Tuesday, March 10, 2009

making a denim picnic quilt -- wanna join us?



Here in the Pacific Northwest, it seems like the grass is always wet. Even in the middle of summer with no rain in weeks, I never feel safe sitting on the grass for more than a few minutes for fear my behind will be wet when I stand up. Ever since I moved here I've been wanting to make a denim picnic quilt--one that would be sturdy and comfortable for picnics, fireworks, etc.--that could also keep me dry. I found a great idea for a snap-on bottom to use when the grass is wet, but that can be removed when you wash your quilt.

I found this great vinyl tablecloth in just the right size (60" x 84") for $5 at WalMart. I've been collecting denim since last summer, and I think I'm about ready to start my quilt.


Anyone want to join me? I thought I'd give you a heads up in case you're interested in completing this project before picnic weather. So if you want to make it along with me, start collecting old denim jeans and find a vinyl tablecloth! I can't say exactly how many pairs of jeans you'll need, because it will depend on the size of quilt you'd like to make. Just get as many as you can. Go through your family's closets for jeans that are too small or too big, have holes, or are hopelessly out of style, ask friends and family for cast offs, and check your local thrift store. I'll give you a couple of weeks, then I'll start posting how to make this cool quilt. Who's with me?

Here are the supplies you'll need:
*8-12 pair denim jeans--enough to cover whatever size tablecloth you're using
*Vinyl tablecloth in whatever size you want your final quilt to be
*Rotary cutter and mat, long quilting ruler (mine's 24" x 6")
*Gold jeans thread and sewing machine (make sure you have a "denim" needle)
*Fabric for binding--I'm using about 3/4 yard flannel, but your amount will depend on the size of your quilt and the width of binding you use
*14 heavy duty snap fasteners (mine are 5/8", but any size would work) and the setting tool
*Enough 1.5" wide twill tape to go around the edge of your vinyl tablecloth

share this on »
{Facebook} {Twitter} {Pinterest}
70 Comments

70 Responses to “making a denim picnic quilt -- wanna join us?”

Unknown said...

But would a project like this be appropriate for a beginner... or would you already have to have quilting basics down pat? I've never done a quilt before, but I have many pairs of jeans I'd love to put to use!

Christine

Celia said...

I am a very bad "whatever-along" partner!!! But will love to see your quil and maybe I'll join it anytime in the middle, lol...

Jess B said...

I have four boys and two walmart bags FULL of jeans with holes in the knees waiting for a purpose! Count me in!! I can't wait!!

Sheri said...

have never made a quilt, but I would love to join! It would be perfect for using at the daycare where I work for story time when the littles don't want to sit in the grass cause it's "prickly".

Anonymous said...

I'm in too! I have a growing 14 year old and my brotherinlaw and sisterinlaw are huge "festival" goers.....they'd LOVE this as a gift!

Anonymous said...

Dang! I just gave away 3 sacks of denim to another quilter friend........ ok, time to hit the thrift stores again........ I love the idea of the vinal on the bottom; I'm in!

Ky said...

I'm game! I just got a bunch of Jeans from my boy, never thought about putting a bottom on it! now it's multifuction!!

Anonymous said...

I have been collecting my old jeans for such a project - what a great idea - I never thought about backing a quilt with a tablecloth... I'm with you!

My Precious Peanut Designs said...

This sounds fun! But I am with Christine...would this be an appropriate project for a beginner??? If not maybe I can enlist some help from a friend of mine who sews :)

Whatever Dee-Dee wants said...

I just cut up about 12 pairs of jeans last week. I have been wondering what to do with them. I just might have to join you.

Barb said...

I've been collecting denim forever but still haven't turned it into a quilt so your post has got my interest! When do we start?

angie said...

this is a great idea! i will definitely be following along:)

Anne said...

My husband is constantly putting holes in jeans, This sounds like fun!

Sameday said...

I'm with Christine, I have quilted before but I would consider myself a beginner. Would this be a good choice for me?

