🍂 Baby Cake Stand Quilt – Acorn Layout (A Cozy Fall Finish with Gingham & Texture!)
There’s something so comforting about sewing with fall colors — warm ochres, deep rusts, and soft browns that echo the turning leaves outside. This Baby Cake Stand Quilt, made using the Acorn layout option from the Cake Stand Quilt Pattern, captures all that cozy, seasonal charm in a sweet and simple project that’s perfect for autumn stitching.
This baby-sized quilt is a quick and satisfying make, and the Acorn layout option is included in the full Cake Stand Quilt Pattern, which features multiple sizes and endless layout possibilities. Whether you’re quilting for a little one or just looking for a fall-inspired project, this version is a great way to experiment with raw-edge appliqué, texture, and bold prints without needing to commit to a full-sized quilt.
✨ Want to make your own version?
Grab the Cake Stand Quilt Pattern, pull out some favorite fat quarters, and let your creativity take root!
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How this baby Acorn quilt came to be
I didn’t have this cutie on my radar when I was planning my Cake Stand quilt pattern samples – ha! But, as I was working on the autumn patchwork version, I had the idea of sneaking in some gingham prints that had been sitting in my fabric cabinet for ages.
I loved how they paired with the fall-inspired solid colours, but got curious when I thought of creating a calmer, more soothing version.
Fabrics
Here is the original fat quarter bundle that I picked up. Even with some of the cute colours included, they still read on the pastel side of things. Since I was going for a baby-sized quilt, I knew I wouldn’t need all of the FQs that remained after cutting out the acorns for the lap-sized quilt.
Feelings
Autumn is definitely a favourite season, and I’ve been gravitating towards fall-esque colours for a while now. But since the last pairing was super saturated and bold, I wanted to lean more towards the softer side of autumn. These tone-on-tone colours of tan, brown, and cream, with a pop of mustard, kept things warm and inviting, while also leaning towards the neutral side of things.
This is probably more end of fall when the trees are barren, the lawns are covered in leaves, and things are reading very brown – ha! It’s around this time that you know one season is ending and a new one is about to begin 😉
Quilt Technique Featured
The Cake Stand Quilt Pattern includes tips on how to switch the templates from needle turn appliqué to ones you can use for raw edge appliqué. In fact, there’s even a video tutorial to show you how to do just that 😊
It really couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is trim the original templates down to the dashed seam line, and presto, your templates are now raw-edge appliqué ready.
Nifty Tool
You know I’m not a stock all the gizmos and gadgets kind of quilter, but when I find a notion that works, I’m super excited to make space for it in my studio.
Enter these fun pinking shears that create the most adorable, scalloped edge.
I was so taken by them that Ursula, from LDH Scissors, sent me this pair when I commented on their cuteness. My vision for them was mainly in the realm of me-made clothing, so you can imagine my surprise when the first time I busted them out was for a quilting project!
The baby-size quilt, paired with the fun gingham, the soft colourway, just seemed to be the perfect time to up the cuteness factor with some scalloped edge details.
Helps to keep fraying at bay
The added texture wasn’t the only reason that I was eager to give them a go in this project. If you didn’t already know, pinking shears are a great tool to keep your fabric from fraying.
This is why I had handmade clothes in mind, but raw-edge appliqué is a perfect opportunity to bust out your pinking shears.
I was smitten from the first cut!
Quilting Details
Quilting Thread
Since there was quite a bit going on with the gingham and scalloped edges, I didn’t want the quilting to be the focus or be too heavy and complex. In these instances, I tend to gravitate towards straight-line quilting as it’s simple and usually fades to the background when you’re looking at a quilt.
To ensure the quilting wasn’t emphasized, I opted for my go-to piecing thread in 50wt. It blended beautifully with the warm-toned colours featured, and the smaller thread weight meant I got the quilty texture without too much stitch prominence.
I hope you agree that the overall effect is calm and soothing.
Quilt Backing Fabric
The thread colour also blended beautifully with the backing fabric, which I couldn’t believe my luck when I was scouring my fabric cabinet for quilt backing options and found this cute print!
It’s actually remnants from making this Harvest Falls quilt for Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, and I was thrilled to discover I had enough for this baby acorn quilt. How apropos, right?!
Quilt Binding Details
Binding Fabric
It took me a moment to decide on the binding for the Acorn Baby Quilt. Ultimately, I opted for this woven fabric in a coordinated neutral tone. It’s probably a little darker than I would have liked, but I still love that it grounds the project.
Binding Thread
To add extra detail and texture, I decided to feature an 8wt pearl cotton thread in a lovely, understated peachy-taupe colour.
Materials Featured
To create a similar Cake Stand quilt, here’s everything you’ll need:
- Cake Stand Quilt Pattern – baby size
- Acorns: AGF Pure Solids
- Background: Camp Gingham fat quarters
- Backing
- Batting
- Piecing, raw-edge appliqué & quilting thread
- Sewing machine
- Sewing machine needles
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Ruler – long
- Ruler – short
- Pinking shears
- Small scissors
- Pin cushion
- Pins
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat – Use code SHANNONFRASER15 to save 15% on your small, medium, or large wool pressing mat at The Felt Store Canada or The Felt Store USA. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts.
- Tailor’s clapper
- Spray bottle
- Seam ripper
Shop all my favourite quilting notions here.
For more quilty inspiration, check out:
I hope this inspired you to look at raw-edge appliqué in a new way!
I always love seeing your unique takes. Be sure to share your projects on Instagram using the hashtag #CakeStandQuilt and tagging me @shannonfraserdesigns so I don’t miss out on the quilty fun!
The Cake Stand Quilt Pattern is available for instant digital download here.
Happy quilting 😊
xo,
Shannon
PS I’ve added this project to the Favourite Finish link up with Yvonne from Quilting JetGirl.
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The binding details are really lovely. This palette and design are so perfect for this season; congratulations on such a delightful finish! Thanks for linking up with Favorite Finish.
Thank you, Yvonne! It’s not my usual bright colourway, but it was fun to switch it up. And that binding fabric feels glorious!
Adorbs–all the way from the cute gingham stack to the hand stitched binding, and everything in-between!!!
Aw, thank you so much, Nancy! It was fun to step away from my usual bright colours to try something a little more muted and cozy! Thrilled you like how it turned out 🙂