Friday, May 7, 2010

DIY Fabric Yo-Yo's

I've found another scrapbuster that I absolutely LOVE - Making fabric Yo-Yo's! Whenever I see a yo-yo, I think of a quilt my grandma made that my mom has framed in a shadow box in her living room (wish I had a picture). It's gorgeous and so unique!

Here's a little history on Yo-Yo's
(skip ahead to the tutorial if you are about to yawn)

"The Yo-Yo quilt was a popular style of quilt making in America from the 1920-40s. Yo-Yos, or tiny circles of fabric, were gathered up at the edges and sewn together to create a three-dimensional effect. Yo-Yo quilts were popular because women could carry the little circles of fabric with them and make Yo-Yos whenever they had a free moment. Another way to explain the popularity of the Yo-Yo quilt may be its association with the toy called the Yo-Yo, very popular in the 1930-40s."
found here

Here's what you'll need:

-Iron
-Scissors
-Needle & Quilting Thread
-Marker
-Circle Template
-Fabric Scrap



Note:
*You can use any circle shaped object you have in the house (a mug, bowl, coaster, etc).
*Your finished yo-yo will be about 1/2 the size of your starting circle. To make a 2 inch finished yo-yo, begin with a 4 inch circle template.



Step 1:
Trace and cut out your circle.



Step 2:
Turn fabric right side down and press the edges with an iron - about 1/8 inch all around. This doesn't have to be exact, but you'll want to keep the circle shape.



Step 3: Thread your needle and knot the end. Start at the edge facing you and go in and out making a running stitch around the perimeter of the circle.





You can pull your thread and fabric as you go to see how it looks.




Step 4: When you get to the beginning again, finish with your thread going inside the yo-yo, knot it off and clip the string so that it's hiding inside.



Step 5: Straighten the gathers and flatten with an iron.



Simply stitch these little guys to tee shirts to create little yo-yo clusters:







Or glue them to some hair clips:


Or make them into a necklace:



The possibilities are endless! Happy stitching!

14 comments:

  1. SO SO CUTE! I am going to make some.

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  2. I LOVE these! My SIL and I just made a bunch last weekend and I've already started a few projects with them!

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  3. This is super cute! Love the tee it's adorable! Would love to have you stop by the Sunday Showcase Party if you get a chance! Your tutorial is fabulous! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Stephanie Lynn

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  4. Those are so So cute!! I'd love for you to link this up http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/05/sundae-scoop-favs-link-party-and.html

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  5. Darling + thanks for the tutorial. Visiting from Skip to My Lou (-:

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  6. Thanks for the tutorial, Allie! I've been recently wanting to start yo-yo making! :)

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  7. Thanks again for such a fabulous tutorial. I just love what you have made with these! Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the Sunday Showcase Party. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you have a great week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  8. Great tutorial! These are SO cute. I love all of your examples! :) Found you on Tip Junkie.

    Brooke @ Craftingchicks.blogspot.com

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  9. Thanks, this looks easy enough for a clueless beginner like me

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  10. I love these!!! Great ideas & job!!!
    Hi..I’m Barb….I am from tip junkie..
    I am your newest follower. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @ santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com
    & get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well. Nice to meet ya new friend!!!

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  11. I love those t-shirts! So cute! I'll have to try that. Popping by to give you the sunshine blog award. If you are interested, pop over and pick it up.
    www.lissyinitaly.blogspot.com
    Melissa

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  12. Hello there. I came upon your website from a link on Simple Organic. I love these yo-yos! They are adorable. I just have a question about what's the best way to sew them on to the garment after you have made them. I am still a beginner sewer and I think I sew better with machine than by hand but any tips you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

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  13. LOVE this thanks so much I'm pregnant and can't wait to try these!!!!

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