Cuckoo’s Nest - Layer Cake Block

Do you love finding new ideas for making Layer Cake quilts? Here is a super fun block to make that can be put together multiple ways to create fun quilts - the Cuckoo’s Nest!

We’re going to start by picking out three coordinating prints from our layer cake. Depending on how you want to arrange your finished quilt, you may want to divide your layer cake into similar colors, or you may want it more scrappy. To make a full quilt using all 42 blocks I chose to divide fabrics before I got too far into sewing to make sure I could distribute the colors evenly and not end up with a bunch of one color at the end.

Once you’ve chosen 3 squares, carefully layer them end to end and place on a rotating cutting mat. Cut 2 1/2” off one side.

Rotate the mat 90 degrees and cut 2 1/2” off that side. Continue on all 4 sides until you are left with 4 sets of 2 1/2” strips and one set of 5” squares.

Now we’re going to arrange our blocks. Starting with the 5” square you’ll take one 5” x 2 1/2” strip and the coordinating fabric strip that is 7 1/2” x 2 1/2” for the first border. Then take the other fabric 7 1/2” x 2 1/2” and the coordinating fabric strip that is 10” x 2 1/2” and arrange for the second border.

Sew together. You’ll note that you’ll have to trim the borders because as you sew you’ll lose a 1/2” in the seam allowance. No problem! Once you get it all together you should end with a 9” unfinished block. You can use all 42 pieces of the layer cake and make a 6 x 7 block quilt.

There are also several fun ways to assemble these blocks. Here are some of our favorites, but play around and see what you like!