Faintly Artistic

Using a layer cake, you would need to cut off 1 1/8 inch strips to come up with your 8 7/8" squares...those strips will be wasted unless you are willing to make something with strips that skinny. I thought people used precuts to save cutting time...no time saved and possibly wasted fabric. Doesn't seem wise since layer cakes are more expensive to begin with. That's one reason I don't buy any precuts except FQ's.
The average layer cake bundle is $40 and contains about 40 squares. One yard of fabric yields 12 10" squares (plus 2 strips of fabric). So, a layer cake is equal to about 3 1/3 yards of fabric. That's just over $12/yard for layer cakes.

ekuw

Darling quilt-thanks for the link :-)

jmoore

I agree that there is not too much variation of print used for either boy or girl, I would just buy quarter yard cuts and cut your own pieces. It looks like a fun pattern, don't forget to post your photos.

MargeD

I would probably make my own layer cakes, that way you can get the colors and prints that would make a cute boy's quilt. Keep us posted as to what you decide.

junegerbracht

Either buy a layer cake that's predominantly blue or stick with yardage. Great pattern to use up stash.

klswift

I have purchased layer cakes when I have found a super deal. I only use them on patterns that use the whole square (or patterns using charm size). If a pattern is using 8" or 9" cuts, I do not like the waste. Sometimes the layer cake is easier because of the variety of prints available. But, figure 40 pieces at 10" square, so 4 across equals 10 cuts of 10" equaling 100". Close to 3 yards. Does that layer cake cost less than you would buy 3 yards for? Really rough way to figure it, but that is how i determine if it is a good sale. Since you are not going to use the whole layer cake and just save half for a possible future quilt, I would think a better deal would be to purchase yardage.

Fabricgator

Thanks, everyone. I bought yardage. I got 1/3 yard of 11 or 12 fabrics. Now what? How do I figure out the best way to cut the fabric without wasting? I've got the graph paper out and am trying to figure out how many pieces of each piece I need for 2 quilts. Suggestions?

Gay

If using layer-cakes, some pieces are cut into 5" squares, so you could not get away with 1/4 yd (9")

tessagin

Cute Pattern!! too many bad experiences with pre-cuts not being true to size. I mean off by 1/2"-1" in dimensions. I buy yardage.