other problems with your machine.
13. Think About Thread
Consider the thread you are using. I find a stronger thread works well, especially for heavier denim. I used a 30wt cotton for my quilt. Finer thread may break or get tangled.
14. Consider Grain
Denim, especially jeans, has a pretty obvious grain and it is something to think about. That being said, I am notoriously bad about paying attention to grain and I did not have many problems. It’s also not always easy to get a large piece of denim out of a pair of jeans without going against the grain.
15. Weight
Denim quilts are heavy, heavier than you may think. I checked and mine weighed about 7 pounds. I like that heavier feel, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The bulk also makes it harder to quilt together the layers.
If You Aren’t Sure About Taking Jeans Apart
I made this video demonstrating how to take apart a pair of jeans. It isn’t hard, it just takes a little bit of time.
Items That May Help You Make Your Denim Quilt
You can find many of the items that I used to make this project in my Amazon Store.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why Denim?
I hope these tips for quilting with denim jeans have not deterred you from giving it a try.
Jeans quilts look great and, because of their weight, they are nice and cozy.
Additionally, they are earth-friendly. You are keeping a few pairs of jeans out of the landfill.
Lastly, they are cost effective. Not only do you get to wear the jeans, but now you have a new use for them. And you don’t have to go to the quilt store to buy new fabric.
Happy Quilting!
Some Of My Other Denim Projects
47 Comments
Uta Hill
February 5, 2020 at 1:22 PMI totally agree. I used pearl cotton No 3 to hand quilt my denim quilt. I needed several needles and gloves to pull it through the denim – but it looks great.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
February 6, 2020 at 6:49 AMI bet it’s lovely with the hand stitching.
Sandy
February 5, 2020 at 5:53 PMThanks. Claudia! I have a large tub filled with jeans, ready to repurpose!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
February 6, 2020 at 6:48 AMAwesome, have fun
Ann
December 2, 2022 at 8:09 PMThank you for the great tips!
Dianne James
February 15, 2020 at 11:55 AMI would love to make a denim quilt. Can you tell me how many adult jeans it would take to make the various sizes of quilts. Thanks and love your site by the way.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
February 18, 2020 at 7:10 AMThank you so much. The quilt shown used about 8 pairs of adult jeans, but there where plenty of smaller scraps leftover which I will use at a later date. I used larger units so I needed larger pieces of denim. It would be hard to give you specifics for various sizes because it depends on the pattern and the sizes of the jeans. Good luck making your jeans quilt.
Debra Eggleston
April 16, 2020 at 7:25 PMDo you have a pattern for this quilt?
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
April 17, 2020 at 5:35 AMI don’t, but I’m working on one. It’s basically freeform with 3 different units. Thanks for reading.
LizBeth
October 25, 2023 at 5:12 AMAny pattern yet?!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
November 2, 2023 at 11:05 AMYep – Here it is. https://www.createwithclaudia.com/2020/06/freeform-denim-quilt-pattern/
LCT
August 13, 2020 at 2:11 PMClaudia–thanks so much for these tips. I made my first denim quilt early this century and just love it. However in every subsequent denim quilt I am careful to make wider seams (1/2″). I quickly found that with washing and use, the 1/4″ seams began to pull apart. This led to post-laundering repairs: whip stitch closed, fabric glue for permanent mend, then appliqueing denim labels to hide the mend. (I save every part of the jeans when i render a pair!) When I run out of labels, I use sturdy ribbon. I button-tufted rather than quilted, so I also find myself replacing buttons with each wash as well. (Live and learn!) The extra attention seems to renew the quilt as it changes all the time. Thanks especially for the tip for stabilizing stretch denim–that’s a keeper as have been at a loss for a solution! Best, LCT
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
August 15, 2020 at 7:02 AMThanks for your tips as well.
Chris
September 9, 2020 at 12:21 PMOutstanding layout! I love the effect you achieved using the 3 units. Genius!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
September 10, 2020 at 5:40 AMThanks so much!
Diana Alden Gatchell
March 24, 2021 at 9:13 PMI made a queen size. Cut 6″ squares. If there was a hole I put fabric behind it. No batting. I used flannel. We used it for picnics and for our dogs. And yes it surprised me at how heavy it was. 🤪
Cathy
December 10, 2020 at 10:00 PMPlease consider using a half inch seam when using denim. It’s what I did for my first one. The second denim quilt I made in a class. The instructor corrected me about the quarter inch seam and since I was there for her knowledge, I didn’t argue too long about it and I regret it. Face it, denim frays easily: when you cut off your winter jeans into summer shorts, the fraying is the best part. It is NOT the best part after you’ve tossed your denim quilt into the washer for the first time.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
December 11, 2020 at 5:24 AMThanks for the advice.
Diana Alden Gatchell
March 24, 2021 at 9:12 PMI made a queen size. Cut 6″ squares. If there was a hole I put fabric behind it. No batting. I used flannel. We used it for picnics and for our dogs. And yes it surprised me at how heavy it was. 🤪
Dorothy Mcdonell
February 19, 2021 at 12:10 AMI have made several jean quilts and I also use a wider seam. I like the look of a tied quilt. Need strong hands though.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
February 21, 2021 at 5:26 AMHand tied definitely can be tough to do. Thanks for stopping by.
Theresa Dinkins
May 10, 2022 at 1:22 PMI cut mine from top to bottom 9 inches I go down the leg of a gene and the width is whatever is on the leg so it varies from 7 to 8 to 9 to 2 that way I can Leave the pocket on and I saw it right into my jeans quilt and I hand tie with cotton yarn
LidaM
April 22, 2021 at 4:46 PMI’ve been wanting to make a denim quilt. Your tips for quilting denim are excellent! Thank you.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
April 23, 2021 at 5:30 AMThat’s great. I hope you have fun making your jeans quilt! Thanks for reading.
