February 27, 2010

Yo-Yo Flowers Tutorial

Quite a few of the Design Team made the project kit add on this month. I know when midnight rolls around we are going to see a few different takes on the fabric flower.

I love making fabric flowers, and one of my favorite quick and easy ones is the yo-yo flower! For one thing, its called a yo-yo flower, that totally makes me smile and think of Eazy-E. When you make it without a hem, it is a quick and easy embellishment to any project.

Here's my process:


1) Find a circle for a template. This is a random chipboard circle that I had lying around, but I've used all sorts of things in the past including a punch like this. The finished flower will be 1/2 the radius of the beginning circle.

2) Either trace the circle or just cut out around the circle template. I chose to trace the circle.


3) Cut out your circle! I love my cutterbee scissors, but I've also used these Tim Holtz scissors with excellent results.

4) String a needle with embroidery floss or bakers twine with a knot in the end. Sew a running stitch around the outside edge of your circle, leaving approximately 1/8th inch of fabric. Gathering fabric as you go.

You don't need to make a hem like you would on a quilt yo-yo, because we will be covering up the middle of our yo-yo.

5) In the end you will have a little drawstring bag.

6) Turn your bag into a flower with the gathered part in the center. Leave the floss and needle in place if you are sewing on a button. If not, tie off your floss.

7) Sew a button into the middle of your yo-yo, and voila, a yo-yo flower!!!


Here is my completed banner project for our new baby's room. There is a yo-yo flower between each flag. I used the Patchwork add-on along with papers from the other kits for the mini banner and letters. I used lime twine for the mini banner. I also added a spray of Lemon Mist on each of the flags.

Here are a couple of other uses for yo-yo flowers.

17 comments:

Denise said...

Thanks Joy! Loved the tutorial. Your layout and banner are superb.

Debbie said...

those are gorgeous. gonna try that tomorrow !~

Davinie Fiero said...

Yo yo ma, these flowers are adorable, but I'm most excited about your actual banner and those mini banners! That is so sososososo cute as is the photo with you in it! LOVE.

Ohio Artful Yogi said...

Thank you for teh reminder to use the fun yo yos!

Amy Heller said...

Stunning! I can't wait to try this with my new Patchwork kit! ;)

Sarah said...

Very cool- I LOVE the little mini banner- great idea!

janelparis said...

Love the tutorial, saw it today, made one and sewed it onto one of my daughters plain tank top. Thank you!

Susan Weinroth said...

so so SO cute joy!!!

Betsy said...

love those flowers and love the peek at your cute belly.

flowers said...

WOW!!!! This is stunning! Thank you so much for the tutorial! It was nice going through your blog.

Rachel M said...

Thanks for the tutorial! Your banner looks lovely.

april said...

awesome tutorial, joy! love this!

Unknown said...

This is darling! I love yo yos!

Mary - said...

this is awesome joy!! thx so much for the wonderful tutorial. i can wait to get creative & make some now! have a great day! smiles! m-

Lori said...

thanks for the tutorial - made some of these flowers today to put on my daughters summer tanktops!

viagra online said...

Hi...Those are beautiful and interesting information about the various uses.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the instructions. Saved me a huge step and I greatly appreciate it.