Frayed Denim Lap Quilt

There are few things more comfortable than denim; that's why so many of us wear it so often. But if you've got drawers full of old blue jeans, blue jean skirts, or even denim jackets that you don't wear, you can easily turn them into a comfortable lap quilt that's pretty, too. Or, make it much larger and create a quilt for a bed. No matter which type you want, the frayed denim has a welcoming look that's charming and easy to create.

If you can sew a straight line you can make a frayed denim quilt. Just decide on how large you want the quilt blocks to be and cut a square piece of cardboard as the pattern. Remember to add a half-inch, all the way around, to allow for the seams. Lay this pattern on denim and trace around it, many times, to get the amount of squares you need for the desired quilt.

Stack two quilt blocks so that their wrong sides face each other. Sew straight down the right side, taking the half-inch seam. Open the two pieces of fabric up, lay the next quilt block on the block to the right, and sew down the right side. Continue to do this, laying each quilt block so that it's wrong side is on the wrong side of the previous block, and sewing down the right side. Make this row as long as you need for the width of the quilt.

Make many of the quilt block rows to be the same length. Begin sewing the rows together to create the length for the quilt. Each time you add on a new row, place the wrong side of the row on the wrong side of the previous row, and sew them together.

When you're finished sewing all of the quilt squares together, you can then sew on a backing. Choose a sheet or other fabric piece and cut it to the size of the quilt square arrangement. Lay the sheet on the side of the quilt that shows the seams. Sew around three sides, turn the quilt right-side-out, then sew the opening shut. Now, you should be able to see all of the seams on top of the quilt.

For each set of corners on the quilt, sew a few stitches at that intersection, and this will hold the quilt blocks to the backing. Wash the quilt several times to fray it, or do it by hand. Just pull a thread or two out of each seam, then wash the quilt, and your fraying is done.

The denim quilt has a unique look with raised fraying that's soft and attractive. However, you can only achieve that look if you use ordinary jean material, not stretch denim. Now that your quilt is done, go cuddle in your favorite chair with it - you deserve it.