I’ve been busy sewing with our upcoming fabric collection, so today I’m sharing a post from the vault. One of the quilts I recently finished up in our new fabrics is a Layer Cake quilt. It had been a while since I’d sewn with Layer Cakes and this recent project reminded me how versatile this pre-cut is. I hope you’ll enjoy this post with 10 Tips for Sewing with Layer Cakes. Be sure to read to the end to download a free simple Layer Cake Pattern PDF.
10 Tips for Sewing with Layer Cakes: What is a Layer Cake?
Layer Cakes are pre-cut squares that measure 10″ x 10″. Moda Layer Cakes come in groups of 42 squares (some prints may be repeated), and other fabric companies that produce similar products often have a different number of squares included.
There are many wonderful patterns written specifically for Layer Cakes, and I’ll be sharing a few of them below along with some additional tips for storing and caring for Layer Cake squares.
1. Cut layer cakes into smaller pre-cuts.
2. Make half-square triangles.
3. Make quarter-square triangles.
4. Make a simple patchwork quilt.
5. Make a Moda Love quilt.
Remember my mini Moda Love quilt (below)? Well the free pattern also includes directions for using a Layer Cake to make a quilt that measures 72″ x 72″ finished (get the free pattern here). I’m looking forward to making the Moda Love quilt using a layer cake of our next fabric collection!
6. Make a fabulous log cabin quilt.
My friend Corey recently published a tutorial with free printable PDF for making Log Cabin blocks using Layer Cakes. Go here to download her PDF (click on the log cabin diagram in the middle of the post).
7. Make square in-a-square blocks.
If you haven’t already read my post on making square in a square blocks with layer cake squares, you’ll be amazed at how quickly these fun blocks come together! Go here for the tutorial.
8. Make one of my Moda Bakeshop quilts.
The quilt above is one of my early Moda Bakeshop projects that was recently re-published. Go here to get the free tutorial for this fast and fun Layer Cake quilt, my “Easy as Pie Layer Cake Quilt.”
9. More Layer Cake Pattern Ideas
You can also go here to find some of my more recent Layer Cake pattern ideas. And you can find Layer Cake ideas from the Moda Resources page here.
10. Should I pre-wash Layer Cakes?
I frequently get asked if I pre-wash pre-cut fabrics. I don’t. But it’s a great idea to iron them before use to take out any wrinkles and to pre-shrink them just a bit with the heat/steam from the iron. A lot of people also starch and iron their pre-cuts before use. This is another great idea; while it takes a little bit of extra time, it ensures that your fabric won’t shrink.
I really couldn’t stop at just 10 ideas…so here are a couple more thoughts on these fabulous pre-cuts!
Storing Layer Cakes…
Layer cakes are easy to store stacked up on a shelf. When I’ve finished a project I decide whether to cut up any layer cake squares into charms or strips. I also have a box of some of my favorite extra layer cake squares in case I need to use them for another project.
Simple Layer Cake Quilt PDF
Click here to download a PDF for a Simple Layer Cake quilt.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post with 10 Tips for sewing with Layer Cakes! Please let me know in the comments section if you have any other tips to share.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Brita says
As always, I just love your easy style, and the terrific information you share. I have a couple of layer cakes just waiting to become quilts. You've given me some great ideas that show off the fabrics, yet make really interesting quilts.
Robby H. says
Great timing. I was looking yesterday at a couple of layer cakes that I couldn't resist on sale. Then, the debate about what to do with them. You've got me covered! Plus great stuff for the future.
Hildy says
Great tips! I've ordered some LCs and now I can actually use them instead of just starring at them (although they are a pretty sight).
Little Quiltsong says
Great idea on preshrinking layer cakes. I've tried washing them 'once' and never again :)! Thank you for this tip!
Helen L says
great post Sherri! I love layer cakes too: so may things you can do with them!! Are you getting any rain? We've had church cancelled Sunday and Scouts/young Women also tonight due to so much rain and flash flood warnings. I hope you all are getting some of this water! Hugs, H
Jan A. says
I love layer cakes and have a few waiting to be used. Thanks for these great options.
Michele T says
Wow!!! This has been most helpful!!! I have 3 layer cakes that I had no clue what to make with them and now after your fabulous post, I have some great ideas and I love that the patterns you have shared are free!!
mascanlon says
So many ideas in this post! Thanks so much,
Susan Smith says
Great ideas, Sherrie!! The link to Corey’s log cabin block isn’t working. I was excited to use that tutorial but couldn’t find it with a search on her site so I’m hoping to be able to use your link.
Cheryl Serafini says
I found it here
http://corianderquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Layer-Cake-Log-Cabin-1.pdf
sherri McConnell says
Just fixed…thanks!
Pat says
Several links in today’s post are bad.
Patricia D says
I was searching for the layer cake log cabin from Corey Yoder. The link in this post does not work. I googled it, and found this: http://corianderquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Layer-Cake-Log-Cabin-1.pdf
sherri McConnell says
Just fixed…thanks!
Cheryl Serafini says
Great info Sherri however I did find the link to Corey’s pdf didn’t work for me. I did find it here though
http://corianderquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Layer-Cake-Log-Cabin-1.pdf
Laura says
The link for the log cabin block using layer cakes doesn’t work. Could this be repaired? Thanks so much for all the great inspiration!!
sherri McConnell says
Just fixed…thanks!
Ruby says
I was able to find Corey Yoder’s layer cake log cabin block here:
http://corianderquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Layer-Cake-Log-Cabin-1.pdf
miriam says
hi sherri. several of the iinks no longer exist. I wanted to try the log cabin by corey.
sherri McConnell says
Just fixed…thanks!
Linda E Mahoney says
Wow! So many good ideas! Thank you! I have a huge pile of layer cakes!
JanetB says
Check your links. At least 3 of them don’t work.
sherri McConnell says
Just fixed…thanks!
CAROL GOETZ says
Hi Sherri, I just loved your post! So many fabulous ideas for layer cakes! I am excited to try your square in a square blocks! I also would like to try your friend Corey’s log cabin pattern for layer cakes but your link (in red type) didn’t work. Thanks so much for all of these wonderful tips!
sherri McConnell says
Just fixed…thanks!
Linda Garcia says
The link to the Moda PDF for cutting layer cakes does not work.
sherri McConnell says
Looks like they removed that 🙁
Diana Brown says
Sorry but there seems to be an issue with the links on here today.
sherri McConnell says
Just fixed…thanks!