Quilting with denim is a unique and fun concept. Denim is durable and
so rugged that it's a great fabric to use in a quilt. It does come with a few
challenges that can be overcome, and starting with these 5 essentials
to quilting with denim, and the articles that follow, we'll explore brilliant
solutions and two fun quilts you can make and an adorable little mug rug.
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Ready to dig out the denim and embrace it in your quilting life?
essentials to quilting with denim
Jackie White
Tips on sewing with denim
All types of denim are fine to use when making
quilts. If you're going to use stretch denim, be sure
to back it with a stabilizer. When working with
any denim, but particularly the heavier and thicker
denim, be sure to use what they call a jean needle.
The story on denim
Denim gets its ruggedness from the weave, the
‘twill weave’ to be exact. The yarns are woven so
that one set of yarns sit on top of 2-4 sets of yarns at
regular intervals to create a diagonal textured fabric.
This gives it the lasting effect of the fabric.
You can also buy different types of denim as well.
There's a stretch denim that has spandex yarn
added to it to give it a bit of elasticity, heavy denim
you find on jeans, printed denim and a lighter
thinner denim to use.
One of the most fun things about denim is that no
two pieces are alike. Especially when cutting up old
jeans. They have been washed different amount of
times, worn more or less and each piece of denim is
completely unique and each has a story!
Wash and dry your denim before using to combat
any shrinkage issues.
If you can choose between lightweight and a
heavier weight denim, choose the lighter, it's easier
to quilt.
Use the walking foot for better control.
Take your time. Due to the fact that denim is a
heavier fabric to work with, you don't want to be
shoving it under your machine. Go slow and set
a nice pace so that the fabric is not being pulled
or pushed through your sewing machine causing
uneven stitches or needle breaks.
Be aware that denim can fray.
Try pairing denim with quilting cotton to ease up
on bulk and weight.
Denim really is a fun fabric to use in quilting
because it has so many unique characters to it. The
various shades, types, and all the different ways you
can use it in your quilting. You don't have to make
a quilt out of it, think of the quilted accessories it
would be wonderful for!
QUILTsocial
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| issue 6
Quilt blocks of denim and cotton fabric
Photos by Jackie White
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