How to Make Fabric Yo Yos

If you are looking for decorating ideas for your girls dress sewing patterns then fabric yo yos are fast and easy to make. Best of all you can use up some of your favorite fabrics from your scrap pile! Learn how to make fabric yo yos in 5 easy steps.

Download the pattern here for your fabric yo yo flowers template. A new window will open with the PDF file which you can print. I recommend saving the file to your desktop first and then opening it in Adobe Reader. Printing from your browser directly may result in changes to the scale of the pattern.

When printing your pattern pieces, make sure that your printers “page scaling” is set to “none” and “auto center and rotate” is checked.You can use a photocopier to enlarge or reduce the pattern pieces to get an endless array of sizes. The size of your finished yo-yo will vary slightly from these sizes depending on how small the hole at the center of the yo-yo ends up.

Make your fabric yo yo flowers from your favorite scrap fabrics. Quilting cottons work especially well. You will find you get the best results with light to medium weight fabrics as they are easier to gather. A thin fabric will result in a flatter flower with smaller gathers. A thick fabric will result in a puffier flower with larger gathers.

How to Make Fabric Yo Yos: The Video

Here is a video I made for you on how to make fabric flowers. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly sewing and craft videos.

1.Cut out the template in your desired size and draw around it on the WRONG side of your fabric with a tailors chalk or removable fabric pen. Cut out your circle.

2. Thread your needle with the thread doubled over and knot the end. Remember it is important you use a thick thread. Try and make your knot as large as possible so it doesn’t pull through. With the fabric WRONG side up, start folding over the raw edge by 1/4 inch (6mm). Use a running stitch (simple up and down) to sew around the circle on top of the folded edge. Try and stitch as close as possible to the outside folded edge.

TIP: Before you start stitching think about the effect you want. Long stitches will mean you can pull the center of the yo-yo tighter and there will only be a small gap. Smaller stitches will result in a larger gap in the center. This can be great if you have a domed button you would like to sit in the center. It will also mean your flower size ends up slightly larger due to the gap in the center.

3.Keep stitching all the way around your circle until you reach the end. Don’t worry if the folded edge is not perfect as you won’t see it once the yo-yo is gathered. Don’t cut the thread.

4.With the thread still attached, gently pull so the circle starts to gather. Keep pulling until the fabric all meets in the middle. Knot off and cut your thread.