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Saturday, June 1, 2013

What a great pattern!

Don't you love this pattern?  I have been looking for a denim quilt pattern to make use of a full tote of jeans parts that I've had for years.
EDITED on 2.20.16 This is by Alicia at Lucy's Quilts and she makes it available through her Etsy shop, Lucys Quilts, -- for $10.  It goes together like a dream and you never sew denim to denim.  That is exactly what I had been waiting for! PLEASE NOTE.  I DO NOT SHARE THIS PATTERN. IT IS NOT MINE.  Please click on the link at the start of this paragraph and go to Alicia's site.
The sashing is 1" wide and you press to the sashing; the back is flat for quilting as you can see below.  She ties most of her quilts but I will try to long arm this one.  Alicia recommends an 80-12 needle and sewing this was crazy easy.  Her instructions are clear, supplemented with a schematic, and are modified from a Kaffe Fassett pattern. How cool is that?
And the assembly is in sections and not readily apparent when you look at it.  She has made 100+ and I will definitely make more - but not that many more.   This one goes to mriquiltforfun (seen here) for fishing or camping or picnicking or the back of his car or who knows what.  It should be terribly sturdy and last for years.
Alicia estimates that a quilt takes about 5-6 pairs of jeans.  Here is one pair of jeans that I cut up last weekend.  As you can see, there is not a lot of waste when you cut up jeans.  And in my family, we have big jeans.  Our son is 6'5" and mriquiltforfun is about 6' and I'm 5'10". My sister and nieces are much smaller but I'm guessing I only need four pairs of "our" jeans to make one quilt!  I have left in some "imperfections" -- paint, pen marks, small grease marks, unidentified substances. These reflect the history of my family and I like capturing some of it in the blocks.
I made this quilt from the loose jeans you see here and the bags haven't been touched...and then there is the huge tote upstairs waiting for cutting into blocks. I am guessing I have enough enough denim to make another 6-8 of these. Over time -- not in a row.
Like sewing with men's shirts, there is something amazingly rewarding to me to take perfectly good fabric that is no longer wearable due to size or holes or whatever and create a quilt with it.

I hope you are working on something that is fun and easy!

Jan

64 comments:

  1. That's the best denim quilt I've seen!!! The sashing between the denim makes it quite striking. Thanks for the link to the pattern.

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  2. That is the cutest denim pattern I've seen. I have a tin of saved jean patches that could be put to good use with this design. Thanks for sharing it.

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  3. Love this pattern. What is used for the backing? And is batting also used? I think I might have to do this pattern next.

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  4. I love this pattern. I've modified it a bit, and made it with pink sashings.

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  5. Good Evening Jan, This is a perfect quilt for my husband's den. I have been looking to make a quilt for him, but I just wasn't sure what type and then I saw your quilt at Karen's Sew Many Ways and had to pop over to take a look..... and it is perfect.
    I shall be asking around the family for any spare jeans!
    I have enjoyed my visit Jan so I have become a new follower.
    I would like to invite you to visit me at Ivy, Phyllis and Me! when you have the time.
    Best Wishes to you,
    Daphne

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  6. I love this! Definitely pinning! Did you see my blue jean tablecloths I made for my son's graduation party?

    http://restyledjunk.com/2013/05/blue-jean-tablecloths/

    They used up big sections of the jeans, but I have lots of smaller pieces left over.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  7. visiting from sew many ways. This is amazing. I love it. That it is recycled and yet so funky!!

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  8. That is a wonderful quilt! Thanks for the link, I'm going to have to give this a try.

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  9. what a cute denim quilt! sounds like this one had all of the "kinks" ironed out to make the process smooth!

    -Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  10. This is genious! I want to make one of these! Thanks for sharing your version.

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  11. I made a denim and flannel rag quilt, queen sized, for DS and DIL several years ago. Each block was machine embroidered and I used white denim to embroider their names (one letter a block). It was very heavy but beautiful. This quilt is the best I have seen since the one I did and I think I will start saving up jeans again. Thanks.

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  12. Oh my gosh....this quilt is fabulous and perfect for a boy or man. But if you changed to prints and florals, easily a girl's quilt.

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  13. looks great, love all the shades of blue

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  14. Oh I agree this is awesome with the no denim to denim sewing! I have been hoarding all our old jeans just waiting...ty so much!

    I stopped by from the Sunday Showcase Party and would love to have you come visit my project if you get a chance! Happy Monday! http://domesticdeficitdisorder.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-500th-post-string-table-topper.html

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  15. I would have never guessed that was a denim quilt. I think I might have to make one or two or..... I do have a stash of jeans!

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  16. Great project! Very original!!!
    Esther
    ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com
    esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo com

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  17. I love the utility and durability of jean quilts, though I haven't made one yet. I love the pattern you used, your quilt looks great!

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  18. Awesome pattern and it looks great. I don't have old jeans but I appreciate the fact that there is no denim to denim sewing on this one. Should wear like iron.

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  19. This is a great jeans pattern!! I've been working on something similar with batiks but a denim quilt would be great for fishing and stuff!

    Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  20. Wow! Without a doubt one of the most beautiful - if not the most beautiful denim quilt I've ever seen, amazing! Thank you for sharing!

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  21. Certainly didn't realize it was denim until you said so. Beautiful, the strips really do set if off. Yes, it is amazing where you can find fabric. I'm making a quilt from men's shirts for a sportsman's club raffle. Got them by the bagful at yard sales. I bet yours will look far better than mine. enJOYed your post.