Amy Eileen said...

I have never made a quilt before... It sounds like fun. I think. lol Its a great idea for sure. I think having something like this in the car would be FANTASTIC.

Rachael said...

My husband has wanted me to make one for about 3 years. This might be a good time to start. Please post directions. I'd love to follow along.

Trisha said...

I made a quilt like this about 5 years ago. I had saved all the jeans that my son had put holes in and made a "kindergaten and first grade pants quilt". He loves it! I backed it with red flannel. It is by far the warmest blanket in the house.

D said...

I definitely want to make one!

pam said...

I can't wait to see what you come up with, I made a couple jean quilts already (ragged kind), but never seen one done with a table cloth too, I just might have to make another one; I do have a whole box full... Can't wait.

Anonymous said...

I like this idea. I'm in.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I've been waiting for something to inspire me - I'm totally in. Got the jeans, just need the tablecloth.

Lift Up Your Hearts said...

I have been wanting to make the exact same thing but didn't want to use expensive PUL to line it - I'm so in on this!!

jeanie said...

Oh yay! I have been gathering jeans for YEARS to make one, I am in! Thanks for the motivation!

Amanda said...

Oh, hooray! I haven't been able to bear throwing out my family's jeans when the get holy. I just knew the perfect project would come along. No more wet bottom...

Megan said...

I am in... I have tons around my house all in boxes that my husband would be glad that I have a reason to use them... I am ready to start when you are!

Rina said...

I wanna play too!

...but...

...along with the other commentators, I'm a newb. And I don't have a machine.

I do have a box full of denim that I have been saving for denim quilt though, and I have lots of enthusiasm and really really really want a denim quilt...

...so can the newbs play too?

Robyn said...

I would love to try this! Count me in... I have never quilted, but this sounds like a great starting point. (I hope!)

Shorty said...

I would love to join you! I started one years ago, but never finished it because I didn't quite know how to put it all together. Can't wait to see your ideas!

Laura said...

Great idea! Even if you don't need it for picnics in the park it would be great to keep in the car for just in case moments. I may not have the jeans to make it but I would love to see your progress. :)

Angie said...

I love this idea! And, since we're head that way for summer vacation this year, it'll be perfect. Definitely count me in.

Ange said...

I was just going through old clothes today to donate..I'll save the jeans now..this sounds great as we just had a picnic today and a heavier blanket would have been perfect. I'm in !

Angelique

Ange said...

I'd love to join along..I've got a few pairs in the garage..I'll just collect some more..can't wait for more details..

Summer said...

I've been wanting to do this for a couple years now and have been saving all our old jeans. I'm just not sure where to start. I'll be so glad to join in the fun!

Atticelf said...

I've been saving jeans for...??? I've never done a quilt either, but love this idea! I'll give it a whirl...

Julie

Kristin said...

Another NWer here and this sounds like a great idea, I'm in. Looking forward to your instructions.

Spool {} said...

I'm in!

Spencer, Allison, McLean, Lucy, Olivia and Jack Mylymok said...

One very bad quilt is all I ahev made, but as a follower of your blog I am IN!!!!

Lorie said...

Me Me ME!! I have three quilts that I have been wanting to make. One with my Hubbys old baseball shirts (get them out of the closet)

One with my kids old clothes (that I am too sentimental to give away)

And a denim quilt because I LOVE THEM!!

Anonymous said...

Im in! I just made 4 flannel rag quilts for my 4 kids for Christmas-I'm thinking this denim would make a cool rag quilt too-I can't wait to see your ideas! I'm starting my collecting!

Crazy Babs said...

Sounds like fun! Will keep my eyes peeled as I do hubby's laundry for "fabric." I am sure he could part with a few jeans.

carleigh said...

I am ready to go! Got the jeans and the vinyl tablecloth. Do you have your own method or are we just cutting and piecing? I haven't seen a pattern with vinyl before, very smart!

MaR said...

