Ask Joi: Yo! Where My Yo-Yo's At?

Question from Anonymous,

What are yo-yo's and what is a yo-yo quilt?


Hello Anonymous,

Yo-yo's are stitched puffy-like circles made of fabric. The edges of the circles are turned inward and secured and gathered in using a running stitch, thus creating the distinctive yo-yo look. With such a long history and use some may think that yo-yo's have been around since the time of Jesus. Well, maybe not that long, but they've been around the block a time or two. They can be made in various sizes and fabrics.

(photo credit: Crafthubs)

Yo-yo's have been made and loved by quilters, crafters and even fashion designers. Every few years you may see yo-yo's come back into fashion, but they never really go out of style. People are always finding ways to decorate clothing, crafts and home decor with these little tuffs of fabric. (Anybody out there remembers when yo-yo vest were all the rage?)

(photo credit: Make it and Love it)

There is something addictive about sewing those little circles and watching them pile up. It's a hand sewing activity that once you get in a good groove, can be quick to make.

Now, when it comes to quilts, I consider yo-yo quilts to be up there with king-size postage stamp quilts and hand quilting a whole cloth queen-size quilt. These are all labors of love.

(photo credit: Quilterscache)

Depending on the type of fabric used, a yo yo quilt can be light to medium in weight. There is usually no batting or backing in a yo yo quilt. You just stitch each yo yo together in whatever pattern you like until the piece grows into your desired quilt size. 

Now you will also find traditional quilts where yo-yo's are appliqued on or even some yo-yo quilts where the quilter has made in entire quilt out of yo-yo's and then sewed it down onto cloth, making a heavier and more durable quilt.

(photo credit: crochetbug)

Like English paper piecing, yo yo making is a great travel project. You'd be amazed how many yo yo's you can produce in a six hour flight from California to Hawaii.

(photo credit: all people quilt)

Here is a good link to help you get started in learning to make yo-yo's: Martingale

Clover has a wonderful line of yo-yo making tools in various sizes and shapes. You can check out their entire line here: Quick Yo-yo Makers.

Clover Quick Yo-Yo Maker

Have a quilting question? Send it to me:  michellecalimattingly at gmail dot com