What You'll Need: (aka all the necessary equipment needed to make your own).

1. Sewing machine, in good working order, with plenty of thread. Also consider using a heavy duty sewing machine needle, one designed for use with heavy fabrics or denim. Have extra needles, and thread on hand, just in case.

2. Good quality shears, sharp and thread scissors

3. Rotary cutting mat.

4. Rotary cutter, sharp, and a new blade - just in case.

5. A clear quilting ruler (OmniGrid is one brand.. Mine is 24” long and 4” wide)

6. Yarn for tying (about the size that would be used on a size 7 or 8 knitting needle.), any color.

7. Batting for the middle, to the desired loft (loft = fluffiness factor. I use low loft so it is not excessively poofy). And to your desired measurements. (This can be bought after you finish the top)

8. Material for the backing. You generally want the backing fabric to be about 4” wider on all four sides, than your top. Typically this material is a 100% cotton fabric, but other fabrics can work too... corduroy, a heavy polyester/cotton blend, heavy cotton - twill, flannel, etc,.will work too. Do not choose denim, it will make it extremely heavy. Sheets are also not recommended the fabric is so tightly woven (aka thread count) that it makes quilting difficult. This can also be purchased after the top is done.

9. Basting Pins. These are available at craft stores, Wal-Mart, etc. they look like bent safety pins. For a queen sized quilt, I use two boxes.

10. Needles for tying. These need to be long, large eyed, straight, and strong. I have found that doll making needles work well. As long as it fits those requirements, then it should be fine.

11. Straight pins for pinning the denim together and for use in the binding.

12. Quilting thread for the binding.

13. DENIM! Lots of it. Collect old jeans, old denim shirts. Flannel can also be useful and be a great source of color and texture.

This supply list may seem like a lot, but if you ask sisters at church and neighbors or scout out thrift stores and garage sales, you can probably find some of the materials floating around. The rest are available at craft stores, sewing centers, quilting stores as well as discount department stores like Wal-Mart, Target, A.C. Moore.

Rendering down a pair of jeans or a denim shirt for fabric.

The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to rendering down a pair of jeans or a denim shirt is to eliminate any heavy seams. Heavy seams can be really hard, or impossible for your sewing machine to sew over or through. Rendering down just means you follow the seams, cutting it all apart, removing seems and other metal parts. But here’s a step by step process.

Jeans:

1. Cut off waistband, including belt loops and metal grommets. Discard.
2. Cut off the seams at the ankles. Discard.
3. Cut out zipper/button fly, extra zippers. Discard. (some like to keep these and use them, but for our purposes, we’re going to discard them.)
4. Follow the cut out fly, and cut to the back panel, creating two separate legs, including the back pockets on each.
5. Follow the inner seam of the pant leg and cut the length of it.
6. You now have a flat piece of fabric, instead of a tube, or leg of fabric.
7. Cut out the heavier seam (this is the one that is folded on the outside. If it’s not folded on the outside, still cut it out.)
8. You now have two pieces of fabric per pant leg.
9. Back pockets are up to you.
10. Repeat on other leg.

Denim Shirts:

1. Cut off cuffs. Discard.
2. Cut off the collar below the top button/button hole. Discard.
3. Cut out the button panel/button hole panel. Discard. (some people like to save the button for other purposes, such as mending; that’s up to you.)
4. Cut out the sleeves following the arm socket/sleeve seam. Repeat for other sleeve.
5. Taking the sleeve, cut along the seam that runs lengthwise from underarm to wrist. Repeat on other sleeve.
6. You now have a vest.
7. Cut out the front panels of the shirt. Follow the side seams that run from the end of the shirt to arm hole. Then go to the top of the panel, follow the shoulder to neck seam, and cut. Repeat on other panel.
8. You now have just the back of the shirt.
9. Cut out the top panel of the shirt. This usually spans the shoulder span of the shirt and is generally two ply. This is also (on the inside) where the label is. Follow the seams, and cut around it, cutting the panel out. Discard.
10. You now have just the back panel of fabric left. Cut the bottom seam out. Discard.
    

Finding Denim Obviously your own closets may contain a great supply of old jeans that either don't fit, aren't in style, have a ripped out knee or have other issues making them unwearable, but you can also find denim in other spots... thrift stores and garage sales are great places to find old denim in a variety of different colors and washes. The 80s provided a large range of colors and washes that are great for adding character or for helping to show a distinct pattern or design in your quilt top. Also don't be afraid to ask friends and neighbors for their old jeans - especially the ones that aren't of use to anyone else - ripped out or stained.

Cutting/Choosing a pattern

I said earlier, that one reason I love making denim quilts is because they are so un-fussy, is still true. The one thing you do need to pay attention to is that your pieces of denim need to be generally the same size or measurements.

Because I don’t like measuring, I try to make it as simple as possible. There are many different patterns one can make using denim. But I am going to show you two of the simplest and least finicky. Use your imagination and creativity to make your own look and design.

Strip or Chain Quilting In strip quilting you randomly sew strips or squares of fabric together, until you reach your desired dimensions.

