How to Make Fabric Yo Yos | FREE Templates & Pattern
Learn how to make fabric yo-yos with this easy beginner-friendly tutorial. Fabric yo-yos, also known as Suffolk puffs, are made by gathering circles of fabric into pretty flower-like shapes. They are perfect for decorating quilts, clothing, bags, cushions, hair accessories, and handmade gifts while helping you use up your fabric scraps. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to make fabric yo-yos in just 5 easy steps, with a printable template and plenty of decorating ideas to inspire your next sewing project.
How to Make Fabric Yo Yo Puffs (Quick Guide)
Making a fabric yo-yo is simple.
- Cut a circle of fabric.
- Fold the raw edge under.
- Sew a running stitch around the edge.
- Pull the thread to gather the fabric.
- Knot the thread and flatten the yo-yo.
- Decorate the center with a button or bead. Attach your yo-yo to a sewing or craft project
What Are Fabric Yo Yos?
Fabric yo-yos (also called Suffolk puffs) are circles of fabric hand gathered around the edge to form a flower-like embellishment with a textured center. Originally popular in England as Suffolk puffs and later used in American yo-yo quilts, they remain a favorite scrap-busting sewing project because they are inexpensive, portable, and easy to make by hand.
Why You’ll Love Fabric Yo-Yos
Fabric yo-yos (also called Suffolk puffs) are one of the easiest hand-sewing projects for beginners. They are inexpensive to make, completely portable, and a wonderful way to use up fabric scraps. Once you’ve learned the basic technique, you can sew them onto quilts, cushions, bags, clothing, hair accessories, and home décor projects.
They are often decorated with different button types and can be used to decorate clothing, make hair clips, and brooches. They can also be sewn together to create interesting blankets, coverlets, mats and even a yo-yo quilt.
Supplies
- Cotton fabric
- Hand sewing needle
- Strong thread like a hand quilting thread
- Buttons to decorate
- Scissors
What are the Best Fabrics for Fabric Yo Yos? Make your fabric yo-yos from your favorite scrap fabrics. Quilting cotton works especially well. You will find you get the best results with light to medium-weight fabrics as they are easier to gather.
Thin vs Thick Fabrics: Thin fabric will result in a flatter circle with smaller gathers. Thick fabric will result in a puffier yo-yo with larger gathers.
Free Fabric Yo-Yo Template
Rather than hunting for round objects around the house, download my free printable circle templates in several sizes. If you prefer, you can also trace around cups, jars, or lids. 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. A new window will open with the PDF file, which you can print. Further Reading: How to Print PDF Patterns
How to Make Fabric Yo Yos (Step By Step)
Fabric Yo Yo Video Tutorial
Fabric Yo-Yo Size Guide
| Circle Size | Finished Yo-Yo |
|---|---|
| 2″ (5 cm) | 1″ (2.5 cm) |
| 3″ (7.5 cm) | 1½” (4 cm) |
| 4″ (10 cm) | 2″ (5 cm) |
| 5″ (12.5 cm) | 2½” (6.5 cm) |
Finished sizes vary slightly depending on how tightly you gather the center.
1. Cut the Template
Cut out the template in your desired size and trace around it on the WRONG side of your fabric with a tailor’s chalk, removable fabric pen, or markers. Cut out your circle. Further Reading: Marking Tools for Sewing
2. Stitch Around the Edge
Thread your needle with the thread doubled over and knot the end. Remember, it is important that you use a thick thread.
Further Reading: How to thread a needle and How to use a needle threader
Try to 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.
TIPS: 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 yo yo size ends up slightly larger due to the gap in the center.
3. Pull the Thread
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.
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.
4. Flatten and Decorate
Flatten your fabric yo-yos and pull them into a symmetrical shape. Add a button or bead to the center. This can be stitched on or glued with a hot glue gun. Glue is an easy option if you don’t plan on washing your fabric yo-yos.
Pin for Later
How to Attach Fabric Yo-Yos to Hairclip
First, start by making your yo-yos and covered buttons. I have a full tutorial on how to make fabric yoyos, but in a nutshell, you cut a circle, do a running stitch around the outside, and then gently pull until the center gathers. Knot it off securely.
For buttons, you can use any type, but covered buttons are particularly nice in contrasting fabrics. They are fast and easy to make with a kit. Read how to make covered buttons. Stitch your covered button in the center of the yo-yo.
Attach it to your clip or hairband. If you are using one of these spring clips or bobby pins, make sure you just sew it to the top of the clip. Alternatively, you can use a hot glue gun to attach your yo-yo.
This is the Treasurie headband sewing pattern with the flowers sewn on the side.
Fabric Yo-Yo FAQs
A fabric yo-yo is a circle of fabric gathered around the edge to create a flower-like embellishment. It is also known as a Suffolk puff.
Quilting cotton works best because it gathers easily while holding its shape.
As a general rule, the finished yo-yo is about half the diameter of the fabric circle before gathering.
Yes. Simply trace around cups, jars, or lids to create fabric circles.
Fabric yo-yos are popular for quilts, clothing, cushions, hair accessories, wreaths, and bags.
In Conclusion
Now you know how to make fabric yo-yos, you can transform even the smallest fabric scraps into beautiful handmade embellishments. Whether you use them for quilts, hair accessories, clothing, or home décor, these simple Suffolk puffs are a relaxing hand-sewing project that’s easy to customize with different fabrics, buttons, and sizes. Once you’ve mastered the basic technique, explore my other free flower and hair accessory tutorials for even more scrap-busting sewing ideas.
How to Make Fabric Yo Yos
Difficulty
Tools
- Hand Sewing Needle
- Thread
Materials
- Fabric
Instructions
- Draw a circle or cut out the template in your desired size and draw around it on the WRONG side of your fabric. Cut out your circle.
- Thread your needle with the thread doubled over and knot the end. With the fabric WRONG side up, start folding over the raw edge by ¼ inch (6mm). Use a running stitch (simple up and down) to sew around the circle on top of the folded edge. Keep stitching all the way around your circle until you reach the end. Don’t cut the thread.
- 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.
- Flatten your fabric yo yo flowers and pull them into a symmetrical shape. Decorate.
Author - Luisa Clare
Luisa Clare is the founder of Treasurie, a sewing and crochet education platform offering step-by-step tutorials and printable patterns. With over 15 years of experience in dressmaking, pattern design, crochet, and craft education, she specialises in teaching beginners through clear, easy-to-follow lessons. Her tutorials and patterns are used by home sewists and crocheters worldwide to build practical skills and confidence. Learn more about Luisa and Treasurie.
What I do after tying off the gathers is to slide threaded needle under hole and out through edge of yoyo… Leaving enough thread to use for stitching yoyos together or unto something else.