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8 Ways to Use Yo-Yo’s in a Quilt

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Yo-yo’s have been a popular and timeless staple in the world of quilting for many years. They provide a charming, simple, and versatile way to add some extra flair and character to any quilt.

Yo-yos are often overlooked and underestimated, but they have the potential to be a stunning addition to any quilt project. In this article, we explore 8 ways to use yo-yos in a quilt and show you how they can elevate your quilt game to the next level.

Whether you are a seasoned quilter or just starting out, you are sure to find inspiration in these ideas and techniques. Get ready to learn how yo-yos can bring a touch of traditional charm and contemporary flair to your next quilt project!

Fabric yo-yos have been made and used for years in quilting and sewing.  It’s a fun way to add a little texture and dimension to your creation.  These 8 ideas are all great ways to use those little circles of fabric in your next project.  Which do you like best?

dollquilt

1- Yo Yo Doll Quilt from Sew Mama Sew

cherry

2- Cherry Block from Polka Dot Pineapple

mini

3- Mini Yo Yo Quilt from Yellow Farmhouse

posies

4- Posies Quilt Block from Patchwork Posse

treespring

5- Spring Tree Pattern from Fun Threads

modern

6- Modern Yo Yo Quilt from Issuu

pillow

7- Quilted Pillow from Katros Blog

tree

8- Jovial Christmas Tree from Moda Bake Shop

As a quilter, I love using yo-yos in my projects. They add a fun pop of color and texture, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to sew yo-yos for your next quilting project:

Cut your fabric into circles. Depending on the size you want your yo-yos to be, you can use a template or trace around a cup or lid to cut out your circles.

Fold the circle in half, and then in half again, creating a smaller circle. Place a small stitch in the center of the folded circle to hold it in place.

Start sewing around the edge of the circle, leaving a small gap between each stitch. As you sew, gently pull the thread to gather the fabric.

Keep sewing around the edge of the circle, pulling the thread tighter and tighter until the fabric is gathered into a neat little yo-yo.

Once you’ve sewn all the way around the edge of the circle, knot the thread and trim the excess.

Repeat the process for each yo-yo you want to make. Once you have a bunch of yo-yos, you can arrange them however you like on your quilt or other project.

To finish, you can stitch your yo-yos onto your quilt using a needle and thread, or you can use fabric glue to attach them.

And that’s it! Making yo-yos is a quick and easy way to add some extra color and texture to your quilting projects. Happy sewing!

 

 

 

Comments

  1. So lovely to see my Yoyo flower doll’s quilt shared here. Yoyo’s are such a fun scrap busting project! Thanks for including the link to my tutorial on Sew Mama Sew. It’s in some terrific company.

Have you read?

Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down and Learn Something Old – A Quilter’s Honest Look Inside the Book

I’ll be completely honest before we even start.

Hand sewing has never been my strong point. In fact, I have almost zero patience for hand quilting. I love the look of it, I admire the tradition of it, but sitting still long enough to stitch an entire quilt by hand has always felt like a test of endurance for me.

That’s exactly why I was curious when I started flipping through Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down & Learn Something Old. The title alone suggests something a lot of us probably need more of these days — a chance to slow down and reconnect with the craft itself.

After browsing through the book, it feels less like a strict instructional manual and more like an invitation to rethink how we approach sewing.

First Impressions While Flipping Through the Pages

One of the first things I noticed while browsing through the book is how calm and thoughtful the layout feels. The photography, the pacing of the instructions, and the tone of the content all lean toward the idea that sewing by hand is meant to be a slower, more intentional experience.

Instead of rushing through projects, the book encourages you to treat stitching as a quiet process.

And honestly, that might be exactly what makes it appealing.

Even for someone like me who usually gravitates toward a sewing machine and quick finishes, the book made me pause and consider the idea that hand sewing might actually be a way to slow my mind down a bit.

What This Book Focuses On

The book explores traditional hand-sewing techniques and projects that are designed to help you reconnect with slower sewing methods.

Rather than focusing only on large quilts, it introduces smaller projects and techniques that build confidence with hand stitching.

As I browsed through the pages, the emphasis seemed to be on:

  • Traditional hand stitching techniques

  • Mindful sewing and slowing down the creative process

  • Simple projects that highlight the beauty of handwork

  • Learning skills that have been passed down through generations

It feels very much like a return to the roots of sewing before everything became fast, digital, and machine-driven.

The Philosophy Behind Slow Sewing

What stood out most while flipping through the book wasn’t just the projects themselves — it was the mindset behind them.

There’s a clear theme running through the book that sewing doesn’t always have to be about speed or productivity.

Sometimes the act of stitching itself is the point.

For quilters and sewists who enjoy hand work, this philosophy will probably resonate immediately. For those of us who are used to finishing quilts quickly with a machine, it offers a completely different perspective.

And I’ll admit… even though hand quilting still tests my patience, the idea that it could be a way to quiet a busy mind is pretty appealing.

The Style of Projects in the Book

The projects inside the book lean toward simple, timeless designs that highlight the beauty of hand stitching.

Rather than complicated patterns or heavy piecing, many of the designs focus on techniques that allow the stitches themselves to become part of the visual design.

This makes the projects feel approachable, even for someone new to hand sewing.

You get the sense that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s enjoyment of the process.

Who This Book Is Best For

This book will likely appeal to:

  • Quilters who enjoy hand quilting

  • Sewists interested in traditional hand sewing techniques

  • Makers looking for slower, more mindful creative projects

  • Anyone wanting to step away from the machine occasionally

If you already love hand sewing, this book will probably feel like a natural fit. If you’re someone like me who usually relies on a sewing machine, it might just encourage you to try a few hand-stitched projects and see how it feels.

After spending some time flipping through Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down & Learn Something Old, I can see why the slow sewing movement has become more popular.

It reminds us that crafting doesn’t always have to be about finishing quickly. Sometimes it’s about enjoying the quiet rhythm of the stitches themselves.

Will I suddenly become a dedicated hand quilter overnight? Probably not.

But the book definitely made me think about giving hand stitching another try — if only as a way to slow my mind down for a little while.

And honestly, that might be the real value of a book like this.