For many years, my husband worked outside and went through a lot of jeans. They'd get stained, ripped, worn out, painted on, you name it. It seemed like such a waste to throw all of that naturally weathered material away, so I started saving it. I managed to accumulate enough to make 2 quilts that are very useful for picnics because of their weight and durability (don't want a cactus sticker poking through :P).
This one is called, "Hard Days Work" because of the origin of the material, and I used a log cabin pattern. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I cut as I went and tried to mix up the worn colors as best as I could.
I am really happy with how it turned out. The black squares provided a center-piece for each block, and then the black sashing that frames each block kind of finishes them. I don't usually skip borders, but I felt like this quilt didn't need it (and it was getting pretty heavy already).
I did, however, really want to complete a denim back, which kind of turned into its own quilt because of the diagonal piecing and the worn and weathered attributes of the denim. I love the back as much as the front.
Rather than trying to quilt this (way too thick and heavy for my machine to handle) I decided to just tie it with yarn. I chose a coral-colored yarn left over from another tying project I completed for a friends baby quilt. I also didn't bind it, but rather sewed the back and front together and turned it right-side-out and hand-sewed the opening.
Now I am ready to do it again. I have found new pattern ideas and I am restocking my denim. Unfortunately, my husband isn't going through denim like he used to, so it's going to be a slower process for sure.
Great work! I bet that's heavy, but you're right - perfect for picnics.
ReplyDeleteGot a chance to use the quilt today and it works great. Love it for picnics! Thanks for the comment.
DeleteA great satisfaction in using up meaningful fabrics. Bet your hubby is proud too:)
ReplyDeleteI think my hubby wasn't sure what to think when I told him I wanted to cut up his old jeans to sew them back together. He was impressed with the finished product, though. :) Thanks for the comment.
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