30 Totally Free Layer Cake Quilt Patterns for Beginners
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Looking for the perfect free quilt pattern to use with your layer cake? You’ve come to the right place. I’ve curated a list of my favorite layer cake quilt patterns. Not only are they free, but they’re super easy quilt designs and great for beginners.
Not a beginner? Don’t fret! These quilts are great for quick gifts or a weekend project. So dig into your fabric stash, grab those layer cakes that are collecting dust, and get to sewing!
Haven’t decided on a layer cake to use with these free layer cake patterns yet? Get some fabric inspiration from Fat Quarter Shop! I love to shop their precuts of the week to score precut fabric at a major discount.
BONUS PATTERN: Layer Cake Layout by Hailey Stitches
Layer Cake Layout is a completely free layer cake quilt pattern that I designed! It uses one layer cake and two yards of background fabric. The quilt finishes at 67″ x 86″ which makes it the perfect size to snuggle up under on the couch.
Looking for a little extra help making the quilt? Check out the video tutorial!
Grab the free layer cake quilt pattern!
Want to simplify quilt backing?
Download my free quilt backing cheat sheet! With this cheat sheet, you’ll be able to estimate the amount of backing yardage you’ll need for a quilt of any size. Simplify quilt backing with this free download!
1. Clustered Gems by Moonkin Stitchery
Moonkin Stitchery designed this quick and easy layer cake pattern called Clustered Gems. It’s offered in 5 different sizes, too! Baby, Throw, Twin, Queen, and King size options are included in the free pattern.
This quilt is a great beginner quilt pattern because Moonkin Stitchery shows you exactly how to make it with a YouTube Tutorial.
Head over to Moonkin Stitchery’s website to grab the free pattern!
2. Garden Games by Moonkin Stitchery
Moonkin Stitchery knows how to make beautiful layer cake quilt patterns! Here’s another free quilt pattern that includes size options for baby, throw, twin, queen, and king size quilts!
Moonkin Stitchery is extremely generous with their free patterns and they like to include video tutorials with each one. Check out the tutorial below to help you piece this one together!
You can get this free layer cake pattern on Moonkin Stitchery’s website!
3. Layer Cake Lattice by Fat Quarter Shop
Layer Cake Lattice is a free quilt pattern offered by Fat Quarter Shop and I love how this pattern really allows the fabric to be the star of the show. This quilt pattern is offered in crib, lap, twin, and queen sizes.
If you’d like a little visual help to make this quilt, check out Fat Quarter Shop’s video tutorial below!
You can get this easy layer cake quilt pattern for free on Fat Quarter Shop’s website!
4. Love LayerCake Quilt by Moda
This bold layer cake quilt was designed by Moda and has a final size of 72″ x 72″. Just in case you’re looking for a smaller version, Moda created the pattern to work with Charm Pack and Mini Charm Packs, too!
Jordan Fabrics created a video tutorial for completing this free quilt pattern. You can check out the video below!
Get this free layer cake quilt pattern from Moda Fabrics!
5. Spring Picnic Quilt by It’s Only Fabric and Thread
This beautiful lattice quilt was designed by Katherine from It’s Only Fabric and Thread and WOW is it a showstopper. You can make this free quilt pattern by using one layer cake and one charm pack. Katherine includes a step by step tutorial for how to make each quilt block, so this is a great quilt pattern if you’re a beginner!
You can find this free layer cake quilt pattern on Katherine’s website!
6. Windmill Quilt by Material Girl Quilts
This quilt pattern by Material Girl Quilts uses the 8-at-a-time half-square triangle method to create this whimsical windmill design. There’s even a video tutorial to go along with the free pattern, so be sure to check the video out if you need to brush up on your 8-at-a-time half-square triangle skills!
Get this easy free layer cake quilt pattern by visiting Material Girl Quilts website and clicking the download link at the end of their blog post!
7. Peaches & Cream by Simple Simon & Company
Make this free modern layer cake quilt by using 2 layer cakes and 2 yards of background fabric. The pattern is accompanied by a written tutorial to help walk you through each step. Modern quilts like this one are my go-to for last-minute baby shower gifts. Simple Simon & Company created a free tutorial to go along with this pattern on their blog.
The PDF pattern is paid but you can get all of the steps in the free written tutorial at Simple Simon & Company’s website!
