I belong to a wonderful neighborhood book club, filled with awesome ladies I probably would not have met if not for our shared love of reading (and wine). I wanted to make something fun for the members this holiday season, and came up with this quick and fun bookmark pattern. Warning—once you start making yo-yos, you may find it difficult to stop!

 

One 5" square of fabric

One 10 1/2" by 2 1/2" strip of fabric

Optional: Yo-yo maker

Optional: Embellishments

You should be able to find all you need in your scrap pile. Leftover charm squares are ideal for the square, and I recommend using discarded bits of binding strips for the long piece. I like mixing and matching the fabrics, though you can certainly use the same fabric for both pieces.

This project is incredibly flexible—you can make the yo-yos bigger or smaller depending on the fabric you have on hand and the strip can be a bit shorter or longer. Work with what you have!

 

Take the strips of fabric. Fold each end down about a quarter of an inch. Stitch the ends, about 1/8” from the edge. Then fold the strip in half lengthwise and press.

Fold each side in half towards the center. Press well.

Stitch along the edges, about 1/8” in from the edges. The piece measures about 10" by 5/8". Set aside.

If you have a yo-yo maker, like this one from Clover, follow the directions provided. I used the large size and it made perfectly uniform yo-yos quickly and easily.

If you are making yo-yos without the aid of a yo-yo maker, mark a circle on your square piece of fabric. You can use a lid, a plate, or anything that’s the size circle you need. Cut along the traced lines.

Finger press the edge in about a quarter inch. Then, thread a needle with some sturdy thread and sew along the edge using large running stitches (about ¼”). When you have sewed all the way around the circle, pull the thread to gather the stitches. Knot the ends and hide the threads inside the yo-yo. Make as many yo-yos as you wish!

Embellish the yo-yo as desired. Buttons and large beads both work well. A smaller yo-yo on top of a larger one is also a fun choice.

   

Sew by hand the prepared strip of fabric to the back of the yo-yo.

 

These yo-yo bookmarks are perfect for whatever you're reading!

 

Happy sewing and happy reading!

 

Christine Weld

The Quarter Inch

 

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