I love this quilt. It’s made from old jeans and backed with fleece, so it’s pretty much the coziest quilt ever. And even though the overall design is rather simple, the hand stitching is my favorite part, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out.
Last fall I chopped up a bunch of old jeans that had previously been worn by me, my husband, and my mother-in-law. I decided to make a brick pattern quilt, so I cut out lots of rectangles and a few squares. The finished size of each rectangle is 4×8″, and the overall finished size of the quilt is about 58×67″. The size of the rectangles was determined by what I thought would be an efficient use of the denim, and the size of the quilt was determined by the width of the fleece backing!
Stitching the quilt top together was a quick process that only took me one evening, but then I put the project on hold for about a year — not because I had a baby, but because I couldn’t decide how I wanted to quilt it or knot it!
I considered lots of ideas for stitching the top to the bottom, but none of them seemed right. Regular quilting was out of the question because denim is too thick. Machine quilting using the “stitch in the ditch” technique seemed too visually boring, and machine stitching in anything but a straight line would have been very difficult due to the bulk of the fabric. Knotting it seemed too casual — even for a quilt made out of jeans.
A light bulb finally went off in my head when I realized I didn’t have to follow the quilting “rules.” I could do whatever I wanted to! So the decorative stitching on the quilt does NOT connect the denim to the fleece — it’s only on the denim layer. I used crochet cotton to make long running stitches in a stairs pattern, which breaks up the brick look and creates a bit of a chevron effect.
I knotted the fleece to the denim with the knots to the BACK so they don’t show up at all on the front. There are 42 knots in a grid at the intersections of the rectangles. There are six knots going across and seven going down, but I didn’t take a picture that shows the placement.
I made a nice wide binding (about 1.5 inches), sewed it on, and thought I was finished, but the binding looked too plain. Also, the binding was so wide that I was afraid it wouldn’t lay flat after it was washed or heavily used, and I thought the mitered corners would eventually not look crisp. So I used the same white crochet cotton to stitch three rows of running stitches in the binding. Only the row closest to the denim goes through all the layers — the other two rows only go through the fleece and the binding.
I listened to several episodes of This American Life while I stitched the binding, and it was time well spent. The detailed stitching on the binding is the perfect finishing touch.
Calling this a “quilt” sounds too fancy for something so cozy, so I usually just refer to it as the “denim blanket.” Whatever you call it, I put it to the test last night when we went on a hay ride in 35-degree weather, and I’m pleased to say that I was nice and toasty!
Hi! I'm Rachel, and I'm so glad you're here. I make creative projects and intentional choices to create a life I love -- and I hope to inspire you to do the same! 
I love it! very creative and doesn’t look like a super heavy denim blanket.
I love the jean blankets. Do u sell them?
Thanks! I’ve only made one, so I don’t have plans to sell any.
I’d definitely be interested too, if you sold them! 😉
My boyfriend has wanted a jean blanket for quote some time! If you decide to make & sell please do let me know (cause I do NOT sew 😉 ) acoral09@yahoo.com
Hi Rachel,
I wanted to thank you for your inspiration. I am still in the cutting process of my husband’s old jeans. I was searching Google Images and my attention was drawn to your denim quilt.I hope to show you mine when I ever get it done! Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you found something that inspired you. I’d love to see your quilt when it’s done!
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I love this! I am in the process of collecting jeans now. Just curious, did you still use a batting or not because it’s already so thick?
Hi Michelle! I didn’t use any batting — it’s very warm and heavy with just the denim and the fleece backing.
Thank you! That’s what I thought but just wanted to make sure
I am cutting my jeans for a quilt and was planning on using fleece or flannel for the back side, I like the idea of decorative stitching on the denim side only and ties only showing on the back. First I do not understand how you only had 42 ties as there are more intersections than 42 and I don’t see how you could tie the denim to the fleece and not see a stitch on the denim side. What thread did you use for the ties and did you leave a long thread or cut it close. Can you take a picture of the fleece side and also the denim side where there is a tie?
Hi Emma Jo! I used crochet cotton for the knots, and left tails about two inches long. The reason you can’t see the knots from the top is that I made a small stitch right in the “ditch” of the seam between blocks, so the thread just kind of disappears into the ditch when it’s pulled tight.
So if you’re looking at the picture of the full quilt, the first knot is two columns over and one whole brick down from the top. Each full rectangular block is 4×8″, so the first knot is 8″ down and 8″ over from the top left corner. The next knot is 8″ (two columns) over from that, and so on. The next row of knots is 8″ down from the first row of knots. Does that make sense? Hope so!
And yes, I think I used quarter-inch seams.
Rachel Thanks for answering so quickly, just quit sewing for the day, won’t be able to work on it till late Tuesday.
Did you use a quarter inch seam ?
