15+ Free Layer Cake Quilt Patterns: Easy Designs for 10″ Squares
Layer cake quilt patterns are a great way to jump into a new project without spending hours at the cutting table. These bundles usually come with 40 or 42 ten-inch squares that are already perfectly coordinated, which takes the guesswork out of choosing fabrics. I love unboxing a fresh layer cake and seeing how all those prints play together—it is a huge head start when you want to sew a high-quality gift or a quick addition to your own quilt ladder.
If you have a stack of 10″ squares in your stash waiting for a design, or if you have been eyeing a new designer bundle, these free quilt patterns are exactly what you need to get moving. There is a real sense of accomplishment in turning a simple stack of fabric into a finished quilt in a single weekend. Grab your favorite bundle and let’s look through these designs—I am excited to see which one you choose to sew first!
Coffee and Cream Layer Cake Quilt
This free sewing pattern is for a table topper or wall hanging. You will sew Shoo Fly blocks and snowball some corners to make this beautiful mini quilt. Check out the free layer cake quilt pattern on AllPeopleQuilt.com.
- Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine.
Forty Two Ten by Jen
Jen uses her serger to quilt, and she tells you why she likes it best on her blog, overtheedge.blog. See her easy quilt pattern for 10 inch squares to make your own 55″ x 63″ quilt, and whether you serge your seams or straight stitch them, I hope you enjoy the process!
Modern Layer Cake Pattern
Enjoy this beautiful design in your home, or as a gift this season. If you’re looking for a bold throw quilt, this one finishes at 51″ x 63″. Check out the free pattern at itsonlyfabricandthread.com.
Star Cakes Quilt – A Weekend Project
The Star Cake block is so pretty – both classic and modern at the same time! For this quilt you will use 1 print layer cake (I used Paradiso by Kate Spain for Moda), 1 solid layer cake, and 2 more yards of solid fabric for the sashing and borders. It’s a big quilt top too – a generous twin at 72” x 90”. Check out the fast layer cake quilt tutorial.
Ribbons Quilt Layer Cake Quilt
I love the extra detail on the border of this quilt, and you will love using up every piece of your favorite layer cake fabric bundle. Zero-waste patterns are the best! Check out the free pattern and video tutorial by Donna Jordan. It finishes at 50″ x 63″.
Dresden Plate Table Runner
Sherri McConnell has a great tutorial for sewing the Dresden Plate Block. You can easily turn it into a quilt, or make her beautiful table runner with her free video tutorial.
Giant Bear Paw – Fast Piecing!
Use your layer cake to make a Giant Bear Paw quilt. It’s a beautiful pattern for a child’s quilt, or a lap quilt as it finishes at 58″ square. Here is the free pattern from polkadotchair.com.
Pro-Tip: Dealing with those Zig-Zag Edges
Have you ever struggled with the pinked (zigzag) edges on a layer cake? I used to find them a little tricky for my 1/4″ seams until I realized I just needed to pick one spot and stick to it. I prefer aligning my presser foot with the outer points of the zig-zags. It keeps my block sizes consistent so I don’t end up with a wavy quilt top. It is a small detail, but it makes a world of difference when you go to join your rows and everything actually lines up.
Peppermint Candy Layer Cake Quilt
Christmas is a wrap with this sweet free Peppermint Candy layer cake quilt pattern. The Pinwheels give the candy their stripes, and your fabric will do the rest!
Layer Cake Links Quilt
This is a fun quilt pattern from Fat Quarter Shop. You will enjoy piecing this 52.5″ x 59″ quilt with your layer cake bundle. Take a look at this free shortcut quilt pattern for your next sewing project.
Peaches and Cream Layer Cake Quilt
Here is a quilt that finishes at 62″ square and is perfectly named! What colors do you have in mind for yours? Get the free pattern at simplesimonandco.com.
Pro-Tip: The Spray Starch Secret
10″ squares can be a little stretchy, especially if the pattern calls for cutting them into triangles. To keep everything nice and crisp, I give my squares a quick press with some spray starch before I ever touch them with my rotary cutter. It gives the fabric just enough body to stay exactly where I want it. This is my favorite way to make sure my points stay sharp and my quilt blocks do not get wonky during assembly.
Candy Swirls Layer Cake Quilt
Candy looks darling on a quilt; especially at Christmas. Pinwheels abound, but these candy blocks are just a bit different; you will use a charm pack and a layer cake for this beautiful quilt. Finishing at 60″ x 72″, enjoy the free pattern at my.modafabrics.com.
Layer Cake Coin Quilt
This sewing pattern costs $1.00, but I was drawn to the blues! Isn’t it so pretty? Grab the practically free pattern and sew one for your home. It’s a nice lap size of 45″ x 51″.
Current Layer Cake Quilt
The video tutorial with this free pattern by Moonkin Stitchery is well done. I love the fabric! Sew one for yourself or a friend, and since you’re starting with a layer cake you’ll be done in no time! If you use one bundle your quilt will measure 48″ x 56″, but if you want a bigger quilt, two bundles will get you 64″ x 80″.
Liberty Merchant Bright’s Quilt
You do have to sign up for an account to get this free pattern, but isn’t it lovely? Liberty Fabrics are something you should experience. They are so soft and wonderful to work with. Enjoy the process of sewing this large 70″ x 84″ quilt with large, 12″ blocks.
Layer Cake Quilt Pattern
Hailey Stitches brings us this pretty quilt pattern that is easy to sew. The layer cake pattern is for a finished quilt of 67″ x 86″ (which is a generous throw size).
Bonus Pattern for Layer Cake Leftovers
I love sewing projects that use pre-cut fabrics, but I often have a handful of leftovers pieces that I’m not sure what to do with. That’s why I designed this easy basket that you can sew with your layer cake leftovers! It’s a fast and easy to sew fabric basket, and it’s reversible too.
More from SewCanShe:
35+ Beautifully FREE Fat Quarter Quilt Patterns: Transform Your Stash Today!
From Scrap Bin to Masterpiece: 20+ Best Free Scrappy Quilt Patterns
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