How to Make Yo-Yo Headbands

Personalize your headband with some yo-yos.

Quilters have used gathered circles, known as yo-yos, to make bedroom gardens for generations. Crafters have caught on to the versatility of the little disks as well. Women and girls alike can enjoy the delight yo-yos add to the mundane and sometimes drab headband.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard or plastic lid
• Cotton fabric
• Hand needle
• Thread
• 1/2 yard ribbon, 1 inch to 2 inches wide
• Elastic cord
• Buttons or beads (optional)

Instructions

Yo-Yos

1. Cut a circle 1/4 inch larger than you want the finished yo-yo to be from a cereal box or margarine lid. This will be your template for cutting the yo-yos.

2. Place the template on the wrong side of the fabric and trace it lightly with a pencil. Cut out the circle.

3. Fold 1/4 inch of fabric toward the wrong side all the way around the circle, finger-pressing it as you go. You may also iron the fold if you choose.

4. Make a line of long gathering stitches around the circle, close to the fold.

5. Pull the gathering thread until the fabric draws to a tight cluster. Tie off the thread.

6. Flatten the gathered piece to make a circle.

Ribbon Headband

1. Cut a piece of ribbon to fit your head, minus 3 inches.

2. Cut a 3 1/2-inch piece of elastic cord. Tie it with an overhand knot to form a loop.

3. Fold 1/2 inch of the ribbon around the cord, wrong sides of the ribbon together. Stitch the end of the ribbon down with the knot inside the fold. Repeat on the other end of the ribbon.

4. Pin yo-yos to the ribbon until you are satisfied with the design. You may cover the entire band, cluster a few yo-yos on the side or the center or add a single large yo-yo. Use the gathered side as a part of the design, which is the traditional way to use them, or turn them over to show the smooth side.

5. Stitch the yo-yos in place, removing the pins as you go.

6. Embellish the band and yo-yos with buttons or beads, if you desire.

Tips & Warnings

• Speed the process by stacking the fabric before tracing the template. Cut all the layers at once.

• You may also glue the yo-yos to plastic headbands.

• Stitch the yo-yos to an elastic headband instead of the ribbon for a faster fashion treat.

• You may overlap the elastic cord and wrap it with thread to hold it together instead of tying it. And you may substitute 1/4-inch flat elastic for the cord. Overlap the ends and stitch them together to form the loop.

References

• Crafty Nest: Camp Craft No. 6: Yo-Yo Headbands, Brooches,and Hairpins
• Cut Out and Keep: Yo-Yo Headband

Resources

• Headhuggers: Headbands With Button Yo-Yos