How to Cut a Layer Cake into Squares and Strips
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Layer Cakes are 10″ fabric squares typically sold in packs of 42 squares. Layer Cakes are a favorite among quilters because they are an affordable way to get a sampling of every fabric from a fabric line. These coordinated fabric packs help quilters skip choosing fabric and cutting yardage, which helps them spend more time sewing!
My favorite place to shop for Layer Cakes is Fat Quarter Shop.
The beautiful fabrics may draw you in, but when you get back to your sewing room you may wonder what to do with your Layer Cake. How should you cut it to get the most out of it? How many layer cake squares do you need to make a quilt?
Well, I’ve done the quilt math for you! In this post, I’ll share exactly how many squares and strips you can cut from one layer cake.
How Many Squares Are in a Layer Cake?
Instead of having to do the math yourself every time you’re cutting up your fabric, use this table to help you figure out how many squares you can cut from one layer cake square. Here’s a quick brief on how to read the table:
Square Size: Your desired square size. This is the unfinished square size that includes your seam allowances.
Number of Squares in 1 Layer Cake Square: This column shows how many squares you can get from 1 10″ layer cake square.
Number of Squares in 1 Layer Cake: This column shows how many squares you can get from 1 layer cake or 42 10″ layer cake squares.
Square Size | Number of Squares in 1 Layer Cake Square | Number of Squares in 1 Layer Cake |
1/2″ | 400 | 16800 |
1″ | 100 | 4200 |
1 1/2″ | 36 | 1512 |
2″ | 25 | 1050 |
2 1/2″ | 16 | 672 |
3″ | 9 | 378 |
3 1/2″ | 4 | 168 |
4″ | 4 | 168 |
4 1/2″ | 4 | 168 |
5″ | 4 | 168 |
5 1/2″ | 1 | 42 |
Want to save this information for later? Download the free cheat sheets!
How Many Quilt Squares Can I Get From 1 Layer Cake?
Layer Cakes are very versatile and you can cut them up in so many different ways. Use the table above to reference how many squares you can get from one layer cake square and one layer cake package.
I’ll go into more depth with each of the most popular quilting square and strip sizes below.
How Many 10 Inch Squares Are in a Layer Cake?
Layer Cakes are most commonly sold in packs of 42, but sometimes they are sold in packs of 40. These fabric packs can be used for a variety of different quilt patterns. Looking for some inspiration? Check out this list of 30 Free Layer Cake Quilt Patterns!
How Many 5 Inch Squares Are in a Layer Cake?
You can cut 4 5″ squares from one 10″ Layer Cake square. You can cut 168 5” squares from one Layer Cake pack.
Pre-cut 5” squares are called Charm Squares or Charm Packs. They are typically sold in packs of 42 squares.
One Layer Cake is the equivalent of 4 Charm Packs.
Looking for a quilt pattern for 5″ squares? Check out my free quilt pattern called Charming Sawtooth. It uses 1 charm pack and 1 yard of fabric!
How Many 2 1/2 Inch Squares Are in a Layer Cake?
You can cut 16 2.5″ squares from one 10″ Layer Cake square.
You can cut 672 2.5″ squares from one Layer Cake pack.
Pre-cut 2.5” squares are called Mini Charm Squares or Mini Charm Packs. They are typically sold in packs of 42 squares.
One Layer Cake is the equivalent of 16 Mini Charm Packs.
How Many Strips Are in a Layer Cake?
Strips are a staple in quilting and a great way to use up your Layer Cake fabric. From sashing to log cabin blocks, the short strips that Layer Cakes provide can be used in so many ways! Keep in mind that the strips you cut from a Layer Cake will always be 10″ long.
Here’s a quick brief on how to read the table:
Square Size: Your desired square size. This is the unfinished square size that includes your seam allowances.
Number of Squares in 1 Layer Cake Square: This column shows how many squares you can get from 1 10″ layer cake square.
Number of Squares in 1 Layer Cake: This column shows how many squares you can get from 1 layer cake or 42 10″ layer cake squares.
Strip Width | Number of Strips in 1 Layer Cake Square | Number of Strips in 1 Layer Cake |
1/2″ | 20 | 840 |
1″ | 10 | 420 |
1 1/2″ | 6 | 252 |
2″ | 5 | 210 |
2 1/2″ | 4 | 168 |
3″ | 3 | 126 |
3 1/2″ | 2 | 84 |
4″ | 2 | 84 |
4 1/2″ | 2 | 84 |
5″ | 2 | 84 |
5 1/2″ | 1 | 42 |
How Many Quilt Strips Can I Get from 1 Layer Cake?
The number of strips you can get from one Layer Cake depends on the width of the strip you need. I’ll go into detail about the most common strip sizes below.
How Many 1 1/2 Inch Strips Are in a Layer Cake?
You can cut 6 1.5″ strips from one Layer Cake square.
You can cut 252 1.5″ strips from one Layer Cake pack.
1.5″ strips are a common size for sashing between borders and braided quilt designs.
How Many 2 1/2 Inch Strips Are in a Layer Cake?
You can cut 4 2.5” strips from one Layer Cake square.
You can make 168 2.5″ strips from one Layer Cake pack.
2 1/2″ strips are great for sashing and can be used for jelly roll friendly quilt patterns.
How Many Yards in a Layer Cake?
One Layer Cake has roughly 2 7/8 yards of fabric in it, but you’ll need a total of 3 1/8 yards if you want to cut a Layer Cake from yardage.
What Size Quilt Does One Layer Cake Make?
One Layer Cake will make a quilt that is 57″ x 66 1/2″. If you want to learn more about how many 10″ squares you need to make a quilt, I have the perfect blog post on the topic!
What To Do With Layer Cake Fabric?
Now that you know all of the ways you can cut up your layer cake, what should you make with it? Head over to this post of 30 free layer cake patterns to get inspired! I know you’ll find something you love.
I hope this math breakdown and the cutting diagrams are helpful to you! Be sure to download the free cheat sheet so you can save this information for later.
Other Posts You May Like:
How Many 10 Inch Squares Do I Need to Make a Quilt?
Why is My Rotary Cutter Not Cutting?
5 Ways to Stop a Quilt Ruler from Slipping
How Many Squares in a Yard + Cheat Sheet
How Many Strips in a Yard + Cheat Sheet
I tried to order the $17.00 book and the page was not there. How do I order it? Thanks, Kathleen
Hi Kathleen, sorry about that! I’ve been having some tech issues with my site today. You can find the listing here: https://haileystitches.com/product/quilt-math-handbook/
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Autumnal by Coriander Quilts
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Oh strange! It appears to be working on my end. Here’s the link if you want to type it in or copy and paste: https://corianderquilts.com/autumnal-free-quilt-pattern/