What size is a layer cake?

[wendy w.]

Anyone know.? What do they lend themselves to making? I saw a cute skirt made of jelly rolls and layer cakes in three tiers on one of the links on my post on free easy quilt patterns links. Thanks, Jan

[Annette R.]

Layer cakes are usually ten inch squares. I never remember how many squares in the layer cake but I think it is around 20. I like to use layer cakes for quick coordinated throws or lap quilts but also if I am doing an applique project that needs a lot of colors. Ann - the traveling quilter in Wisconsin for two days and then back to Minnesota.

[Hannelore N.]

I used a layer cake for a quilt. Here is the result. I had four blocks left over that made a matching cushion. The quilt is going back and forth between the home and hospital with the mother of one of my special needs students. Mum has cancer and says that the quilt cheers up her, her family, the nurses, and the doctors.

The quilt is held up by my 6''1' son, so you get an idea of size.

[Nancy R.]

Love the colors! The borders really make it shine. And I feel like I'm starting to get to know those feet....

Nancy

[Lois B.]

It's a really fun quilt, Lorchen. It should make anyone feel better!

[Renata L.]

What a great quilt, Lorchen. The colors are so full of sunshine that they would brighten my spirits too!

[Renata L.]

Nice quilt Lorchen. It is doing such a great thing for that mom. It is wonderful. Jan

[Hannelore N.]

Thanks everybody!

Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, and whatever else these collection of precuts across a whole fabric range are called look very attractive, but are really only fun for quilters who like things that are scrappy. I have struggled before with another jelly roll that was a gift, but managed to turn it into a simple large quilt with the addition of two plain fabrics. One of these days I'll tell you all the story.

[Nancy R.]

Can't wait for the story! And the picture...

Nancy

[karen f.]

Lorchen, I love your layer cake quilt. It is so bright and cheerful. I'm sure it has helped lighten the burden of illness for the owner.

[wendy w.]

Love the quilt Lorchen it's so cheerful, so good to hear it's giving such comfort.

[Rita C.]

Lovely quilt Lorchen and how lovely that your student's mom gets comfort from it.

I was looking at info about layer cakes and there is usually 40/42 in a pack and they are 10" squares. That is the equivalent of 4 charm packs so should be enough to do a lap quilt I think? They seem to range in price from 36-39 dollars which is roughly what 4 charm packs would cost or maybe even a little more. I agree with Lorchen about them only being useful if you want to do something scrappy.

[Hannelore N.]

You are right about the lap quilt, Rita, but if you use all of the layer cake, and there are not too many 1/4-inch seams, then the top will actually be a little bigger.

By the way, I'm sorry you are finding it difficult to breathe right now, but I had to put you in my suitcase for FoQ in Birmingham, so that I don't forget you. Giggle.......

[Hannelore N.]

I decided what kind of quilt to make my son. I am making a black ( with little to medium amounts of white in the Fat Q's) quilt getting 2 squares per fat Q and doing 8x8 9 1/2"squares. So there will be 64 squares and it will be about 72" square. It should be easy to sew together pretty easily and then quilt with a walking foot with diagonal crosses in each block. I'll back it with flannel that he picks and should be able to finish it in the next week, or so. I forgot about binding it. I forget what size binding I used for my last flannel backed quilt. I am thinking 2 1/2" strips because the flannel makes it thicker. I think a plain black cloth binding would be ok, although I could piece a binding out of leftover fabric. A black and white stripe would be neat. He doesn't seem too excited but I think since he's my eldest child he really needs to get a quilt, since his younger sister already has one. The reason he hasn't had one yet is because he said he didn't want one. He is going to be 18 soon so no wonder it doesn't seem to matter too much. I finished the last quilt a year or so ago. Then I made him a wall quilt for Christmas, based on one of his drawings, but he didn't like it, so it got put away. So much for trying to surprize him. Wish me luck. Jan

[Rita C.]

Jan, good luck. Maybe your son will like the quilt when he sees it. Don't forget to label it so that when he is older he will learn to appreciate all your effort.

Lorchen, so that's what's wrong with me....roll on FoQ.