Roman Coins is a type of strip quilting. There are solid ‘columns’ of fabric, next to ‘coins’ (smaller pieces of fabric, same width, smaller height, of different color/fabrics. It is to look like a tall stack of coins.)

We are providing directions for both.

Random Strip Quilting:

Choose the width you want. I generally go with the width of my ruler or slightly wider, about 4 - 6 inches. Lay your fabric on the cutting mat, lay your ruler on top of it so you can see the width and height. With your rotary cutter, cut strips as long the length of the piece of denim you're working with. Keep the width consistent. Since we're working with irregular shapes and pieces of denim, end your strip once the width of the piece starts to narrow. Set any scrap pieces aside for use elsewhere in this top or for another project. Generally, I make my strips about 6” wide and go as long as is available or as long as my ruler (24”). Don’t worry if you don’t have the necessary length. You can always piece shorter pieces together to make longer pieces. Patches and scraps (as long as they are a decent size) have their place and can always be utilized. Save them for tight spots, or use them as aplique on the top as Rebecca has done in her quilt pictured at the right. Once you have your strips cut, start sewing them together into longer strips - Before starting, you'll want to determine the desired length and/or width of the quilt top. If you want your strips to run vertically, you'll need to first determine your length, for horizontal strips, your width. Sew strips to this length, and then sew the strips to each other to the desired end size. Where possible stagger your seams. This helps elevate bulk and hide sewing imperfections.

 

Roman Coins Pattern:
Roman coins is made up of columns of solid color fabric and columns of coins made from pieces of different fabrics in different colors.

When cutting your pieces of denim (columns) and pieces of flannel (or other fabrics for the coins), keep the coins and columns the same width - 5". Only the length will vary. Determine the desired length of the quilt - approximate or exact measurements - either will work. Coins - I cut my coins 5" x 8”. Shorter pieces (less than 8" long) can be sewn together to cut to 5" x 8". Sew the 5" x 8" coins together, along the 8" side, repeating until you reach the desired length. Your strip will be 8" wide and ___" long. Columns - cut strips of denim 5" wide and as long as you can given the piece of denim you're using. Save larger scraps for use in this project or in a future project. Sew each strip together along the 5" side. Create a strip the same length as your strip of coins. Once you have made a stack of coins, and a column of color (they should be the same height), pin them together right side facing each other, sew together. Repeat, until you have the desired size quilt top. FYI - 6 columns and 6 stacks of coins covers a queen size bed. CRAFTY CHIC NOTE: Rebecca's finished Roman Coin's quilt is pictured right. She used old flannel shirts as her Roman coins fabric to add color and interest. Using only denim this could be achieved using all light wash or all dark wash denim for the coins. The higher the contrast between the coins and the columns the more noticeable the pattern and design.

 

Specifics about Sewing the Top together

The rules of sewing apply regardless of pattern.

Once you have cut all of your denim into strips, pin them together with straight pins, right sides facing each other, wrong sides facing out. Make sure that the edges are straight. Space your pins about 2" apart.

If the two pieces you are sewing together are not equal in length, stop, and adding (using one of the scraps you've saved) if you need more length or subtracting fabric, if you need less. Once the pieces are equal, continue.

Once pinned, go to the sewing machine, determine a seam allowance – how much room do you want between your stitches and the edge of the fabric. Given the weight of the fabrics being using I recommend using ½” seam allowance.

Then sew and sew and sew following the directions given for a Random Strip Quilt or Roman Coins, or a pattern you've chosen of your own.

It’s generally easier to sew pieces right to left or left to right - in rows. Also don’t be afraid to put some pieces on their sides, or to put them laying horizontally underneath the other pieces/panels. (Just remember to make sure the lengths line up…)

Repeat this process until your quilt top has reached your desired size. This can be from following a specific pattern, or dimension, or just by spreading it out on the floor, lying on top of it, and seeing if your feet and hands can touch the carpet on either side. It’s all up to you.

Basting

When your quilt top has reached your desired size, you may notice that your edges aren’t even. If this is so, just trim them so they’re even and continue.

Basting is done so that the three layers of your quilt stay together and don’t shift while you tie it.

1. Make sure your backing is about 3-4” wider than your top. Spread it out on the floor. Then take the batting and spread it out on top of the backing. Smooth out any bubbles, wrinkles or folds. Your batting should be about 1-2” less than the backing. Don’t use denim for the backing because it will make the entire thing far too heavy. Use good, sturdy cotton, or a poly cotton blend. If you want to get creative you can take squares of different colors or fabrics (like corduroy and flannel for example) and make designs with the backing. If you are making designs on the backing (as seen in the picture,) make sure the pretty/right side is facing down.
   
2. Then spread out the quilt top of the batting. (You may want a second set of hands for this part). Smooth it out over top of the batting. No part of the top should be without batting. Preferably ½”-1” of batting should protrude from underneath. Smooth out any wrinkles, or bubbles.
   
3. You’ve now made your quilt sandwich. What do we see in the restaurants with big sandwiches? Toothpicks to hold it in place! Bring out the basting Safety Pins!
   
4. With your basting safety pin, poke through all three layers of the quilt sandwich, back up through, and then fasten the pin. Repeat this process all over the quilt, smoothing and spreading the top as you go. These pins will hold the quilt in place until it is entirely tied, and we remove them.

