How to make and assemble adorable yo-yo quilts ~Charm patterns also available~

These yo-yo quilts are absolutely adorable! And they're surprisingly easy to make!

What is a yo-yo quilt?

Yo-yo quilts are made by sewing together circular pieces of fabric to create flower-like motifs, which are then joined together. The name comes from the fact that the gathered fabric resembles a yo-yo.

How to make a yo-yo quilt (basic method)

First, make a pattern.

Prepare a pattern that is twice the size of the finished yo-yo.

For example, if you want to make a yo-yo with a diameter of 3 cm, you would use a template with a diameter of 6 cm. If you don't have a template, you can use a cup or something similar to mark the size.

Let's make a yo-yo!

Place the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric, mark the lines, and cut, leaving a seam allowance of approximately 0.5 cm. Here, we are using a pattern with a diameter of 6 cm.

Press the seam allowance inward and sew a running stitch 0.7-0.8 cm in length 0.2 cm inside the fold.

As you sew, press the seam allowance inward with your left hand. Using the tip of the needle to press down on the seam allowance will help to shape it.

Sew a running stitch all the way around, overlapping the end of the stitch with the outside of the starting stitch, and bring the thread end to the back.

Pull the thread to gather the fabric and shape it.

Take a stitch into the gather and backstitch.

Make a knot hidden in the valley of the gathers, bring the needle out from a short distance away, and cut the thread.

If the running stitch is too fine, a hole will form in the center, like the yo-yo on the right. The size of the stitches should be proportional to the size of the yo-yo. Also, when using thicker fabric, it is a good idea to use larger stitches and double the thread.

How to connect yo-yo quilts

Insert the needle through the hole, connect the first two, then thread it through the yo-yo to the next connecting section, and continue connecting them in the same manner.

I sew them together, thinking about how to connect them in a single continuous line.

It's done.

[Advanced Techniques] How to Make a Double-Sided Gathered Yo-Yo

Draw a rectangle with the vertical dimension representing the diameter of the yo-yo you want to make and the horizontal dimension representing the circumference, then cut the fabric, adding a 0.5cm seam allowance.

Fold it in half with the right sides facing each other, and sew the edges.

Turn the fabric right side out, fold the top and bottom seam allowances inward, and gather them with a running stitch to tighten the fabric.

The yo-yo with gathers on both sides is complete! *The amount of gathers will be less than in a yo-yo with gathers on one side.

Charms you can make with yo-yo quilting

Let's have fun creating cute motifs using yo-yo quilting techniques. From charms made by layering four yo-yo quilts of different sizes, to macarons and four-leaf clovers, they're all irresistibly cute!

[PDF] Click here for the Yo-Yo Quilt Charm pattern. 

Enjoy the thrill of crafting with yo-yo quilts.

These yo-yo quilts are made from small scraps of fabric, and each one is incredibly cute. Make lots of them and enjoy connecting them together!

The Couturier blog also features lots of other helpful information, from basic sewing procedures to more elaborate embroidery techniques. Don't miss the Couturier shop, which sells DIY kits, and our official social media accounts!

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