Just One Layer Cake Quilt
Click on the image above for the full tutorial or click HERE.
Quilt Inspiration
One day when I just wanted to sew, I went on a search for a layer cake pattern and stumbled across Jenny Doan’s Double Slice tutorial. Click here for the tutorial. While I was making it, I went a little rogue and came up with this pattern. Although I haven’t gone back and made the Double Slice quilt (I plan to someday), I am loving this variation! It is so much fun to make!
Let’s Make It!
We will use just one layer cake to make this stunning quilt top. Come along to have some quilting fun as we explore this free pattern and free quilting tutorial. You can use whatever fabric layer cake you'd like (even scraps!) to make this beauty. Although this looks like a disappearing nine-patch, it isn't. It is much easier, too!
Block Size: 9” (unfinished—before it is sewn into a quilt and with the seam allowances); 8.5” (finished—after it is sewn into a quilt)
Finished Quilt Size: 51” x 51” (using 40 blocks which equals (40) 10” squares)
Supplies You Will Need
(1) Layer Cake or (36) 10" Squares (18 Light/18 Dark)
Rotary Cutter
Ruler: 9" or larger
Helpful: 6.5" Ruler
General Sewing Supplies: Sewing Machine, Iron, Matching Thread, etc.
I used the fabric line Forest Frolic by Robin Pickens for Moda Fabrics in this video, but you can use whatever layer cake you’d like! If you want to use scraps, I have a great video (if I do say so myself) on how to make your own layer cakes. Click here to see it! I also have a blog on it. Check that out here.
Step 1: Separate Light, Medium, & Dark Fabric
Let’s open up the layer cake and separate them into three piles: light, medium, and dark.
You need 18 each of Light and Dark. To begin, it is easiest to separate them into three piles first: Light, Dark, and Not Sure (I call these Mediums, they could be either light or dark). Once you know how many mediums you’ll need to get up to 18, use a tool; don’ t trust your eye alone. To do this, either take a picture and change it to black and white or look at the fabric with this 3-in-1 Color Tool. It comes with the red film which helps determine the color value. By the way, this red film is called a Ruby Beholder.
Step 2: Let’s Start Slicing
Layering squares four or so at a time, cut 6.5” off of one side. Do this to all of the squares in both light and dark piles; however, make sure to continue to keep the lights and darks in separate piles. This will make sense in the next step.
Step 3: Mix Them Up
Next, take the 6.5” piles of lights and darks and swap them so they are with the opposite pile. After that, take the top fabric from one of the piles (I doesn’t matter which one) and put it on the bottom of the pile. This will ensure that you don’t have quilt blocks with the same fabric combinations, adding to the scrappy look we are going for.
Step 4: Time to Sew
Matching the long edge of the 6.5” pieces and the long edge of the “sliced” side (3.5” strips), sew the pieces together. Make sure two mediums are not sewn together.
Press to the dark side on all combinations.
Step 5: Slice Them Up Again
Using the same technique as before, it is time to cut again! With the small portion at the top, slice a 6.5” strip (just like last time) from the blocks. I do this one at a time to ensure they are straight. I also line up the seam line with a line on my ruler, ensuring it is straight. Don’t worry about the edges of the block; we will square up the entire block at the end.
Step 6: Mix Them Up & Sew
Just like last time, we mix up the pile, match them, and sew! The important part to remember is to match the intersecting seams. If the edges don’t match up, that’s okay! We will be trimming these down in the next step.
Press either way after sewing these. These seams do not intersect with any other seams.
Step 7: Square Them Up
The final step in this block is square them up. To do this, I place my ruler on the block with the three-inch marks intersecting the seams (see photo). Next, trim the edges of the right and top of the block.
Next, turn the block. To do this, remove the ruler and take the top right corner of the block and turn it to the bottom left corner. After that, line up the 9” match on the left and bottom edges. Cut your block down to 9” square.
Step 8: Put Them Together
The layout is completely up to you! I like to put four squares together to make a consistent pattern, but you do not have to! Have some fun with this!
Please let me know if you have any questions! As always, I am happy to help!
Happy Quilting!
Kris