I found this on Pinterest. I’m going to make the brick style blocks for a project for my sister. (she wants a window seat cushion). Mainly I’m commenting because I love the idea of only tying on the back. I’ve been leery of tying as well. Not sure if I’m up for hand-quilting but I think I could machine quilt on top like you did… or skip the quilting altogether. I had already been planning on making denim quilts with only a fleece for the back. I’m trying to go into business using all recycled materials and it’s encouraging how much interest you had in people wanting to buy your quilt!
Any chance you would rent this out for a photoshoot? Pretty please!!
Hi Linda! If you’re local (Philly suburbs), I would consider it, but otherwise I don’t plan to let it out of my sight. 😉
We already did our photos, plus I’m in CA. I still love your quilt, so I don’t blame you for not wanting to let it out of your sight. 🙂
Just had to tell you, this is the nicest denim blanket I have ever seen-and the neatest. the hand stitching is so nice. You have to be proud of this.saw you on Pinterest and had to comment
Thank you for your kind words! Your comment made my day!
I totally agree with Joanie! I shall try to use it as inspiration for my denim scraps. Really the nicest!
Hi Rachel:
I too make denim quilts and I love your pattern but \I cannot understand how you tied it
Can you post or send me better pictures please?
Hi Jean! I gave a more detailed description in a comment above in reply to Emma Jo’s question about the knots. I hope it’s helpful!
Your crisp piecing, color distribution and beautifully done hand stitching have elevated the lowly utility quilt. Thank you for sharing the creative journey.
So beautiful! I haven’t looked, but do you have any tips on the wide binding? I LOVE it.
Hi Gretchen! I described the wide binding in the post, but if you have specific questions, I’d be happy to answer them!
Great idea on the quilting. I just finished the top and I don’t want to let it sit for a year.
i am not familiar with crochet cotton. Did you just use one strand?
Yes, I just used a single strand. Crochet cotton (also called crochet thread, I think) comes in a spool and would likely be found near the yarn.
Are you talking about pearl cotton?
Hi Donna — pearl cotton is a different product, used mostly for embroidery. Crochet thread is what you might use to crochet a doily… or knot a denim quilt. 🙂
Fabulous piece! I was doing a Google search and this quilt immediately caught my eye! Well done, it’s absolutely gorgeous. I would love to try one! I would love one as a throw on my couch. Quick question… When you cut out the rectangles, what were the measurements before stitching? And the squares as well?
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful skill!
Hi Edith! Thank you for your kind words. I think I allowed for 1/2″ seams, so the rectangles would have been cut as 5×9″ and the squares would have been 5×5″.
Dear Rachel,
Many, many thanks for the response! You are very kind! I shall get started right away!
I shall post a pic when done… 🙂
All the best!
Your quilt is fabulous! I really live the big stitch quilting on thr binding. I also use #10 crochet thread to quilt with. I love it.
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Hi! I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!
Just wondering if you used any stretch denim in the making of your quilt. I’m very interested in recycling some my old jeans and my husbands. Mine are stretch and his aren’t. I’m pretty new to sewing. Do you think it will make much of a difference if I use both kinds?
I can’t recall if I used any stretch denim, but I don’t think it would be a problem to combine the two in a project like this.
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Hi,
Love the quilt, just curious how many pairs of jeans you used.
Hi Karen — that’s a great question, but unfortunately, I have no idea!
Rachel,
Love your quilt… I just made my son a king size one.. Got the top
done and all the stitching now to put the fleece on the back..
I’am not sure how to do the knotting how close togather I should
space them… A picture would be great on the back…
Thanks so much!!!!!!!!
Such a beautiful quilt…I’m looking for inspiration, and I think I found it!
Quick question about the stitching, did you use the crochet cotton in your sewing machine, or did you hand stitch it all?!
Hi Leah — all of the crochet cotton is hand-stitched.
I don’t understand the knotting on back, could you show it, is binding a separate piece from fleece on back?
WOW! What a neat idea. Quilters are the best people They have great ideas and are caring by sharing with others. Thanks. You did a great job.
I’m having trouble with the top stitching with crochet thread. It is too large to go through the denim but looks to be the same size thread as your pictures. Any advice would be much appreciated!!
Hi Rachel! I found your post on Pinterest and your denim quilt shines far brighter than the usual ones that are shown. Your creativity is amazing!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your project and to give details regarding construction. I have been quilting for quite some time and especially enjoy the long stitch method using crochet cotton. Now I am inspired to try a denim quilt!
Thanks for sharing. My granddaughter just got a sewing machine for her birthday and I am teaching her how to sew this Jean quilt! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing. I just washed 92 pairs of jeans and can’t wait to start your cute quilt.