NOTE: There are other ways to baste, but using the basting safety pins (they look like bent safety pins) is by far the easiest and quickest, and isn’t that the whole point of making this type of quilt? Quick, fun, and painless?
But for the record, here are other methods:

Straight pins, you can use straight pins the same way we used the basting safety pins. They will certainly do the same thing. They may be more prone to slip out of place, so use the longest straight pins you can find. If you have dogs, cats, and children, it can be a bit more painful for all involved.

Standard safety pins, can also be used. If you can't find basting safety pins, this might be your next best option. Given the bulk of the denim, batting and backing, use the larger or largest size safety pins to save your fingers, and allow you to really secure a good portion of the quilt with each pin.

Traditional basting is done using a sewing needle with a long length of thread, tie no knots on the thread, and make long running stitches all along the quilt, up and down and side to side, all the while being sure to catch all three layers. Once you've finished the actual quilting process remove your basting stitches. This method is fine and has been used for generations, but is perhaps a little impractical when using such a heavy material and so much more time consuming, defeating the ‘quick’ aspect of this quilt.

Tying

Once the quilt is basted and all three layers are held securely in place. Tying (or quilting - those little tiny stitches) is the quilter’s way to ensure all three layers stay in place permanently, and the quilt doesn't develop bunches of batting in one corner and a big vacant area in another.

1. Decide which side you want the yarn ties to show. If you want the ties to show on the back, that means the little fuzzy parts of yarn will show on the back of the quilt. All that will show on the front of the quilt is a dash of yarn color. If you choose to have your ties show on the top, than the opposite is true.
   
   There is no right or wrong answer to whether you want the ties to show on top or on bottom - it's totally personal choice. Here are examples - the quilt on the left has the ties showing on the back of the quilt, and the quilt on the right has the ties on the front:
   
2. Take your large eyed doll or darning "tying" needles (see equipment list) and thread it with a long length of yarn. Having decided on which side you want the ties to show, poke your needle from that side. (If I want the ties to show on the back, I poke form the back, going through the batting then coming out of the quilt top.) Then make another poke about 3/16" of an inch away from where you first poked your needle through the quilt and bring the needle back through. Then cut the yarn and tie these two ends together in a square knot.
   
3. Repeat this process over the entire quilt. You can do this in rows, or in any pattern you choose. Depending on the type of batting you use will influence how close together your ties need to be. Generally, they need to be 4-6" apart. Also make sure you leave enough yarn on either end to tie a good secure square knot. Afterwards if you want to clean up the appearance, you can trim the ends to ~ 1" long to look more uniform.

You’re in the home stretch now! You’re almost there! You can almost taste it. By now you’re probably already sitting under it while you watch tv, tying and cutting all that yarn. Well, take a deep breath. It’s almost over.

The Binding

For our purposes in this project, we will be using the extra 4" of backing fabric we talked about in the beginning for our binding. We will be folding it over twice, over a small portion of the batting and quilt top.

1. First, trim any and all excess batting if it hangs out of the quilt top more than 1/4".
   
2. Next, take the extra backing fabric and measure how much you have all the way around your quilt. You want about the same amount all the way around... and hopefully you have at least 2" - no worries if you don't, you can make it work. If your backing fabric isn't a uniform measurement around the quilt - you have 4" on one side, and 2" on the other - trim the backing fabric to a uniform measurement. (But read all the binding directions FIRST before trimming to insure you'll have enough fabric to do this binding technique).
   
3. Fold the raw edge of backing fabric to the edge of the denim top and batting. (If you are short on backing fabric try and just turn 1/2" of backing fabric, toward the quilt top. Then fold the remaining fabric over the quilt top and batting. Pin in place through all three layers. Pin every 2" to insure a secure hold. (Remember that extra set of hands you recruited before? You may want to get them back for the pinning portion of this.)
   FYI - The binding is one of the first places to wear out on a quilt, so having a double thickness of fabric here, will help your quilt last longer.
   Start at the end of the top, and pin to the end of that side. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. Just make sure it’s all tucked under and pinned. It will be ok. I promise.
   
4. Thread a hand sewing needle (not the tieing needle, you need something smaller, a normal hand-sewing needle is perfect), tie a knot at the end (and if you want to, knot your needle so the thread isn’t as prone to come slipping out through the eye, but that’s up to you) and you’re ready to begin!
   
5. Make your first stitch coming up from the batting (this will hide your knot). Then bring your needle to the spot where the thread came through, and make your next stitch from the tiny space between the quilt top and the binding. Pull and repeat. This is the basic binding stitch. When you get to the end of the thread, make a knot, cut, and start a new thread.
   
6. When you go to start a new side, fold over the edge that overlaps the other binding, tucking in the loose bits of string and pin again. Then repeat the stitching process.
   
7. Repeat this with the remaining sides.
   
8. Take out the basting pins, and then bask in the realization that, you have just completed your first denim quilt!!!

Want to learn more about quilting? Then you'll want to read our Quilting 101 article! Pictures of beautiful projects and links to free block patterns!