I am less than a beginner and I simply love your blog. I might try making one, if it is simple! will closely follow your posting anyways.

LFinn said...

I just ruined a fairly new pair of jeans by splashing them with bleach, and I was trying to think of something to do with them. This is great idea, and something I could use with my kids! Thanks for this idea. Do you use all of the blue jeans, or just parts? I can't wait to see how this comes together.

Anonymous said...

I would love to make this quilt...what a great idea for picnics before the summer symphony conerts. Knew I was saving jeans for some reason!

Crafty P said...

I've been saving our "wholey" jeans for sometime now and have a vinyl tablecloth just waiting for a purpose! count me in!

Anonymous said...

I would love to finally use the stash of old jeans i have saved for years - please count me in. I would also consider myself a beginner, i hope this isn't a problem.

Karen said...

What a perfect idea, esp. with the vinyl! I just removed many pairs of too small jeans from my kids' rooms, so I'm in! Can't wait!

Anonymous said...

I would love to make one with you. When do we start?

Tricia said...

I would love to join in. I have a whole tote bucket of boys jeans with holes not to mention the twenty-something pairs my husband refuses to get rid of because they don't fit! I bet he won't even know they are gone.

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to make one of these and have saved the jeans! I can't wait!

Mojavi said...

awesome count me in too.... I have TONS of jeans that don't fit me!!

Cleo said...

pick me pick me!!!! That sounds fabulous ... I am going to start collecting!!

Anonymous said...

I'm in! Already have a stash of jeans and everything!

Ashlee said...

I'm in as well! Can't wait. I've had a basket of jeans sitting for almost a year waiting for me to make a quilt out of..I like the vinyl side idea!

Joyce said...

I'm in, I'm in!! Can't wait!

Sarah Bonn said...

I don't think I'll be able to do it this time, but I will definitely file it away for the future. I'd love to hear how well the vinyl tablecloth works.

amy & lisa said...

I started cutting squares out of our jeans a couple years ago. Did I finish? NO! I want to make a family jean quilt. I'll be very excited to see what you make with yours and maybe I will get back to it with mine. :)

Leslie said...

I love making quilts out of old jeans & never thought to use a vinyl tablecloth. I would love to see it & try it myself.

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to try my hand at quilting and if this is an easy one to start with I am game! I will keep an eye on your blog for further instructions.
Thank you for the invitation!
Sarita

Sarah said...

Sounds great! I like your idea with the tablecloth, I am ready to learn! I have jeans stacked up from wanting to this for the past 2 years! I also plan on making a memory jean quilt for my mom with all her grandchildren's outgrown jeans as patches and using printable fabric to put their pictures on a patch.

Anonymous said...

I'm in too! I have been collecting my old jeans for such a project When do we start?
Sherri

Kristi said...

sounds great! i'm in!

darriemae said...

What a great idea!! You have so many cute things on this blog. I'm gonna have to thank my friend for sending me to it. I am definitely going to be a loyal follower of your blog!

KatieJ said...

I'm thrilled to have found your blog! I have been hoarding old jeans for years with the plan of making one of these- I love the vinyl idea too. I'm in.

allthingsrobbin said...

I would love to make a quilt with you! I actually found the same vinyl tablecloth in WalMart and have plenty of jeans...so I'm ready to go!

RootsAndWingsCo said...

I have a jean quilt! It did give me something to do with all those outworn jeans! I've had it for years and absolutely LOVE it! I figured out the biggest size blocks I could get out of them and made a template and cut this out of as many pairs as I could. Then I made blocks that were smaller in increments of 2 inches and kept cutting until I was down to 2 inch squares. I love all the different size patches! Fun fun fun

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to start . . . the denim is piling up! Ha!

Laurie said...

I can't wait!!!

I will have to pick me up a vinyl table cloth.

I think I have enought denim for this project.

Angie said...

Love it! I'm in.

Anonymous said...

Just got done cutting up denim I got for free. Can't wait to start!

LinkWithin Related Stories Widget for Blogs