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Layer cake quilt patterns you’ll love – 10 free!

April 19, 2023

Layer cake quilt patterns you’ll love – 10 free!

First off, let’s be clear about what layer cake quilt patterns actually are. It’s a term I kept seeing around and about on Pinterest and I kind of assumed it was something to do with sandwiching fabrics together, not unlike a Victoria Sponge. Not so. Turns out that layer cake quilt patterns are something very specific and relate to the size and specification of the fabric used. Layer cake is the term used to describe 10-inch squares of fabric that are sold in packs of 42. Who knew? You probably did, knowing what nifty crafters so many of you are. 
But I’m catching up. And, in the process of learning more about layer cake quilts and the different ways of making them, I’ve discovered so many lovely ideas and resources that I I’d love to share with you.

Tilda Flower Vase quilt pattern is from the brand new spring and summer collection for 2023 and is free to download as an instant printable PDF pattern. I've shared all the info you need to get this free pattern as well as lots of other beautiful favourites. There's something for quilters of all levels from total beginner upwards, and plenty of precut fabric suggestions to make life easier, including layer cakes, jellyroll, fat quarter and charm packs. Hope you find something you will love to make and cherish for decades to come! happy quilting!

I am a sucker for a beautiful (and easy!) patchwork idea, so I thought I’d delve and see what I could find. (BTW the stunning quilt pictured above is ‘Embroidery Flower Vase’ from the brand new Solids collection by Tilda and the pattern is free – scroll down to the Tilda section below to download it). I do realise it’s not a layer cake pattern, but it does use lots of squares of fabric, and it is totally stunning, so I couldn’t resist including it here.

I’ve pulled together all the ideas that sparked something in me to share with you here. There are free patterns, (including free layer cake quilt patterns), baby quilt ideas, lap quilt ideas, fun quilt projects, beginner-friendly quilt ideas and lots more besides. Layer cake precuts are ideal for quilters of all levels – from beginners upwards –  as they simplify the first part of any quilt project. Choosing, cutting out and deciding the positioning of fabrics you are going to use from your stash can be a creative joy, but it’s also very time-consuming. And beyond many of us (me certainly).

If you’re looking for ideas to make a beautiful quilt, hopefully you find inspiration here whatever size quilt you’re planning to make. I’m going to share my favourite free quilt patterns, fabric suggestions (including fat quarter shop resources, colour scheme ideas, half square triangles, layer cake squares, fabric collection ideas as well as different quilt patterns to suit all levels and tastes. If it’s your first time making a quilt, layer cake quilt patterns are a great choice!

A word of caution before you start, however. Layer cake fabric pieces, or any precut fabrics, should not be washed before sewing. If you wash pre-cuts like charm packs, layer cakes, jelly rolls, half-square triangles, fabric panels, etc, they are likely to unravel, shrink, and no longer be in the standard size.  Which defeats the whole purpose of the exercise!

The key stages to making a quilt

Whatever pattern you choose, there are 7 key steps to making a patchwork quilt:

  1. Choose your pattern (browse below to see a few of my favourites, including some free beauties!)
  2. Choose your fabric. You can use up scraps of fabric you already have, but obviously it will add time to the project in terms of cutting out the pieces and deciding the best ways to make different shades and patterns of fabric work together. That’s where opting for pre-cut fabric (such as a layer cake) makes life much easier. 
  3.  Cut the fabric following the step-by-step instructions in your pattern (all a lot easier if you start off with a pre-cut pack)
  4. Piece together the top of the quilt. This is where you sew the different cut pieces together as detailed by your pattern.
  5. Assemble the 3 layers of your quilt. Once the top pieces are sewn together, it’s time to add the batting (the soft inner layer) as well as the quilt back. 
  6. Quilt the layers together. If you don’t have a long arm quilting machine, the best way to do this on a standard sewing machine is with a walking foot or free motion quilting foot.
  7. Finish and trim your quilt. Trim the edges after you’ve finished quilting so they are neat and then sew on your chosen binding to trim and finish the quilt.

Free layer cake quilt patterns

Wildflowers by Moda

moda wildflowers layer cake quilt pattern free to download and uses one layer cake and cake mix recipe 2. Such a beautiful design with really helpful step by step instructions and images to help you on your way. Quilting made easy - and so much fun!

This is a really striking design that uses 1 layer cake of Wildflowers by Moda1 cake mix Recipe 2 (foundation paper that fits perfectly onto a Moda Layer Cake or 10″ Stacker to make perfect half square triangles), 4 yards of background fabric and 5/8 yard of binding. The navy background is too dark for my taste – would be even more lovely on a soft, cornflower blue, don’t you think?

