Layer Cake Size Guide: Pieces, Yardage and How Many for a Quilt
A layer cake is 42 pieces of 10 x 10 inches, about 4,200 square inches or 2.78 yard of fabric. One pack on its own makes about a 50 x 65 inch throw quilt top. Sewn as simple patchwork it covers about 3,791 square inches, so a 50 x 65 inch throw top needs about 1 of them and a queen top about 3.
Precuts are bundles of fabric cut to a standard size, usually one or two pieces of every print in a collection. A layer cake bundles 42 pieces of 10 x 10 inches. Other names: 10 in stackers, 10 in squares.
| Piece size | 10 x 10 in |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 42 |
| Total fabric | 4,200 sq in |
| Yardage equivalent | about 2.78 yd |
| Finished patchwork coverage | about 3,791 sq in per pack |
| Notes | Typically 42 squares. |
Each 10 inch piece finishes at 9 1/2 inches whole, and cutting it into 5 inch squares gives pieces that finish at 4 1/2 inches, four of which make a 9 inch finished block.
How many layer cakes do you need for each quilt size?
Counts assume the whole top is made from this precut, with each square finishing 1/2 inch smaller than cut. Add background fabric, sashing or borders and you need fewer. The table below covers every standard quilt size: a 50 x 65 inch throw top takes about 1 of them and a queen about 3.
| Quilt | Top size (in) | Top area (sq in) | Layer Cakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 40 x 40 | 1,600 | 1 |
| Crib | 36 x 52 | 1,872 | 1 |
| Lap | 45 x 60 | 2,700 | 1 |
| Throw | 50 x 65 | 3,250 | 1 |
| Twin | 68 x 90 | 6,120 | 2 |
| Twin XL | 68 x 95 | 6,460 | 2 |
| Full / Double | 83 x 90 | 7,470 | 2 |
| Queen | 90 x 95 | 8,550 | 3 |
| King | 106 x 95 | 10,070 | 3 |
| California King | 102 x 99 | 10,098 | 3 |
What can you cut from a layer cake?
These are the most pieces of each common size you can cut from one pack, rotating the cut where that fits more. The first row is the smallest cut: one pack yields 672 pieces at 2 1/2 in squares (mini charm size).
| Cut size | Pieces |
|---|---|
| 2 1/2 in squares (mini charm size) | 672 |
| 5 in squares (charm size) | 168 |
| 10 in squares (layer cake size) | 42 |
| 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 in rectangles | 84 |
Measure before you cut
Many precuts have pinked (zigzag) edges. Decide whether you measure from the peaks or the valleys of the zigzag and keep it consistent, or your blocks will not match.
Precut-friendly quilting tools
Moda Bella Solids White Layer Cake
Under $50A layer cake of Bella Solids white, a clean background for pairing with printed precuts.
Check price
Olfa 17 x 17 Rotating Cutting Mat RM-17S
Under $250Trim squares and HSTs on all sides by turning the mat instead of the fabric.
Check price
Bloc Loc Half-Square Triangle Ruler Set #2
Under $100Precise trimming for half square triangles made from charm squares and layer cakes.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Precuts supply the quilt top only. A 50 x 65 inch throw still needs 3 1/4 yards of 42 inch backing and 7 strips of binding, neither of which comes out of the pack, so add both to the shopping list before you start sewing.
How does a layer cake compare with other precuts?
The table below compares every common precut by fabric content: this one holds 4,200 square inches, about 2.78 yards, against 4,200 for a layer cake and 1,050 for a charm pack.
| Precut | Piece size (in) | Pieces | Yards equivalent | Finished coverage (sq in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Charm Pack | 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 | 42 | 0.17 | 168 |
| Charm Pack | 5 x 5 | 42 | 0.69 | 851 |
| Layer Cake | 10 x 10 | 42 | 2.78 | 3,791 |
| Jelly Roll | 2 1/2 x 42 | 40 | 2.78 | 3,200 |
| Honey Bun | 1 1/2 x 42 | 40 | 1.67 | 1,600 |
| Dessert Roll | 5 x 42 | 20 | 2.78 | 3,600 |
| Turnover | 6 x 6 | 80 | 0.95 | 1,000 |
| Fat Quarter | 18 x 21 | 1 | 0.25 | 243 |
| Fat Eighth | 9 x 21 | 1 | 0.125 | 81 |
| Half Yard Cut | 18 x 44 | 1 | 0.5 | 486 |
Frequently asked questions
How many pieces are in a layer cake?
A typical layer cake has 42 pieces, each 10 x 10 inches. Typically 42 squares. Always check the label, because counts and exact sizes vary by manufacturer and collection, and some pieces are pinked at the edges, which slightly reduces the usable size.
How many layer cakes do I need for a throw quilt?
A 50 x 65 inch throw top is 3,250 square inches. With each square finishing 1/2 inch smaller than cut, one pack covers about 3,791 square inches, so plan about 1. That is for the patchwork only: sashing, borders, backing and binding need separate yardage.
How many layer cakes do I need for a queen quilt?
A 90 x 95 inch queen top is 8,550 square inches, so you would need about 3 at roughly 3,791 square inches each. Many quilters stretch fewer precuts by adding a solid background fabric, wide sashing or a border, which also makes the prints stand out.
How much yardage is a layer cake?
A layer cake holds about 4,200 square inches of fabric, which is roughly 2.78 yard of 42 inch cotton by area. Precuts give far more print variety than one yard of a single fabric, which is why they cost more per square inch. The trade-off is less flexibility in what you can cut.
Do I need to prewash a layer cake?
Most quilters do not. Precut edges fray and distort in the wash, pinked edges lose their shape, and a 10 inch piece has no spare size to give away, since cotton can lose 1 to 2 inches per yard. If you are worried about a saturated red or navy bleeding, test a single piece in hot water with a color catcher rather than washing the whole pack.
Is a layer cake cheaper than buying yardage?
Per square inch, no. It holds about 4,200 square inches, roughly 2.78 yards, and costs more than the same yardage of a single print because you are paying for the variety and for the cutting. What you get back is time at the cutting mat, coordinated prints from one collection, and no leftover yards of a fabric you only wanted a little of.
What can I make with one layer cake?
One pack covers about 3,791 square inches, which is enough for a 40 x 40 inch baby quilt top in simple patchwork, or a generous table runner, a set of pillows or a lap quilt center with borders.
Sources
- Moda Fabrics (United Notions) precut definitions: Layer Cake, Charm Pack, Jelly Roll and Mini Charm sizes and counts
- Manufacturer precut labels from Robert Kaufman, Riley Blake and Art Gallery Fabrics (piece counts vary by collection)
- Standard quilt top sizes from the site quilt size chart, used for every per-quilt count
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