Hi Rachel,
Making a queen sized denim quilt for a friend’s husband. Have incorporated some foundation piecing around photos and the filler are strips of denim.
Once I get the top together, I’m going to try hand quilting with the crochet cotton. What type of sewing needle did you use?
Rachel
I’ve been saving my babies (3) denim. They are now 10, 8, & 6. And think I have enough to make them each a childhood denim blanket. I’ve made the small 4×4 quilts before with the knots at the corner.
I like how your knots are on the back. This has solved this wondering problem I’ve had!
I’m trying to decide on how to make them unique to each kid. Many of my girls jean pockets have stitching designs, and my boy has the Wrangler tool loop…. Or I could hand stitch there name decoratively… ☺️
Thanks for posting this!
Love this quilt. To make it mine I added some plaid along with the blue Jeans. I just finished the hand stitching on the top. I used a gold color to mimic the stitching on the sides of some jeans. Not as even and neat as yours but I did it bouncing down the road, in the truck, on long camping trips. It has that really really hand done look to it! Now to find the perfect backing and binding.
I’ve been collecting family jeans for a while but delayed making a denim quilt because of bulky seams. This brick pattern solves the seam-matching problem and looks better than square blocks. Thanks!
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I started cutting the jeans today but I was going by the 4×8 dimensions so I have about 50 cut at that size and I just read your answers to questions and you said cut 4×9 pieces. Do you think I should start over because the bricks will be 3×7 the way I have them cut. I love your quilt. I didn’t read all of your reply’s until now. What do you think, will the bricks be too small?
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Doesn’t the white crochet cotton turn blue in the wash?
HI Piroska — I don’t wash this quilt often, but the denim is all from jeans that have been washed many times, so I haven’t had any trouble with the dye bleeding onto the crochet cotton.
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Thank you for the lovely quilt idea! I have a stash of old jeans I’ve been collecting for a while. So far I have 76 bricks cut and 16 squares. There are still more jeans to cut up so I’m sure I’ll have plenty of denim. I will do the stitching in gold like one of your contributors mentioned and I have some gold fleece for the backing. I’m excited to start sewing! My question is when you tie your thread to the back how can you see where your stitch is coming through on the front without constantly flipping the quilt over?
I wish I could remember! 🙂 It’s been so long since I made this denim quilt that the details are pretty fuzzy. I probably reached underneath and poked my needle up from the bottom, then pushed the needle back through to the bottom again, then repeated that at multiple intersections. Then I would flip the whole thing over to trim and knot the threads. But that’s just a guess! Good luck with your quilt — the gold thread sounds gorgeous!
Fabulous! We go to the beach a lot and this would be perfect for that! I might have to use a different backing that sand wouldn’t stick to, but what an inspiration. Yours is really wonderful!
Hi Rachel,
I love this denim quilt! If i were to make one do you think i could make the top stitching as you did to the quilt top, and then sew the quilt in the ditch to the backing as well?
Must be heavy blanket if made tht many jeans
What seam allowance do you use for this blanket?
1/4″ or 1/2″ ? I’m making a denim quilt and I love your pattern including the hand stitching! I’m ready to cut the jeans up so I need to allow for the seams. Thanks for the inspiration.
I really like the brick-block quilt out of old denim jeans. I have a big stash ready to go. Do I order this pattern or how do I get it?
JOAN WILLIAMSON
120-1101 2nd Ave. SE
SWIFT CURRENT, Saskatchewan, Canada S9H 5M6
e-mail address: bojowill@sasktel.net
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Hi, I just saw your great denim quilt (Jan 2022). I have never made a quilt with denim, but really like this because the seams are offset, so less bulk. Someone in my family has just asked me to make them a denim quilt.
Do you still use a 1/4″ seam allowance with denim, or something else?
Did you cut the rectangles at 4 1/2″ by 8 1/2″, unfinished size?
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Hi, thanks for the inspiration. Love the sticking with crochet thread. I have not done hand sticking, do you have a trick for your stitches to be do even? I would guess practice and eyeballing it? Any tips would be appreciated. Hoping to be able to complete by August when my daughter goes off to college. Thanks in advance for any tips you can give.
Thank you for posting your quilt and writing about how you made it. I really like it.
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I also love the denim blanket! but i would like to see the back. I want to use up old jeans and im not a huge fan of sewing so im looking for something not too difficult. I’m just not catching on to how you just stitched the denim and then the back? So you put jut the denim piece in a quilt frame and did the big stitching with crochet thread? and then did you put it in the frame upside down to get the knots on the back? i’m sure you can tell I’ve never done a quilt all by myself!
Hello Rachel, it’s early spring 2024 and I am ready to launch off on my first denim quilt. I really like the simplicity of yours and the detail in the top stitching. Wish me luck!
Rosemary