Murmuration by Chez Moi for Moda

moda Murmuration layer cake quilt pattern free to download and uses one layer cake and cake mix recipe 2. It's by Chez Moi featuring Lulu layer cake fabrics. Such a beautiful design with really helpful step by step instructions and images to help you on your way. Quilting made easy - and so much fun!

This is such a beautiful design and uses 1 layer cake (the Lulu layer cake). I love the way fabric colour is used to create the sense of movement that you see in a murmuration.

Blooming Flower Boxes by Maureen McCormick for Moda

blooming bunch blooming flower boxes free layer cake quilt patterns by Maureen McCormick for Moda - get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

This design by Maureen McCormick for Moda  is another beauty. It uses one layer cake for sashing (ie the strips of fabric between the quilt blocks) and one honey comb pack of 1 inch hexies 

Sew & Sew by Chloe’s Attic for Moda

sew and sew free layer cake quilt pattern by chloe's closet for moda. get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

I love the pretty, light touch of this layer cake pattern by Chloe’s Attic for Moda. The pale background and the design really gives the pattern room to breathe.

This pattern uses one layer cake, 4 yards of background fabric, 5/8 yard of side border fabric, 5/8 yard of top and bottom border fabric, 5/8 yard of binding and 61/2 yards of backing fabric.

Wrens & Friends quilt by Gina Martin for Moda

wren and friends free layer cake quilt pattern by gina martin for moda. get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

This pretty quilt pattern requires 2 layer cakes and one charm pack. I love the kitschy flower design which has an almost mid-century Orla Kiely vibe don’t you think? Can imagine it adding a handmade cosy touch to festival-going, camping trips, camper van decor or a teenage bedroom.

In from the Cold pattern by Kate Spain for Moda

in from the cold free layer cake quilt pattern by kate spain for moda. Love the cups of tea or hot chocolate in the design. Get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

This cute pattern uses one layer cake and is based around a theme of steaming mugs of tea (or whatever your favourite hot drink happens to be, I guess!)

Glamping layer cake quilt pattern by Mary Jane for Moda

glamping free layer cake quilt pattern by mary jane for moda. Love the fresh, and fun modern geometric design. Get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

This young and fun pattern needs one layer cake as well as strips of fabrics to make the ‘X’s and the binding.

Padstow by Cabbages & Roses

cabbages and roses free patchwork quilt pattern for Moda - love this Padstow collection design which has a vintage coastal feel and uses pretty precut quilting fabric in pretty faded florals

I know this one doesn’t specifically use a layer cake, but I had to include it here because it’s so beautiful. And it’s by Cabbages & Roses.

Moon Cake pattern by Ruby Star Society

Moon Cake free layer cake quilt pattern by ruby star society for moda. Love the fresh, and fun modern geometric design and the 'eight at a time' method to create beautiful contrasts and order to the design. Get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

This modern quilt design by Alexia Marcelle Abegg uses half square triangles made using the ‘8 at a time’ method (having first separated out your layer cake pieces). Worth knowing that Love Crafts sells a range of layer cakes by Ruby Star Society. There’s a pleasing order to this that I really like. Love how the different colours/fabric patterns contrast and work with one another.

Riley Blake Flea Market Flowers pattern

flea market free layer cake quilt pattern by riley blake with pop art flowers and a kitch retro vibe all made using precut fabric layer cake. Get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

Fun, kitsch and retro in design, this Flea Market pattern by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet is another great find, don’t you think?

Liberty Merchant Brights quilt pattern

liberty free layer cake quilt pattern merchant brights is a stunning design that uses fabrics from the Emporium Collection from Liberty Fabrics. Get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

The design is lovely, but what really makes this quilt special is the Liberty fabrics used to make it from the Emporium Collection. I am very partial to a Liberty lawn.

Liberty Retro Indigo Quilt

liberty indigo layer cake quilt pattern using the carnaby collection of liberty lawn fabrics. I love the fresh, contemporary geometry of this design made using pretty, traditional liberty floral and plain fabrics. Get your free pattern now and get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

Another lovely design by Liberty that mixes a contemporary geometric freshness with a traditional quilt feel. It uses the Carnaby Collection of fabric designs and I’ve found a fat quarter bundle of this fabric on Etsy.

Liberty festive collection Christmas quilt

If it’s something Christmassy you’re looking for, how about this festive beauty, also by Liberty? It’s suitable for beginners upwards, so it would make a great first patchwork project. 

