LandScape Craft and Cookery Special

WARM SUNSHINE
MEANS it is time to
enjoy time in the
garden. Lying on a rug
on the grass, reading a book,
watching the butterflies flit around
and listening to the bees, is the ideal
way to spend a warm afternoon. This
rug is made from old jeans. Using
faded jeans of different colours and
textures while including the pockets
adds interest to the finished rug. The
pockets can be used for holding
napkins and cutlery. The rug can be
made smaller or larger by using
different numbers of squares.
MATERIALS
• 10-12 pairs of old jeans to make
a rug measuring 6ft by 6ft (1.8m
x 1.8m)
• A recycled double sheet
•All-purpose thread in two colours,
one matching the denim and one
matching the sheet
• Thread for topstitching (optional)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Fabric marker
• Pins
• Iron
• Sewing machine with denim needle
Cutting the squares
A total of 144 squares are cut from the jeans, each measuring 6½in square (16.5cm square)
using a ruler, fabric marker and scissors.
Assembling the front of the rug
The denim squares are sown together using matching thread and a ¼in (7mm) seam allowance.
There are 12 rows of 12 squares. One row is sown at a time, mixing up the colours and textures
to create an interesting pattern.
Each square is placed with its right side facing the right side of the next square, then sewn
together. Once all rows are finished, the seams at the joins are steam pressed open and the
squares pressed flat. The rows are now sewn together using a ¼in (7mm) seam, taking care to
match the first set of seams ensuring they line up. Once the patchwork is complete, it is pressed.
Attaching the sheet
The sheet is ironed to ease out any creases and to ensure it is flat. The front of the rug is placed
right side up, on a large surface, such as the floor or a large table.
The sheet is placed over it, right side down so the two rights sides are together. The sheet will
overlap the rug at this point. They are pinned together and the sheet cut down to match. The two
pieces are sewn all the way round the edge, ½in (14mm) in, leaving a gap of 30in (75cm) open
on one side, and turning at each of the corners. The corners are trimmed diagonally. The rug is
turned the right way out through the gap.
The corners are poked out to give a neat finish, and the rug is pressed again, folding the seam
allowance on both the front and back inside at the gap.
Finishing
With the right side facing up, the rug is top stitched all the way round the edge, ¼in (7mm) in.
This closes the gap at the same time. Different coloured thread can be used to add detail if
desired. Top stitch thread is recommended, as it is thicker and gives a better finish. The bobbin
thread should be the same colour as the sheet throughout the finishing stage so it doesn’t show.
The next step is to secure the front to the back. The two are pinned together, then stitched ‘in
the ditch’ of each seam on each row. Denim coloured thread is used in the sewing machine
needle so it doesn’t show. If the rug is too large to fit under the sewing machine at this stage,
it can be hand stitched instead.
Finally, all loose threads are stitched in and trimmed, and the rug is pressed one last time.
PATCHWORK SPREAD
A rug made of squares cut from old pairs of denims is the
perfect spot to spend a leisurely afternoon in the garden
▯ Project: Julie Brown ▯ Photography: Richard Faulks
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