Many people feel a certain amount of intimidation with quilt making. They feel they lack the skills to follow the intricacies of quilt patterns and the stitches that are needed for pieces to line up just so. While there are many block designs that can be hair raising or result in hair pulling, fabric yo-yos are one of the simplest styles I have encountered.
Yo-yos became popular for quilt making in America during the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. They were very portable. Women could carry fabric circles, needles, thread, and small scissors with them for whenever they had a free moment. With that in mind and the fact that one yo-yo can be finished in about five minutes, makes this a perfect project for today’s busy lifestyle. Keep these few supplies handy for doctor’s waiting rooms, sidelines at soccer games, or even to keep your hands busy while supervising a teenage driver.
Cut your fabric circles twice as big as the finished yo-yo you are creating. If you want a 2″ yo-yo, cut a 4″ circle. You can use a compass to make your pattern or anything round that will give you the desired size yo-yo, such as a jar lid, glass or compact disc. Fold the edges over a 1/4″ as you sew a running stitch close to the folded edge using a strong thread. Pull up the gathers tightly and secure with a few more stitches and trim the thread. Smash flat and you have completed a yo-yo. To connect yo-yos, lay out your desired design and stitch together where yo-yos touch.
Today’s busy lifestyles may make fashioning a whole quilt a bit frightening, but there are many excellent projects that can be created using fewer yo-yos and a smaller amount of time. Start small or start big, either way, yo-yos are sure to become a favorite technique for your creative endeavors.
Dresser Scarf, Table Runner or Shawl-I lumped these three projects together, because in laying them out and designing them you will have a very similar look.
Vest-Make the whole vest from yo-yos or embellish an existing one.
Pillow Top-Lay out a design the dimensions of your throw pillow and connect. Position on top of the pillow and tack in place.
Embellish T-Shirts-Make yo-yos into flowers and add a button over the opening for a flower center and add to your t-shirt.
Purses-Trim the top edge of a purse with yo-yos.
Garland-Attach end to end as long as you like.
Christmas “Tree” Ornament-Stack three green yo-yos-small, medium and large-to create a “tree” ornament.
Snowman Ornament-Take three white yo-yos and stuff two lightly for a squished looking body and one yo-yo stuff firmly rounded for the head and put them together. Add snowman details.
Snowman Pin-Attach two white yo-yos side by side and add a pin to the back.
Angel-Attach a wood plug or circle slightly off center of a yo-yo for the face. Use two wooden hearts for the wings and add a pin back.
Barrette-Glue yo-yos to an existing barrette.
Capri Pants, Blouse Bottom-Add yo-yos around the hems of Capri pants or a summer blouse.
Belt-Make a cute hip belt.
Bookmarks-Attach 4-5 yo-yos together.
Coasters
Curtain Tie Backs
