Herringbone Quilt Tutorial: Jenny Doan's Easy Layer Cake Method
The herringbone pattern is one of those timeless designs that looks incredibly sophisticated — and secretly, it's much easier to make than it appears. With just a pack of 10-inch squares (layer cakes) and some background fabric, you can create a stunning quilt with that classic zigzag pattern that looks like it belongs in a design magazine.
In this tutorial, Jenny Doan breaks down the herringbone quilt into simple half square triangles and shows you how to arrange them for maximum wow factor. With nearly 680,000 views, this is one of her most popular pattern tutorials. Let's dive in!
What Is a Herringbone Quilt?
A herringbone quilt features columns of rectangles (made from half square triangles) that alternate direction, creating that distinctive V-shaped zigzag pattern. It's the same pattern you see in brick walkways, wood floors, and tweed fabrics — but rendered in beautiful quilting cotton.
What makes Jenny's method special is that she uses layer cake squares to create oversized half square triangles, then cuts and rearranges them into the herringbone layout. No complicated math, no tiny pieces — just big, satisfying blocks that go together fast.
What You'll Need
🧵 One packet of 10" squares (layer cake)
You'll need about 42 squares. Choose a coordinated collection for a cohesive look, or go scrappy! Shop layer cakes.
🎨 Background fabric — approximately 3 yards
A solid white, cream, or light neutral works beautifully to make your prints pop. Shop fabric by the yard.
📏 Quilting ruler
You'll need this for cutting half square triangles accurately. Shop rulers.
✂️ Rotary cutter & mat — Shop rotary cutters
📌 Pins or clips — Shop pins & clips
🪡 Sewing machine & thread — Shop thread
🧶 Batting & backing for finishing — Shop batting
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Herringbone Quilt
Step 1: Make Half Square Triangles
Take one 10" print square and one 10" background square. Place them right sides together. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the lighter fabric.
Sew a quarter-inch seam on each side of the drawn line. Cut along the line to yield two half square triangle (HST) units. Press the seams toward the darker fabric.
Each pair of squares gives you two HSTs. Repeat with all your layer cake squares to build your supply.
Step 2: Square Up Your HSTs
Trim each half square triangle to 9½" square (or whatever consistent size your blocks come out to). Line up the diagonal seam with the 45-degree line on your ruler, then trim two sides. Rotate and trim the other two sides.
Consistent sizing is essential for the herringbone pattern to line up properly. Take your time here — it pays off when you start assembling columns.
Jenny demonstrates how easy the herringbone layout is with half square triangles
Step 3: Cut HSTs into Rectangles
Here's where the magic happens. Take each squared-up HST and cut it in half to create two rectangles. Each rectangle has a diagonal line running through it — print on one side, background on the other.
Keep your rectangles organized in stacks. You'll have two stacks — and each one will form a column of the herringbone pattern pointing in a different direction.
Step 4: Arrange the Herringbone Layout
This is the fun part — laying out your quilt! Arrange the rectangles in columns:
Column 1: All rectangles with the diagonal going from upper left to lower right
Column 2: All rectangles with the diagonal going from upper right to lower left
Alternate columns across the width of your quilt
When the alternating columns come together, the diagonals create that gorgeous V-shaped herringbone pattern. Step back and admire — this is going to look incredible.
Step 5: Sew the Columns
Working one column at a time, sew the rectangles together end to end. Press all seams in one direction within each column — alternating the pressing direction between columns helps the seams nest when you join columns together.
Chain piecing speeds this up enormously. Feed pairs of rectangles through your machine one after another, clip them apart, then press.
Step 6: Join the Columns
Pin each column to the next, matching seam intersections carefully. The staggered offset between columns is what creates the herringbone effect — each row shifts up or down by half a rectangle height.
Sew the columns together using a quarter-inch seam. Press seams open for a flat finish, or to one side if you prefer.
Step 7: Finish the Quilt
Once your quilt top is assembled, layer it with batting and backing. Quilt as desired — straight-line quilting following the diagonal lines looks stunning on a herringbone, or try an allover stipple for contrast.
Bind the edges with a coordinating fabric, and you're done! The herringbone pattern is one that gets compliments every single time.
The finished herringbone quilt — those zigzag columns are simply stunning!
Pro Tips for a Perfect Herringbone
📐 Consistent trimming is key: All your HSTs need to be exactly the same size. Even a small variation will throw off the zigzag alignment across the quilt.
🎨 High contrast = high impact: The herringbone pattern shows best with strong contrast between your prints and background. A white or cream background with vibrant prints is a winning combination.
🧵 Press seams open: For the flattest quilt top, press seams open when joining columns. The multiple seam intersections can get bulky if seams are all pressed to one side.
📏 Use a design wall: Before sewing, lay out all your rectangles on a design wall or floor. This lets you balance colors and check that all the diagonals are going the right direction before committing to stitches.
🪡 Try different scales: Smaller starting squares create a finer herringbone pattern, while larger squares (like the 10" layer cakes Jenny uses) create a bold, dramatic zigzag.
Ready to Try the Herringbone?
This quilt pattern is one of those rare designs that looks complex but is actually built from the most basic quilting unit — the half square triangle. If you can sew a straight line and cut with a ruler, you can make a herringbone quilt. The pattern does all the heavy lifting for you.
Grab a layer cake and some background fabric, and start making those HSTs. You'll be amazed at how quickly this stunning quilt comes together!