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  22. Looks real good!! I love the way the shades came out on here.

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  23. Gorgeous! I have stacks and stacks of old denim just waiting for the right project. This might be it. Of course, most of my old jeans are little boy sizes, so I'll need lots of pairs!

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  24. Wow great quilt looks so nice an flat on the back too.

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  25. Love it–especially how you used the pre-existing stitching on the jeans. You've managed to make recycling look sophisticated–not an easy trick.

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  26. WOW I love this denim quilt! What a great idea and so sturdy! I am co-hosting a party with 3 other bloggers called The Project Stash and it is starting tonight at 8:00 pm EST. I'd love for you to stop by and link up your project! There is also a Shabby Apple Giveaway!

    Marilyn
    4you-withlove.com

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  27. I absolutely love it - love the pattern, love the result. This is going on my to do list right at the top. Thanks!

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  28. Hi Jan I always enjoy dropping in to your blog, that is some amazing denim quilt, love how the different shades compliment each other, ANd framed with the darker fabric. Wish I had time to make it this year LOL. Cheers Glenda

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  29. Recycling at its best. How wonderful that you don't sew jean material to jean material very clever.

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  30. I keep looking at it and looking at it. It's just amazing. The range of colours, the design - you must be THRILLED! Awesome job!

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  31. It looks great, wonderful pattern for denim.

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  32. What a gorgeous quilt! And denim anything is so useful. I'd love if you'd share at Inspire Us Thursday http://organized31.blogspot.com

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  33. Wow! Love it, best denim quilt I've seen - really want to do one now. Thanks for sharing!

    Linking up from WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

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  34. What a lovely jean quilt! The black sashing just makes it so striking. Thank you for sharing - I think I now know what to use my jeans pile for!

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  35. What a brilliant way to use old denims and what a fabulous quilt you have made, bet it will last for years.

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  36. What a cool design. Using denim is such a great idea, and the inspiration from Mondrian's paintings is wonderful!

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  37. What a cool design. Using denim is such a great idea, and the inspiration from Mondrian's paintings is wonderful!

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  38. Best quilt top I've seen made from denim, love it!

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  39. Great pattern and a great quilt from it. The dark sashing is perfect, and i love the idea of keeping some of the stains in the pieces.

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  40. What a brilliant quilt! It looks like stained glass with the black sashing. I have been hoarding jeans to re-purpose as something else, and this might be the perfect pattern! Thanks for sharing :)

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  41. Beautiful! Loving the stained glass look with jean fabric. Wow!

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  42. What a stunning quilt. I also did not realise it was denim until I read. Great way to get lots of subtle shades of blue.

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  43. This is just beautiful!! Blue jeans is something we are not short on. I save mine too. You did such a great job on this! It sure would be fun to try. Thanks for sharing!
    ~Gina
    Gina's Craft Corner http://ginascraftcorner.blogspot.com

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  44. It´s more than fantastic!!!

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  45. Great use of jeans. Would be great as a floor mat too!

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  46. This is awesome! Forwarding it to a friend who wants to make a denim quilt right now.

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  47. That is a good looking pattern for using denim! I love to quilt too and post about my projects and those in my sewing class weekly. Keep creating! Cindy @ sunsetcoasting.blogspot.com
    Following you along now, too!

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  48. Wonderful! I have thought for years of making a denim quilt, because denim reminds me of old Japanese indigo. Now I'm feeling inspired!

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  49. Hello, I love this quilt!! Any tips on how to create it? I am just starting to create quilts and don't know the in's and outs of it!!! Could really use help. You can email me at wendikjerstinbarr@hotmail.com
    Thanks a bunch

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  50. I love this quilt. Could I please I please get the pattern. My email is
    wdmcdo@shaw.ca
    Thank you

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  51. This is a great idea, and a smart patternt too.

    Check out my recycled art here on this link... http://www.behance.net/gallery/GLASS-CANVAS-2013/5562063

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  52. WOULD LOVE THIS PATTERN...need to use up my old jeans and my son would be a perfect recipient for this! Thanks so much for sharing...quilters are such nice people! Love your poodles too.
    kleeworkman@gmail.com

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  53. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  54. Hi, will you send me this pattern please? Thanks! tnulph@live.com

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  55. Hi, will you send me this pattern please? Thanks!simgri05@gmail.com

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  56. Asking for a second time. Can you please send me the pattern. I would greatly appreciate it. carollongw56479@yahoo.com Thanks again looking forward to making this for my son.

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  57. Could you please send me the pattern for the denim quilt. I love it and can't wait to recycle my kis' jeans! kmgradwohl@yahoo.com

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  58. Would love to make this looks so fun!!! How many yards fabric did you use for the sashing? And if you are giving out the pattern would greatly appreciate it if you sent it to me as well. :) pumpkin.pie94@yahoo.com

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  59. Would love to make this looks so fun!!! How many yards fabric did you use for the sashing? And if you are giving out the pattern would greatly appreciate it if you sent it to me as well. :) pumpkin.pie94@yahoo.com

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  60. This came up in an image search for stained glass quilts. What a great use of denim. Thank you for sharing your GORGEOUS version and for pointing me to Lucy's Quilts.

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  61. Geweldig patroon maar hoe maak je de zwarte strepen tussen de blokken?

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  62. Love the concept! Yours turned out very nicely! What did you back it with? Denim? Flannel?

    Thank you!

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