Railroadersbrat

Okay, I've got this idea brewing in my head for doing one of those shabby chic circle quilts using my fiance's old jeans, but I've got a question about it.

The fabric I'm going to use with it is a bandanna print I found on Amazon that is the cutest and super colorful, but I'm not 100% sure on the thread or the needle. I know it's going to depend a lot on what my machine can handle, which judging by the needle chart, it says to use a size 18, but I'm worried that it might punch too big of a hole in the fabric.

I'm also wondering about thread, am I right to assume a regular dual duty thread will work? I'm just really worried about the fabric. Has anyone found the sweet spot to quilting with denim?

Barb in Louisiana

What is a shabby chic circle quilt? I Googled it and Mr. Google let me down, or I didn't recognize what he was showing me. lol Is the denim and the bandana print to be mixed on the same side?

I have never made a quilt with denim and probably won't. I live in Louisiana and it would just be too hot and too heavy. But I have repaired denim jeans a time or two in my life. Not all jeans fabric is the same. If the weight is more like regular cotton, then you can use a lesser size needle. If it is regular Wrangler's or Levi's, and you have two layers of jeans together, then you may have to use the size 18 needle or even larger. Not all sewing machines will even sew that heavy of materials. I always sewed the jeans with size 40 mercerized thread which was a cotton thread at that time. I don't even know if they make that any more. I would do some test seams to see what your sewing machine likes.

aashley333

I made a jean quilt from a trunkload of old cowboys' Wranglers and Levis, mixed with cotton fabric. After breaking 3 needles, I purchased #100 size ones that worked! The package said for blue jeans, even. Stitch slower, there is a lot of fabric to get through. I pressed seams however they made the least bulk. I still have lots of jeans left over, and I'm waiting for my next inspiration! I will be watching to see what you do!


New Member in South Texas--Blue Jean Quilt

QuiltnNan

This is what I think of for that term https://www.pinterest.es/pin/430797520591966193/

ckcowl

You can purchase Jeans Needles. They work great for denim quilts. We have made lots of them. I’ve never used ( Duel Duty) thread. I use Aurifil most of the time, threads from Superior Threads and Connecting Threads for denim I usually use polyester because it is stronger 40 or 50 weight.

GingerK

I have made a few denim quilts. I also used needles labeled 'denim'. I think they were sized 14 or maybe 16. I sewed down the circles about 1/2 inch from the edges and then ragged the edges. This Youtube gives pretty good instructions.

Tartan

The denim circle quilt works up fairly easily. I useD a regular 50 weight thread and I think a regular needle when I did one. The advice I can give you is....sew sections together and then sew the sections together at the end. The denim gets heavy so sections is the way to go.

oksewglad

The denim needle is stronger with a sharper point so it will pierce the fabric better. Don't worry about your cotton fabric...it will be fine. I repair lots of farm jeans here and often go over 3-4 layers of fabric. I never use anything smaller than a 100 (16). aashley333 and Tartan's advice are spot on!

Railroadersbrat

Thank you, QuiltnNan, that's exactly what the pattern is. It will only be one layer of denim and fabric per circle and then the circles are stitched to form a faux Cathedral Window look. I haven't dug out his jeans yet, he's got like two full dresser drawers full of jeans he can't wear anymore and they're just too blown out to donate, they'll throw them out if I try. Also going to deconstruct them for their zippers. The charm pack I'm looking at has 56 pieces, I actually think he's got enough jeans I can do up the whole pack.

Jordan

I just finished 5 denim/flannel rag quilts. I used a needle that stated on the label that is was for denim and I just used Aurifil thread. I made my stitch a little longer in length and usually double stitched the patches so they would not tear out. I also had to stitch a little slower. It was slow and steady for me. Good luck to you.