Denim Quilt for Riley
I was thinking about making quilts for all the grandkids. But then I started thinking about how many that would be. Zowie. So many grandchildren, so many quilts. I already made one for Piper last year. And I finally finished one for Riley, the oldest. As a 14-year-old, a quilt from Grandma is probably the last thing he wants. Too late, it’s made and delivered! A very manly denim quilt made from old jeans. Some of them were Riley’s! I even reused some of the old pockets. Which I think is very cool. But I’m not 14.
I turned to Pinterest for some ideas and pinned just about every denim quilt available out there. But wasn’t really happy with any of the designs. I had made a log cabin pillow a few years ago and was disappointed with it. The denim just kind of melded into one big blue color.
Then I found this one from I Quilt for Fun blog.
Perfect!
I changed the block design but used the black sashing concept and this is what I created.
I just used very simple straight line quilting since I didn’t think Riley would like a bunch of flowers or hearts on it.
I made a useable pocket for the quilt label.
Here’s another photo…
I used one yard of Timeless Treasures Sketch Navy for the binding and had enough left to make a matching pillowcase. It has a slight hatch pattern to it. Very pretty–but masculine! I wanted the backing to be nice and soft and warm (Riley lives in North Dakota (brrrrrr)) so I used a navy blue Minky. Because this selection is 90″ wide, I only needed 2 yards. By the way, that was really warm to quilt with during the heat wave we had this Spring. In the future, I’ll only be quilting with Minky in the Winter! I also bought black fabric at the local quilt shop for the sashing. I can’t find my receipt so I can’t tell you what it was or how much I bought but I’m guessing at least two yards. The batting is Warm & Natural Cotton Batting Twin Sized.
And when I gave it to Riley, he kind of gave me a half hug and said thanks!
Wow! I’m a lucky grandma!
And here is how I made it!
The “Denim Quilt for Riley” measures 64″ x 85″. Three 20″ blocks across x four 20″ blocks down separated with 1″ black sashing.
I’ve used 1/4″ seams and for each 20″ block you will need:
Denim Pieces
3 6 ½” x 5 ½” (A, D, F)
1 6 ½” x 6 ½” (G)
1 6 ½” x 11 ½” (K)
1 6 ½” x 4 ½” (I)
1 6 ½” x 14 ½” (C)
1 13 ½” x 2 ½” (N)
Black Sashing
1 1 ½” x 5 ½” (E)
2 1 ½” x 6 ½” (B, H)
1 1 ½” x 20 ½” (O)
2 1 ½” x 13 ½” (L, M)
1 1 ½” x 11 ½” (J)
Now it’s time to sew the pieces together. I’ve made some handy dandy diagrams for assistance.
Sew pieces A, B, and C together.
Sew pieces D,E, and F together.
Sew L to the bottom of D,E,F
Sew G,H, and I together
Sew J to side of G,H,I
Sew K to J
Sew M to the bottom
Sew N to the bottom of that piece
Now sew all of those pieces to the D,E,F pieces and bring everything together by sewing O on both sides.
One block completed!
Only 11 more to go!
I then laid all the completed blocks on the floor and decided how I wanted them arranged.
The block is rotated in a regular sequence to create the design. Note the the C piece which is aqua and you can follow the progression.
Now bring it all together with the black sashing between the blocks.
You’ll need
16 20 ½” x 1 ½” pieces
5 64 ½” x 1 ½” pieces
Add the shorter pieces between each block in a row and on both side ends. Next put the longer pieces on the top, between each row, and on the bottom.
Baste, Quilt, Bind. Done!
Oh look! I have a new sewing machine! I’m livin’ the dream!
If you have any questions, email or leave a comment!
Kathy
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Thank you for posting this pattern! I am currently in the process of making quilt tops out of 28 pairs of jeans. I’ve made 4 different styles of quilt top and was looking for another style as after making the 4 tops, I still have 8 pairs of jeans and multiple scraps available!
Hi Connie! I am such a denim hoarder! And I love denim quilts. I’m currently working on a scrappy version. When you get your quilt top finished I would love to see it!
