How to Make a Yo-Yo Bedspread
Although fabric yo-yo's require hand cutting and stitching, the finished result can be well worth the time and effort. Make a group of yo-yo's, in similar or contrasting fabrics, and make a yo-yo bedpread. After you finish making the yo-yo pieces for the bedspread, sew the pieces together to make a spread as large or as small as you need.
Things You'll Need
- Card stock
- Scissors
- Cotton fabric
- Pressing mat
- Iron
- Needle
- Matching thread
Instructions
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1
Determine the size you need to cut the fabric circles. Multiply the finished yo-yo size you desire by two and add 1/2-inch to this answer. For example, if you want 2-inch yo-yo's, multiply 2 * 2 = 4 + 1/2 = 4 1/2. Then cut your circles with 4 1/2-inch diameters. Make a template this size out of card stock.
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2
Figure out how many yo-yo's you need to make the bedspread. If you want a 60-inch by 80-inch bedspread and you are making 2-inch diameter yo-yo's, divide 60 / 2 = 30 and 80 / 2 = 40. Multiply 30 by 40 to equal 1,200. This will mean you need 1,200 yo-yo's.
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3
Cut out one circle for each yo-yo you wish to make using the cotton fabric. Place each circle onto a pressing mat with the wrong sides facing up. Press up 1/4-inch around the edges of the circles.
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4
Thread the needle with an 18-inch length of thread and tie a knot in the end of the thread. Stitch a running stitch around each circle along the 1/4-inch pressed edge to hem the circles. Do not knot or cut the thread.
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5
Pull the needle to gather the stitches. As you pull, the stitches will pull tightly into a small circle. Keep pulling until you cannot pull the stitches any tighter. Stitch one or two tiny stitches to hold the gathered stitches, and tie a knot. Cut off the excess thread and flatten the yo-yo carefully. This completes one yo-yo. Make as many yo-yo's as you need for your bedspread.
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6
Lay out the yo-yo's in the pattern and placement you desire for your bedspread. The tops of the yo-yo's have the center circles.
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7
Thread the needle with another 18-inch length of thread and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Stitch the yo-yo's together at the edges by taking about four or five stitches where the yo-yo's touch at the sides. Continue stitching the yo-yo's together to make rows and then stitch the rows together in the same manner.
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Tips & Warnings
Because the yo-yo's do not have raw edges and wrong sides visible, you do not need to bind or back a yo-yo bedspread. Use it as a coverlet over a matching or contrasting blanket.
