Let them eat (layer) cake! While the name may have some people's mouths watering at the thought of a delicious Victoria sponge, 'layer cake' means something entirely different to us quilters. The sewing term is used to describe 10 inch squares of fabric, usually sold in a pack of around 42. These squares are grouped together by some commonality such as a colour scheme, designer or print, meaning they come together remarkably well to create a stunning, cohesive quilt – once you've made the move to layer cake quilts, you'll never worry again about matching clashing colours or collections with each other! To make your life even easier, there are tonnes of quilt patterns out there that are 'layer cake friendly' (meaning they can easily be constructed from 10 inch squares if you so wish) or, better yet, patterns expressly designed to be made with layer cakes specifically. This means that whether you're a total beginner, or an experienced quilter looking for a challenge, there are plenty of patterns out there that'll help you use up your layer cakes and make the most of them to their full potential!
Buy these lovely Layer Cake quilt packs from Etsy
Just in case you're not yet converted, we'd be remiss not to mention all the various ways these tasty stacks of fabric can be pieced. Not only can you keep the squares intact to piece a simple, speedy patchwork quilt, you can also use these handy pre-cut squares to make Half-square Triangles or Corner-square Triangles. You'll save tonnes of time on cutting fabric by keeping these squares full-size – though they're also super easy to snip up into even smaller pre-cuts! For example, you can get the equivalent of two charm packs (PLUS some extra fabric for your binding) from just one layer cake, making it an economical choice. The possibilities really are endless!
Whether you've got a brand new layer cake filled with matching fabrics that are waiting to be pieced into a perfect patchwork creation, or some older layer cakes in your fabric stash that didn't make the cut the first time around and are waiting for their moment to shine, we've rustled up this handy list of our top 10 favourite layer cake friendly quilt patterns out there for you.
Lay on the layer cake quilts!
1. Triangle Parade quilt by Amanda Castor
Take a bite out of this luscious layer cake quilt pattern: Triangle Parade by Amanda Castor is a quick and easy project featuring a host of easy Half-square Triangles in a range of colours and prints! You can use up two new layer cakes (one for the background and one for the coloured triangles) or use up a variety of 10 inch squares from your fabric stash for this striking quilt. To ensure an eye-catching finished product, contrast bright colours with low volume fabrics in neutral shades. Find this project is issue 28 of Love Patchwork & Quilting, available as a digital issue on Zinio, Apple News, Google Play and the LP&Q App.
2. Rainbow Hearts quilt by Myranda Makes
We've fallen head over heels for this romantic Rainbow Hearts quilt by Myranda Makes! This simple quilt features easy Half-square Triangles in a large love heart shape, making it the perfect beginner-friendly project for a quilting newbie. Use Myranda's detailed instructions to piece this patchwork pattern – written with the intention of using up layer cakes – and you'll have yourself a fun, colourful quilt in no time at all. Plus, careful placement of fabrics in different shades will result in an impressive rainbow gradient such as the one pictured!
3. Star Pop quilt by Quilty Love
We all know that every modern home needs a funky quilt or two (or ten) to complete its ensemble of on-trend decor... so why not add a fun pop of colour to your quilt collection with Quilty Love's Star Pop quilt! A sky full of twinkling stars adorns this colourful quilt, perfect for using up layer cake squares – as well as being fat quarter friendly and scrap-happy too! Whatever fabrics you're using, you'll love piecing this quilt, where easy squares and Half-square Triangles transform into stunning Sawtooth Star blocks, punctuated by punchy blocks of colour.
4. Entropy quilt by Squats & Running Stitches
Don't let this complex-looking, kaleidoscopic pattern deceive you – the Entropy quilt by Squats & Running Stitches is much more simple than it seems! This quilt uses easy, traditional quilt blocks but cleverly uses colour combinations to make it appear more complicated. Check out Summer's blog post to read her helpful instructions on how to use your loveliest layer cake squares to piece your very own Entropy quilt.
5. Stay Square quilt by Pieced Just Sew
If it's square to like quilting then we don't wanna hang with the cool kids... if you feel the same, you'll be able to 'Stay Square' with this quilt by Pieced Just Sew! Use up a layer cake of your choosing to complete this straightforward quilt featuring easy squares and rectangles. You can show off a variety of different colours and prints with a pattern-happy, colour-filled design such as the one pictured, or opt for a modern monochrome look and use squares of the same colour scheme!
6. Confetti Star quilt by Material Girlfriends
We're star-struck by this stunning Confetti Star quilt by Material Girlfriends! Use 10in squares in a neutral background shade and a stunning variety of colours to piece this layer cake quilt, allowing twelve different colours of your choosing to dance across the night's sky. Plus, you'll be able to master a new quilt block, the traditional Hunter Star, with the easy-to-follow, detailed instructions in this handy pattern, along with its many helpful diagrams and graphics (cute dog not included!).
7. Paper Cuts quilt by Then Came June
This one's for all the quilters scouring this article for a quilt that'll help them get rid of all the layer cakes lying around in their stash... It's time to show your stash some love by piecing a happy scrappy version of the Paper Cuts quilt by Then Came June! In her blog, Meghan gives readers the low down on how they can piece her peppy, beginner-friendly quilt using scraps from their stash – including long lost layer cakes that need to find a quilty home! We love the way this flexible pattern allows you to showcase a range of different prints to create a colour-filled quilt, while also helping you lighten the load of your ever-growing stash.
8. All That Glitters quilt by Lou Orth
Mix metallic fabrics with punchy piecing in Lou Orth's All That Glitters quilt! Make the most of your pre-cut layer cake squares with this Bear Paw pattern – Lou used squares from two different layer cakes in order to achieve the stunning variety of prints you see before you. A sleek white background fabric plus white binding along the edges really allows these Bear Paw blocks to pack a punch of colour and pizzazz. You can find this pattern in issue 87 of Love Patchwork & Quilting, available as a digital issue on Zinio, Apple News, Google Play or the LP&Q App.
9. Garden Snails quilt by Pen and Paper Patterns
Take it slow and steady with this sweet Garden Snails quilt by Pen and Paper Patterns... The handy step-by-step pattern features tips, tricks and diagrams as well as detailed instructions on how to piece the snail blocks using layer cake squares. For these snails' stylish shells, use a punchy solid fabric for a fun pop of colour or a playful print filled with personality to really allow each snail to express their fashion-forwards mindset!
10. Fly Away quilt by Suzy Quilts
We think this quilt is pretty fly! For all you layer cake lovers, don't fret: you can use a layer cake for the easy Half-square Triangles that feature on the sleek yet simple Fly Away quilt by Suzy Quilts. Opt to use a limited range of colours and a muted colour palette for a minimalist look and a quilt that screams 'sophistication', or, why not go crazy with your layer cake scraps or your choice of 10 inch squares in a variety of pretty prints to really make this quilt your own?
More like the layer cake quilts
We have plenty more quilting ideas for you here on Gathered! Check out our quilting for beginners guide to try our best sewing machines for quilting round up. See our best quilt kits for beginners, too!
