I can't beleive it!!!!...

I made a "tragic" design flaw, and one of the quilts was ruined. So now I'll have to purchase denim to replace it. The supply of recycled denim was already running short, now this sets me back to 3 quilts. But I will press on, it's only a quilt and I'm just being overly dramatic:-)

I'll be more careful in the future. Promise:-)

GOAL!!! +2 / 4 Quilts Finished Before Jan.2009:-)

I'm tying the next two quilts, almost as i type this. They both will be ready to mail on Monday; and they are a nice size:-) Photos soon to follow.

Next, I'm going to work on some new bags for Jan.2009. My book is full of ideas, that I really hope can be brought to life.

The two quilts that were mailed on the 11th, left Denver,CO yesterday; so Saudah should have them by Friday, as expected.

I have two more tops pieces, and ready to be "quilted".
There is also a growing pile of denim shreds that I'm trying to think of a use for. They too can be recycled-into paper for one thing. But I would like to come up w/something more artistic to do with them. I may just send them back and let the kids can come up w/something; fresh minds and all:-)

Two down eight to go:-)

My goal was to make them 60x72, but as you can see it was only a guide as to size. These will be good usable sizes, but a little bigger would be better.

My work schedule is tapering off, so I'll have more time to work on the remaining quilts.

Things I've learned from this:-)

First of all...not to take on a project this large w/o being in full control of it.
Second...in business, sometimes you just have to eat it; unless you're a bank or the auto industry:-)
Third...once denim takes on the shape of a leg, even a little leg, it doesn't want to relax-at all.:-)

Observations: free of charge.

Well I survived my first "black" Friday @ my job. :-)It seems to have lasted for a week. I am so exhausted, but life goes on.
So back to work on the quilts. My goal is to have at least 2 in the mail before January. But we'll see.

I have 2 tops done, but they are not quilts yet. They still need to be layered with batting and a backing. Then I will tie them with colored thread called "floss" and put appliques over the worn parts in the denim. But all of that, is as yet, far in the future. My goal is still 10 quilts,so...we'll see...

Two boxes of jeans, became 1 box of usable denim. That doesn't include the pockets and the whole shorts that are left over.

Finally, i got some work done on the quilts. It's easier to rip such large quantities of flannel to a more manageable size. And it keeps it on the straight of grain. Right now I have 5 backs ready for quilt fronts.

This is how it all begins...raw materials. The kids did a good job of collecting a wide variety of denim; mostly jeans,used ones are best, but the new ones are still useful.

They came in every style and size, which makes for very interesting piecing.
I try to preserve as many seams and pockets as possible, so those are what really makes denim "jeans". and gives a nice effect to the quilts.

Recycled Denim Quilts

Just a note of thanks to Forrest Heights Elementary School of Columbia,S.C. and my sister Saudah for the opportunity to a part of this project.

I will use this to show the "process" and share the experience.