Layer cake quilt patterns
A layer cake is 42 squares of fabric, each 10" × 10", usually one of every print in a fabric line. 42 squares hold the same fabric as about 2¾ yards, but because they are already cut, each square can only give pieces up to 10".
16 free patterns below come out of layer cakes. For each bed size the table gives how many squares the quilt takes, worked out from every piece in the cut list.
By Editorial Staff
Layer cake patterns and how many each size takes
| Pattern | Crib | Throw | Twin | Full | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Barn Raising Log Cabin | 58 squares2 layer cakes | 91 squares3 layer cakes | 113 squares3 layer cakes | 137 squares4 layer cakes | 193 squares5 layer cakes | 225 squares6 layer cakes |
 Nine Patch | 10 squares1 layer cake | 16 squares1 layer cake | 25 squares1 layer cake | 31 squares1 layer cake | 38 squares1 layer cake | 46 squares2 layer cakes |
 Disappearing Nine Patch | 27 squares1 layer cake | 45 squares2 layer cakes | 68 squares2 layer cakes | 95 squares3 layer cakes | 108 squares3 layer cakes | 144 squares4 layer cakes |
 Rail Fence | 38 squares1 layer cake | 60 squares2 layer cakes | 93 squares3 layer cakes | 117 squares3 layer cakes | 143 squares4 layer cakes | 174 squares5 layer cakes |
 Pinwheel | 18 squares1 layer cake | 28 squares1 layer cake | 40 squares1 layer cake | 55 squares2 layer cakes | 65 squares2 layer cakes | 85 squares3 layer cakes |
 Hourglass | 18 squares1 layer cake | 28 squares1 layer cake | 40 squares1 layer cake | 55 squares2 layer cakes | 65 squares2 layer cakes | 85 squares3 layer cakes |
 Flying Geese | 35 squares1 layer cake | 56 squares2 layer cakes | 88 squares3 layer cakes | 110 squares3 layer cakes | 143 squares4 layer cakes | 169 squares5 layer cakes |
 Dutchman's Puzzle | 20 squares1 layer cake | 30 squares1 layer cake | 48 squares2 layer cakes | 72 squares2 layer cakes | 80 squares2 layer cakes | 100 squares3 layer cakes |
 Bow Tie | 23 squares1 layer cake | 35 squares1 layer cake | 50 squares2 layer cakes | 69 squares2 layer cakes | 82 squares2 layer cakes | 107 squares3 layer cakes |
 Spool | 4 squares1 layer cake | 7 squares1 layer cake | 10 squares1 layer cake | 13 squares1 layer cake | 15 squares1 layer cake | 19 squares1 layer cake |
 House | 9 squares1 layer cake | 15 squares1 layer cake | 18 squares1 layer cake | 23 squares1 layer cake | 32 squares1 layer cake | 37 squares1 layer cake |
 Heart Baby | 15 squares1 layer cake | 23 squares1 layer cake | 36 squares1 layer cake | 54 squares2 layer cakes | 60 squares2 layer cakes | 75 squares2 layer cakes |
 Scrappy Star | 27 squares1 layer cake | 42 squares1 layer cake | 60 squares2 layer cakes | 83 squares2 layer cakes | 98 squares3 layer cakes | 128 squares4 layer cakes |
 Scrappy Sixteen Patch | 18 squares1 layer cake | 28 squares1 layer cake | 40 squares1 layer cake | 55 squares2 layer cakes | 65 squares2 layer cakes | 85 squares3 layer cakes |
 Charm Square | 24 squares1 layer cake | 42 squares1 layer cake | 63 squares2 layer cakes | 85 squares3 layer cakes | 99 squares3 layer cakes | 121 squares3 layer cakes |
 Big Half-Square Triangle | 12 squares1 layer cake | 21 squares1 layer cake | 32 squares1 layer cake | 40 squares1 layer cake | 50 squares2 layer cakes | 61 squares2 layer cakes |
Counts are for the scrappy fabrics of each pattern. Background, sashing, borders and binding come from yardage and are listed on each pattern page.
What one layer cake square cuts into
| Pieces | From one 10" square |
|---|---|
| 2½" squares | 16 |
| 4½" squares | 4 |
| 5" squares | 4 |
| 2½" × 4½" rectangles | 8 |
| 2½" × 6½" rectangles | 5 |
| 3⅞" squares, for 3" half-square triangles | 4 |
Sewing with layer cakes
- A 10" square cuts into four 5" squares, sixteen 2½" squares, or one 9⅞" square for a pair of 9" half-square triangles. The counts below allow for that: each piece comes out of a square with straight cuts, and leftover corners are not reused.
- Pair each print square with a background square cut from yardage to make big half-square triangles quickly; the background yardage is in each pattern's fabric table.
- Precut squares often have pinked edges. Measure the ¼" seam from the outer points.
Other precuts: jelly roll quilt patterns, charm pack quilt patterns, fat quarter quilt patterns. Sizes of every precut are on the precut sizes page.
Plan a quilt from the layer cakes you own
Quiltspiration draws the quilt in your own fabric and gives the cut list for any size.