Beautiful layer cake quilt patterns to buy

Up Hill Down Dale layer cake quilt pattern by Janet Clare

up hill down dale layer cake quilt pattern janet clare

This is a beauty by Janet Clare and the pattern is available to buy on Etsy. It’s made using two 10 inch layer cakes (each comprising 42 10 inch squares as we have already established, but no harm repeating) and the finished quilt measures 59 ½ x 90 inches. You can easily adapt the pattern to use different fabrics and layer cakes.

Janet sells a really gorgeous Botanicals 10 inch layer cake and To The Sea 10 inch layer cake.

Janet also sells a range of lovely charm packs: love her 2.5 inch To The Sea mini charm pack Find gorgeous jelly roll packs, fat eighth bundle, honeybun packs and fat quarter bundles too.

Layer cake lattice layer cake quilt patterns by Primrose cottage

lattice layer cake quilt pattern available to buy on Etsy. Read my post to get all the info and links you need to make a layer cake quilt, including 10 free patterns, step by step instructions and inspiring ideas for quilters of all levels from beginners upwards, all using precut fabric. Happy quilting!

this lovely pattern is available to buy on Etsy as a PDF instant download and there are three different size options: small throw, large throw or Twin.

Jellyroll Dash patchwork quilt pattern

jellyroll dash patchwork quilt pattern by primrose cottage and available to buy as an instant PDF download on Etsy. Read my blog post to get all the links you need to find this pattern as well as 10 free ones! I hope to inspire you to get quilting! It's so much fun and easier if you use layer cakes, honey comb packs and beautiful precut fabric!

I had to share this Jellyroll Dash patchwork pattern by Primrose Cottage too because it’s so pretty. Feels like something I hankered after as a girl, when I was seriously into all things Holly Hobbie and Little House on The Prairie.

Danish Delights quilt pattern

layer cake quilt pattern danish delights available to buy as PDF instant download and made using just one layer cake this one by kate spain for moda and is super easy to make.

This lovely pattern is super easy to make and uses only one Layer Cake for the Throw or Queen size (which has an alternate layout) The baby quilt option uses only 24 – 10″ Squares. 

Confetti star quilt pattern

confetti star quilt pattern by material girlfriends on etsy

I just love this Confetti start quilt pattern by Lisa Norton of Material Girlfriens, available to buy as an instant download printable PDF pattern on Etsy.

The size is 48″ x 64″, and includes an easy formula to make it bigger.
No Y Seams and layer cake friendly! Seven lay-out options included as well as 7 pages of clear, colourful instructions and diagrams. The clear and detailed cutting and sewing diagrams make the block assembly a breeze.

Fabric Requirements
24 Colour 10″ squares
24 White 10″ squares
The cover quilt used 12 different colours; two 10″ blocks of each colour.
If not using a pre-cut layer cake, select 12 fat quarters of different colours. You can get two 10″ blocks from a fat quarter. Fabric will be leftover from each fat quarter. Or: select six 1/3 yard cuts of different colors. Each 1/3 yard cut will yield four 10″ squares each.
A seventh 1/3 yard cut is recommended for design choices.

Window Garden layer cake pattern by Taunja Kelvington

window garden layer cake quilt pattern

Another really pretty design available to buy as an instant download PDF pattern on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/480542599/digital-pattern-window-garden-layer-cake. The image shows the quilt made using Olive’s Flower Market by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics

Tilda quilts – free patterns

Tilda Flower Vase quilt pattern is from the brand new spring and summer collection for 2023 and is free to download as an instant printable PDF pattern. I've shared all the info you need to get this free pattern as well as lots of other beautiful favourites. There's something for quilters of all levels from total beginner upwards, and plenty of precut fabric suggestions to make life easier, including layer cakes, jellyroll, fat quarter and charm packs. Hope you find something you will love to make and cherish for decades to come! happy quilting!

Tilda is always a great resource for beautiful – and free – patterns for modern quilters. Find lots of tips and ideas here: Patchwork quilt patterns – 10 free Tilda downloads.

Tilda Flower Vase quilt pattern is from the brand new spring and summer collection for 2023 and is free to download as an instant printable PDF pattern. I've shared all the info you need to get this free pattern as well as lots of other beautiful favourites. There's something for quilters of all levels from total beginner upwards, and plenty of precut fabric suggestions to make life easier, including layer cakes, jellyroll, fat quarter and charm packs. Hope you find something you will love to make and cherish for decades to come! happy quilting!

