Instructions for a Yo-Yo Quilt Pattern
Yo-yo quilts are ideal for experienced quilters for several reasons. For one, the methods used to create the quilt are somewhat complex and require skills better mastered on less complex projects. Yo-yo quilts are also ideal for the experienced quilter because they are a fabulous way to use up the scraps left over from other projects. The basic pattern calls for cutting circles of fabric and gathering them into rosettes, or "yo-yos," and then attaching them to one another.
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Things You'll Need
- Squares of fabric
- Round stencil
- Chalk or a quilting marker
- Scissors
- Needle
- Thread
Instructions
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1
Choose a circle size for your yo-yos. It is imperative that this is a hard pattern that will remain consistent throughout the cutting process for all yo-yos. CDs, lids to butter and yogurt containers, and coffee cans all make excellent stencils of various sizes.
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2
Lay the stencil on top of the fabric you intend to make the yo-yos out of, and use a quilting marker or chalk to trace the circle on the prepared squares/scraps of material. Any mixture of solid and print materials will work, but using a single weight, such as all cotton or all knit fabrics, is best.
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3
Cut out the circles you have traced.
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4
Turn under/fold back a 1/4- or 1/2-inch seam allowance around each circle, and iron it into place.
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5
Hand stitch around the circle using a matching thread color to stitch the newly pressed seam down. It is important that you use a basic running stitch for this. There cannot be backstitching.
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When you have stitched all the way around the circle, pull your stitches to pucker the fabric and create a rosette. There will be a small hole, or indention, in the center. Use the needle and thread to evenly distribute the gathers around the center hole, and stitch them into place before tying off the thread.
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7
Repeat this process for all the circles you have cut out.
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8
When your yo-yos are completed, join them together to create a quilt top. To join two yo-yos, hold them with their faces together, and whip stitch along the right side for about 1/4 inch. Repeat this until you have created a row the width that you desire the quilt to be.
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9
Make a second row of yo-yos this same width, and then adjoin the two complete rows by laying them face to face and stitching the tops of each yo-yo together for 1/4 inch. Repeat this process until all your yo-yos are used up and your quilt is the final length desired.
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Tips & Warnings
The yo-yo top can be used as is over a sheet as a coverlet or attached to a large piece of material, batted and quilted.
References
- Photo Credit quilts image by Christopher Martin from Fotolia.com