Hi! I’m presently studying carefully this pattern. My husband passed last October 2021 and I was thinking making a memorial quilt with his old jeans. Already I have cut some jeans and realize that I don’t have enough even to make this quilt. This is no problem because I can find old jeans at a Frenchy used clothing store nearby. For the black sashing, what sort of material should I get? Just cotton material? Sometimes I take on projects wondering if it’s too huge to undertake. …thanks for your attention, Rose Anne Comeau from Nova Scotia, Canada
Hi Rose Anne!
I just used a black quilting cotton for the sashing. This was one of the first quilts I made and I remember that it seemed to take forever to cut all those denim blocks. Riley is almost 21 now so that quilt is 7 years old! Last time I saw it, he was still using it and it was still all stitched together! I really loved the minky for the backing.
I think you can make this quilt. It’s not difficult. This pattern would make a lovely scrap quilt, too.
Good luck. Let me know how it turns out!
This is a very nice Quilt. Thank’s for the pattern.
My English is not good, but I hope, you can understand me.
Thank you so much very letting me know about the quilt and the pattern. I think I want to make it again with a different fabric. And I did understand your English! Thanks again for reading and commenting!
Thank you for this pattern. It went together fast and I love the quilt I made for my great nephew
So glad you love the quilt! My grandson is still using his! Thanks for letting me know.
I finished this quilt top and put the Black sashing around the whole outside like the pattern calls for but not sure how you finished it with that sashing on? I am thinking I will just do the pillowcase finishing and tie it. Can you tell me how you finished yours with that black sashing already sewn on please. I used all Jean material even the Black sashing is black jeans. It is beautiful. Just struggling with finishing it.
I don’t think I put black sashing around the outside of the quilt. I just put it between the blocks. I used that black fabric for the binding. I did a “quilt sandwich” (quilt top, batting, and backing) the backing was a gray minky fabric. Then I quilted it. Next I put 2 1/2” binding around the edges. You could do the pillowcase finish and then tie it. That would certainly work great! Glad you liked the pattern!
Well I followed the directions and then laid it out and it hit me that to put on a binding would throw it off. I am not going to tear it all off so I am just going to finish with the pillowcase method. Thank you. If I was a better quilter I would have thought if that before sewing it all on. Lol. I will get there someday.
Hi Lea, I am sure that your quilt is wonderful. I would love to have some photos of it and post them here. I try to always post that I am not a professional. I have no one to test my patterns. And I make lots of mistakes. I share them for free and hope everyone enjoys them. Please send me some pics when you get finished and any suggestions you might have to make the quilt pattern better!
This is a beautiful quilt. Riley will grow to appreciate this as he gets beyond the awkward teen years.
I would have loved to receive this as a teenage boy. I still wear a ski cap that my grandmother knitted for me when I was a high schooler (mid- to late 1970s!).
Thank you so much! Riley is 23 now! And the quilt is still being used!
I made this denim quilt for my nephew’s high school graduation to take to college with some embroidery with his collegiate mottos and logos. It went together so quick and my nephew loved it. Heavier than I anticipated which made it difficult to quilt on a domestic but good for the weather where he is going to college. Thank you for the pattern.
I am so glad your nephew loved the quilt. The one I made my grandson was also heavy but so worth it! I have a bunch of denim and should probably make one for me! Thanks for letting me know!
Hello, such a timeless gift to make. Your quilt is so inspiring after all these years. I just purchased more jeans at a flea market in Dublin Va. I will be making your quilt as soon as I return to New Mexico. It just beautiful. My question is, Was it hard to manage the milky as the backing?
The Riley Denim Quilt was one of the first I made with a minky backing. I was expecting lots of trouble since minky is very slippery but it was easy peasy and I have made several more over the years with minky. I just finished one.
Two tricks for success. First is to spray baste it. I use Odin 505 Temporary Spray adhesive but there are other brands on the market. I also pin with safety pins around the edges in case the spray wears off.
Second trick is to use a walking foot or a dual feed foot.
Thanks for reading my blog. I hope your quilt turns out great!