There’s a new collection of mouthwateringly beautiful designs for Spring/Summer 2023 including this stunning Flower Vase quilt pattern. It’s free to download here: https://www.tildasworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Flower-Vase-Embroidery-Quilt2.pdf

If you’re looking for Beginner patterns, Tilda says this one is an easy quilt pattern (many of the other Tilda quilt patterns are only really suitable for advanced quilters), so it should be suited to new quilters. As I said at the outset of this post, I do realise that this beauty by Tilda isn’t a layer cake pattern as such, but it does use lots of equally sized squares. So I’m bending the rules and including it here because it is so, so lovely. There are lots more Tilda quilt pattern ideas here: Patchwork quilt patterns – 10 free Tilda downloads.

A really beautiful modern quilt design that uses needlepoint as its inspiration. Love it!

Layer cake quilt patterns for children

How lovely is this Effie’s Woods  layer cake pack by Deb Strain for Moda Fabrics? 

Lap quilt/baby quilt pattern

As well as being really pretty, this modern layer cake square quilt pattern is also quick and easy to make. The square quilt pattern is tailor made to suit new/beginner quilters. Using precut fabrics as well as lots of easy to follow details instructions make this pattern a very popular choice on Etsy.

Favourite layer cake fabric packs

tilda hometown fabrics are available to buy as layer cake fabric packs are available to buy on Etsy and Love Crafts so you can make your own beautiful Tilda Hometown quilt

Hometown layer cake fabric stack by Tilda (pictured above) https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1361068047/tilda-hometown-design-stack-40pcbundle.

Tilda Hometown quilt pattern is free to download as an instant printable PDF pattern. I've shared all the info you need to get this free pattern as well as lots of other beautiful favourites. There's something for quilters of all levels from total beginner upwards, and plenty of precut fabric suggestions to make life easier, including layer cakes, jellyroll, fat quarter and charm packs. Hope you find something you will love to make and cherish for decades to come! happy quilting!

You can use these beautiful fabrics to make the Tilda Hometown Henhouse quilt (free to download here and pictured above).

Tilda chic escape daisyfield fabrics

Pictured above: Tilda Chic Escape fabrics.

Etsy is a great place to source Tilda fabrics, including this Chic Escape layer cake fabric from Strawberry Quiltcake.

Also check out:

Flower Power layer cake by Maureen McCormish for Moda from Etsy 

Zinnia layer cake by April Rosenthal for Moda from Etsy 

Cottage Linen Closet by Brenda Riddle for Moda from Etsy 

Fresh Fig Favourites by Fig Tree & Co for Moda from Etsy 

Painted Meadow by Robin Pickens for Moda from Etsy  This is a charm pack rather than a layer cake but I couldn’t leave out this almost painterly collection of beautiful fabrics.

Liberty A Woodland Christmas layer cake pack – perfect for making a festive project. 

Charm squares

How beautiful is this collection of Liberty Lawn mini charm squares? 

This Mason Jar quilt is a cute and individual patchwork pattern that uses charm squares.

Pie in the Sky charm pack by Tilda (pictured below)

tilda pie in the sky quilting fabric packs including charm squares, jelly rolls layer cakes and precuts and fat quarters. The perfect way to start your next quilting project - and you can get the most beautiful free patterns to inspire you if you read my blog post too! all the links and info you need

Fat Quarter bundles

Windy Days in reds and pinks by Tilda from Love Crafts 

Useful equipment

Rotary cutters

Fiskars Trigger Rotary Cutter from Amazon

Fiskars Titanium Rotary cutter from Amazon

Quilter’s ruler

You will also definitely need a decent quilter ruler

Fiskas quilter’s ruler from Create & Craft

Set of 4 Quilters Rulers from Amazon

Fiskar’s Ruler and Rotary cutter combination pack

Mats

Quilter’s non-slip mat from Create & Craft

Cutting mat from Amazon

INFORMATION

Tilda

Moda Fabrics & patterns

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A pin to save to Pinterest

the most beautiful free patchwork quilt patterns including this stunning Embroidery Flower Vase pattern by Tilda, layer cake patterns, jelly rolls, fat quarter pack, pre cut fabric and charm pack ideas as well as patterns for you to make using your own fabrics. Read my post to get all the free patterns and get lots more inspiration and quilting tips whether you're a beginner or advanced quilter. It's so much fun and so creative! Why not start planning your quilt making project today? Just think the quilts we make now will be loved for decades to come. Hope you find inspiration in my post and happy quilting!

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