8. Autumnal by Coriander Quilts
I love a seasonal quilt and this layer cake friendly quilt by Coriander Quits is gorgeous. The quilt finishes at 66″ x 82″ which makes it the perfect size for a living room throw. Be sure to read the accompanying blog post! Corey explains how to make this quilt work for layer cakes instead of yardage.
While there is no tutorial for this quilt, you can get some assistance through Coriander Quilts Facebook group if you need help.
Get this free layer cake quilt pattern here!
9. Star Chain by Material Girl Quilts
Material Girl Quilts does it again with this fun play on an irish chain quilt. This free layer cake quilt creates a scrappy look and is a great way to practice lining up seams and making star blocks.
The best part? There’s a video tutorial that goes along with this quilt! Check it out below.
Grab this free quilt pattern at Material Girl Quilts website!
10. Layer Cake Loop by Fat Quarter Shop
Fat Quarter Shop offers a ton of free quilt patterns and their Shortcut Quilt Series on YouTube is a perfect place for new quilters to get started.
Layer Cake Loop is a fast and easy pattern for 10″ squares and Kimberly will walk you through how to make it in the video tutorial below!
Get this free easy layer cake quilt pattern at Fat Quarter Shop’s website.
11. Layer Cake Stacker by Aunt Em’s Quilts
This beginner layer cake quilt pattern uses one layer cake and measures 49″ x 57″ when finished. I love all of the different ways this quilt can look depending on the fabric you choose.
Not only does the designer provide written instructions for how to make the quilt, but they created a YouTube tutorial, too! Check it out to help you make this sweet little quilt!
Get the free block pattern at Aunt Em’s Quilts website!
12. Ground Cover by Me and My Sister Designs
This bold design was created by Me and My Sister Designs and it is a super easy quilt pattern for 10″ squares. Missouri Star Quilt Co made a video tutorial that teaches you exactly how to put together this free layer cake quilt pattern.
Get this free pattern (and a ton more!) at Me and My Sister Designs website.
13. Chevron Style Layer Cake Quilt by Patchwork Posse
Learn how to make this fun chevron quilt with this step by step tutorial from Patchwork Posse. This pattern is super customizable and chevron is a great design for beginner quilters.
Check out the free tutorial on Patchwork Posse’s website.
14. Layer Cake Links by Fat Quarter Shop
Another quilt from Fat Quarter Shop’s Shortcut Quilt Series, Layer Cake Links, is a great beginner quilt. Follow along with Kimberly in the video tutorial below and turn your layer cake into something special!
Get the free pattern on Fat Quarter Shop’s website!
15. Honey Quilt by Jessica Dayon
This 72″ square quilt pattern uses one layer cake and some yardage to create this fun “X” design. This pattern is a great option if you want to really show off your layer cake fabric!
Get this free layer cake pattern at Jessica Dayon’s website.
16. Ring Bearer by Laundry Basket Quilts
This 56″ x 72″ quilt uses squares and Half Square Triangles to create this cute and scrappy design. You can use 2 layer cakes to finish this quilt so it’s a great fabric stash buster if you have several layer cakes sitting around!
Check out the free quilt pattern on Fat Quarter Shop’s website!
17. Stargazer by Laundry Basket Quilts
This beautiful quilt is a generously sized 72″ x 72″. While there’s no step by step tutorial outside of the pattern itself, this is a great pattern to practice playing with light and dark color values and placement!
Get the free quilt pattern in Laundry Basket Quilts shop.
18. Layer Cake Lollies by Fat Quarter Shop
This free quilt pattern by Fat Quarter Shop comes with a video tutorial by Kimberly Jolly herself. Grab a layer cake and make this beginner-friendly quilt that looks more complicated than it really is!
Get the free quilt pattern on Fat Quarter Shop’s website!
19. Star Baby Quilts by Diary of a Quilter
This tutorial is a 2 for 1! Amy Smart provides step-by-step tutorials to help you make these easy baby quilts using 10″ squares. She also provides ideas for how to increase the size of the quilts by adding decorative borders.
Check out this free layer cake baby quilt tutorial on Amy’s blog. The PDF is paid but the written blog post tutorial includes all the steps for free.
20. Shuffle Quilt by Sparrow Studioz
Need a quick quilt? The Shuffle quilt pattern is the perfect option. You’ll need one layer cake and some yardage to make this 72″ x 75″ quilt. The quilt pattern includes step by step instructions with photos so even the most beginner quilter will be able to complete this quilt.
Get the free quilt pattern on the APQS website!
