know the yo-yo

I am not a fine detail sewer. I am a make 'em quick and robust with as many shortcuts as possible kind of gal. It comes from my nature - I'm easily irritated by fiddly stuff - and from learning how to sew while caring for a toddler. I make no apologies.

But, lately, I've had this nagging feeling like I should maybe be focusing a bit more on the details, the little embellishments that make handmade so much more than ready made. I'm find myself studying colours and textures in a relaxed (spaced out) way that I really haven't indulged in since I was a child studying my Holly Hobbie wallpaper instead of falling asleep in the evening under the mid-summer sun.

Or maybe right there is the connection. The feeling came about about the same time as I made Smootch her Holly Hobbie snack backpack, which is now also my first victim of my forays into embellishments.

Yes, I yo-yo'd it.


I'm not sure how I feel about the yo-yo. It does require the hand sewing, something I usually avoid, but it's actually a fairly easy embellishment and is interesting enough to look at (if you can avoid rectal associations). The thing that the yo-yo has most going for it, I believe, is that it is a big circle of fabric that can be used to cover up sewing flaws and stains, which is why I've started making a bunch of yo-yos for a dress I'm working on. The dress isn't going so well.

Just in case you no know the yo-yo and want to try, I've put together a quick little tute.


1. Cut out a circle that is about twice as wide as you want your yo-yo, plus a 1/4" seam allowance.

2. Fold the seam allowance down, wrong sides together, and sew in place with a running stitch all around the circle.

3. When you come back to the start, do not secure thread, but pull the edges of the circle in.

4. Now secure the thread.

5. Press the edges of the yo-yo.

6. Slip stitch the edges of the yo-yo to desired location.

Now I'm off to play with more yo-yos, and explore some other embellishment techniques I can use to tart up my sewing (and cover oopsies). Happy weekend all!

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