How to Use a Fabric YoYo Maker

Fabric yoyo makers.

I've always enjoyed making fabric yoyos, except for the tedious cutting of those perfect circles of fabric. I was so excited to discover very recently there are yoyo makers available to make this task much quicker and easier. You can use a fabric yoyo maker, skip through all the time consuming parts and make a perfect fabric yoyo every time.

Things You'll Need

• Yoyo makers
• Scrap fabric
• Sewing needle & thread
• Sewing scissors
• Thimble (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Choose the size yoyo maker to match the planned project. Note there are 4 yoyo makers in the picture, Extra Large, Large, Small and Extra Small.

2. 

   Learn the parts that make up the fabric yoyo maker. The plate is the larger plastic piece with uniform slotted holes for stitches all along the edges. The smaller piece (the disk) has raised lines on the front side.
   Practice the proper alignment of the yoyo maker by inserting the disc into the plate, front side facing you. Pick one line on the disc and align it with one of the protrusions on the outside rim of the plate.

3. 

   Choose a scrap of fabric large enough to cover yoyo maker plus a little extra, no matter the shape of the cloth. Make sure the back of the fabric faces the back of disk. Place cloth and disk onto plate, aligning disk lines with the protrusions on the plate rim. Snap into place.

4. 

   Use scissors to trim the excess fabric approximately 1/4" away from the edge of the plate.

5. 

   Thread a sewing needle with a single thread. Make a knot at the end.
   Fold the fabric seam allowance towards the disk and hold securely with your fingers.
   Begin to the left of a protrusion and sew counterclockwise. Insert needle from the back of the plate through the right side of the first slotted hole. Push needle back by inserting through the left side of the slotted hole and out through the disk. Repeat all the way around the circle, including stitching a second time through the initial slotted hole. Stop sewing.

6. 

   Insert thumb through the hole in the plate to pop off the disk and separate the two pieces.

7. 

   Remove the cloth from the disk by gently lifting away the seam allowance fabric. Note the result is perfectly uniform stitches which should result in a perfect fabric yoyo.

8. 

   Pull the thread while folding the seam allowance inward, creating neat folds in the fabric yoyo as you continue gathering. Form a tight circle. Make a secure knot by wrapping the thread near the center opening three times around the tip of the needle. Quickly push needle through this and into a fold of the fabric and out the same fold on front. Cut thread close to the fold to hide.

Tips & Warnings

• You will hear and feel a slight click that lets you know the disc and plate are properly aligned. If you don't hear this, try again before sewing.

• If needle does not insert easily into the hole, you don't have the disk and plate aligned correctly. Try again; the sewing should be a smooth process.

• Making an ending knot as instructed in the last step will create a neatly finished fabric yoyo. Just a little bit of practice is all it takes to do this.