21. Layer Cake Pop by Fat Quarter Shop
Layer Cake Pop is a free layer cake quilt pattern by Fat Quarter Shop. There’s a video tutorial to go along with the pattern, so you can watch Kimberly make the quilt. I love it when beginner patterns have video tutorials, it’s so helpful!
Get Layer Cake Pop for free on Fat Quarter Shop’s website.
22. Easy Layer Cake Quilt by Melanie Ham
This lap size quilt is a quick and easy quilt pattern. Melanie provides a video tutorial to help you put together this quilt. Notice the arrow pattern with the light fabrics? This quilt is a great one to play around with color value to get different looks!
You can get the free tutorial on Melanie’s website!
23. Simple Basket Weave by Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
This free layer cake quilt pattern comes with a step by step photo tutorial which makes it a great option for a first time quilter. The designer provides several color option examples to help you choose your layer cake and see all of the possibilities that this pattern has.
Get the free quilt pattern tutorial on Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom’s blog!
24. Moon Cake by Ruby Star Society
This fun quilt pattern comes together using the 8 at a time half square triangle method. This is a great beginner quilt because you’ll get plenty of practice making one of the most common quilt blocks: the half square triangle. This quilt finishes at 54″ x 54″.
Get the free quilt pattern on Moda’s website.
25. Layer Cake Shuffle by Fat Quarter Shop
Learn how to make quarter square triangles with this easy layer cake quilt pattern. Kimberly from Fat Quarter Shop will show you how to make the entire quilt with the video tutorial below!
Get the free layer cake quilt pattern on Fat Quarter Shop’s website!
26. Big Sky by Moda Fabrics
This visually stunning quilt uses half square triangles to create this fun herringbone pattern. Grab 2 layer cakes and some background fabric and you’ll be ready to make this beginner layer cake quilt pattern!
Get this free quilt pattern on Fat Quarter Shop’s website!
27. Gentle Petals by Ariga Wilson
Get more practice making half-square triangles with this free quilt pattern. This is a great beginner option because not only will you get your half-square triangle practice, but this quilt is a nice introduction to sashing (the fabric between the half-square triangle blocks).
Get this free quilt pattern on Fat Quarter Shop’s website!
28. Layer Cake Tumble by Fat Quarter Shop
Show off your layer cake fabrics with this easy quilt from Fat Quarter Shop. If you have fabric with large print, this is the quilt for you! Check out the video tutorial below to help you put this one together.
Get the free layer cake quilt pattern on Fat Quarter Shop’s website!
29. Fly Free by White Plains Quilts
This quick layer cake quilt pattern is made up of simple squares and Half Square Triangles. This one comes together super fast and is a great way to highlight large print fabric.
Get this free layer cake quilt pattern on White Plains Quilts website!
30. Down the Rabbit Hole by Riley Blake Designs
This free layer cake quilt pattern is a great pattern to hone your sashing skills! Each layer cake fabric is framed with sashing to make the fabrics really pop.
Get the free pattern from Ruby Star Society!
Curious how big of a quilt you can make with just the 10″ squares? You can check out my blog post on the topic! I do all the math for you and tell you exactly how large of a quilt you can make with layer cakes!
I hope you were able to find some inspiration with these completely free layer cake quilt patterns and don’t forget to download the free quilt backing cheat sheet!
I liked the quilts you showed and that you had a lot of different instructors.
Yes, they are all great designers!
Thanks for all the inspiring patterns.
Thank you for these patterns. I have run off several as I am looking for patterns to utilize layer cakes which I have never used before.
Of course! Layer cakes are a lot of fun to use!
Love them. A couple I own and ones I would like to make
Thank you for sharing
No problem! Happy sewing!
So happy I found your website! Patterns are so cute and easy to follow directions. Thank you.
Love, love, love these patterns. Will start on them soon. My next 30 quilts already decided !!
Thanks.
This is a really helpful list and I appreciate all of the hard work you put into creating it! Thank you!
This is a great list! Just an FYI the Quilty Love pattern is now a paid pattern in her shop!
Thanks for letting me know! I’ll update that.
I’m in desperate need of a layer cake, (queen size) disappearing nine patch pattern. Do you have anything?
Sew Be It Quilts has a layer cake disappearing nine patch pattern that may work for you! Here’s a link to the video: https://youtu.be/ajAUUe5xtwk
Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into collating & sharing this list. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Patterns are adorable, but not all are free like it says!
Hello Darla, thanks for letting me know. I’ll go through the list and update any patterns that are no longer free.