Debbie
October 12, 2021 at 9:09 PMI use my electric scissors to debone my jeans. I also use a staggered seam pattern so I don’t have so many thicknesses in the corners. HTH
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
October 13, 2021 at 6:08 AMGood tip. Thanks.
Linda Neville
September 4, 2022 at 3:00 AMThanks for sharing your electric scissors idea for deboning denim fabric. My husband owes you a dozen roses! My hands aren’t very strong so I always ask him for help cutting thick fabric. I’m just sure I’ll be getting new electric scissors this week!!! (smiles)
Michael Jones
March 13, 2022 at 7:17 PMHello Claudia,
I’m curious to know if my mother’s old Singer sewing machine from the 1950’s would be able to stand up to denim quilting? It weighs a ton but hasn’t been used in decades, although I think that it can do a number of kinds of stitches (Model 99 I think). I thought that I might try my hand at creating a small denim quilt in the near future. Thank you!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
March 15, 2022 at 8:23 AMOh wow, that sounds like a nice machine. Unfortunately I don’t know if it could handle the denim. I’m unfamiliar with older machines and their capabilities. Maybe contact a sewing machine center or something and they could help with that question. Good luck and thanks for stopping by!
Myrissah
March 18, 2022 at 3:36 PMHi, I’ve never made a quilt before so I don’t know any logo but what was the pattern you used for this quilt? I really like it.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
March 19, 2022 at 7:50 AMThe quilt in this article is my Freeform Denim quilt and here is a link to the tutorial. https://www.createwithclaudia.com/2020/06/freeform-denim-quilt-pattern/ Glad you like the quilt.
Dona
March 25, 2022 at 12:08 PMI just made a queen size quilt. I did a Irish chain. the solid squares I put a pocket on. It weights 10 lb with out borders. For the borders I was going to buy denim the 4oz because the quilt is so heavy now. I thought that the 4oz denim would hang better than using more jeans. Do you think it could be quilted on a long arm machine? Do you think the 4oz denim is ok.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
March 29, 2022 at 9:04 AMI’m not a longarmer so I’m not sure if it can be quilted on a long arm machine. Sorry. Maybe ask your local quilt shop. My jean quilt is definitely heavy too. I don’t see why the 4oz would not be ok. I used all different jeans in my one quilt and I have combined denim with quilting fabric in the past as well. But to make sure, do a quick test block to see if you like the way it turns out. Thanks for stopping by!
louise
April 1, 2022 at 9:24 PMI used 1/2 inch seam allowances and opened the seams on my denim quilt. I then used a printed ripstop nylon fabric for the backing without batting between the layers and quilted it with my sewing machine. For the border I used a poly cotton twill fabric and found it sturdy enough to go well with the denim. It makes a great picnic blanket to use on a grassy field or a sandy beach
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
April 2, 2022 at 8:37 AMGret tips. Thanks!
Owen B Prince
April 2, 2022 at 8:58 PMI have some very heavy duty scissors that will cut a penny in half but I do not use them on blue jean denim. The thing that
works best is to get a new pair of tin snips that have a long blade and one with a short blade. You will be able to cut
the seems of the blue jeans with less trouble and save your hands for hand sewing. Only use those tin snips for
cutting blue jeans and not for tin and they will last a long time. I hope this helps you enjoy working with blue jean projects
as much as I do. I have about 200 pair of used blue jeans that I am going to make quilts with. I also made a block of wood
for my mother so she could cut out quilt squares. The wood template is strong so you can use a cutting wheel and keep
all your quilt squares completely square.
Owen B Prince
April 4, 2022 at 11:31 AMI do a lot with blue jean denim. I have a pair of very heavy duty scissors that will cut a penny in half but I do
not use them. I got a new pair of tin snips with the long blade and they work best for denim. The shot blade
tin snips are best for cutting the thick seems on blue jeans. I hope that helps your tips for denim.
Owen B Prince
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
April 8, 2022 at 8:14 AMThanks for the tip!
EnvoyTextiles
June 22, 2022 at 6:40 AMThis is my first time I visit here. That’s really helpful. Thanks for the tip! Keep up your good work.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 22, 2022 at 6:45 AMWelcome and thank you.
Leanne
June 28, 2022 at 1:24 PMI saw a quilt that had 6 inch (or bigger) denim squares alternating with corduroy. Flannel sheet for batting and a regular sheet on the back. It was for a boy’s graduation….good heavy “car quilt” in snowy Minnesota!
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
June 29, 2022 at 7:31 PMThat sounds really nice. I bet it would be nice and toasty!
Pam
April 1, 2023 at 7:32 PMI have all my pieces cut out and am now reading that 1/2 seams are better for the quilt to hold up in the wash. Can I do 1/2 seems with my pieces that i’ve cut already? This is the first quilt i’m to attempt. Thanks for advice.
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
April 3, 2023 at 8:51 AMShould be ok as long as you keep all of the seams the same size! Have fun!
Pam
April 1, 2023 at 7:34 PMCan I do 1/2 seems with my pieces that i’ve cut already? This is the first quilt i’m to attempt. Thanks for advice.
Kathy Ballard
April 28, 2024 at 5:43 PMThis is all brilliantly helpful to know as I’m planning my first denim quilt. When deconstructing the jeans I was going to leave the back pockets on until last in case I want the pocket already in a square. Is there any reason I shouldn’t do this?
createwithclaudia_7j76hs
May 9, 2024 at 7:14 AMYou can leave the pocket on, no problem. It’s up to you and it might be fun to have a pocket on the quilt.