Yo-Yo Quilt Throw Pillow Cover

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This pillow has been in the works for. Well, ever. I made the first yo-yo’s in May of 2011. So, yep, two years. Wow, we’re slow around here. Eeep!

Well, at least it’s finally done, that’s the main thing, right? We’ll focus on that.

I don’t have a tutorial for this per se. I just started making yo-yos, and then I attached them together until they were big enough to fit the pillow form I had. Then I sewed them to a square of fabric then turned that into a pillow cover using my usual method, except I but a quilt-style binding on it instead of turning. I kind of just did it because I wasn’t sure if it would turn out or not!

I actually have all the scraps set aside to make a quilt-size yo-yo quilt, so maybe there’s hope for tutorials, because I can at least show how I’m doing that.

Traditionally the quilt would be just open with no backing, but knowing my house, I think I might go for the appliqued version. Otherwise it won’t survive.

The interesting thing, is that I have discovered that I actually really love hand sewing. It’s so relaxing and satisfying. Unfortunately I don’t have lots of time to do it, but I try to squeeze it in when I can. Probably I should do more sewing and less Facebook. I probably need a sign that says that. More Sewing, Less Facebook. Heh. I’m picturing subway art. What do you think?

Do you sew?

Love, Angela

 




Comments

30 responses to “Yo-Yo Quilt Throw Pillow Cover”

  1. Oh, it’s beautiful and so colorful! I made one years ago, and I appliqued the yo yos on.Brenda

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Thank you, Brenda! I think the applique method is the way to go. Extra strength and warmth, too! ~Angela~

  2. I LOVE your yo-yo pillow. I’ve entertained thoughts of trying something like that but I have so many unfinished projects I’m afraid it would just go on the stack! The colors and fabrics are perfect!~Adrienne~

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Adrienne, thank you so much! They do take a long time, I have to say! But they’re so relaxing. I think if you don’t have any expectations about it getting done anytime soon, you’ll be fine. ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Angela~

  3. Barbara H. Avatar
    Barbara H.

    It looks beautiful, Angela. I tried Facebook for 2 weeks several years ago and then de-activated it. I could see it would eat up a lot of time and energy. Now I just play solitaire on the computer… Oh well, we do the best we can as we can.

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Barbara, it can really take up your time! I don’t even play games or anything anymore. Just keeping up with people and other bloggers. But somehow it takes up lots of time. I just need help with my priorities! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Angela~

  4. GIRL! That is beautiful! And that pink chair? In front of the flowers? OMG!!! You done GOOD! I love hand sewing, too! I edge all my quilts by hand. But you know, I’ve never made a single yo-yo in my whole life! I’ve seen the tutorials, even bookmarked some, but have yet to do one. Well, I’m putting that at the top of my Summer bucket list! Thanks kiddo, you inspire this old Grani (and yes, with an ‘i’!). Dona

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Hehehehe! Thank you so much, Dona/Grani! ๐Ÿ™‚ They really are fun and relaxing. Yo-yo! It’s the future! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Angela~

  5. Hillary Avatar
    Hillary

    More sewing, less Facebook! Ha! I could interchange that with a lot of my daily tasks! LOL LOVE the pillow though, lady! SO cute!

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Thank you, Hillary!! I think I need to make a printable for that one. ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Angela~

  6. That turned out very cute. I just began sewing. Basically, I can hem now…

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Thank you, Magali! That’s neat that you are learning to sew. Home sewing is so easy! It’s just straight sewing and hemming. You’ve got it! ~Angela~

  7. Really cute. Love the colors you’ve used.

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Thank you Stacey! I was going for that 30’s feedsack kind of vibe, I hope I achieved it. Thanks for visiting! ~Angela~

  8. Larissa Avatar
    Larissa

    Hello from Oxford )UK)Very nice pillow! I would like to make something like that for myself,using your work as inspiration.Thank you for shearing

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Hi Larissa! Thanks for visiting! I am hoping to do some tutorials soon that will help, but by all means, go forth and yo-yo! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Angela~

  9. LOVE!! Gorgeous pillow!

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Thank you, Leah! I can’t believe I finally got it done. ~Angela~

  10. this is just adorable, love the chair too!

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Thank you, Kathy! I just finished painting the chair a few weeks ago. Now I have to finish the other four! Eeep. ~Angela~

  11. It is just precious! I like hand sewing, too….very relaxing!

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Thank you! It is, isn’t it? I need to do more of it. Thanks for stopping by! ~Angela~

  12. How charming is that. I so adore it. I love to sew and your project turned out just perfect. Thanks for sharing at the Cabin’s BUDGET DECORATING PARTY.

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Thank you, Dawn! The best part is that I didn’t buy anything to make it — it’s all just from scraps and things I had on hand. I’m so thrilled that you like it! ~Angela~

  13. Jessica Mireles Avatar
    Jessica Mireles

    Can you explain how to make the yo-yos?

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Jessica, I am planning to do a tutorial on it soon, but I haven’t had a chance yet. In the meantime, here’s one I found online: http://www.sewretrothebook.com/how-to-make-a-yo-yo.html I hope that helps! ~Angela~

  14. What a sweet colorful pillow! I have a hint to pass on about making yo-yo’s. I made a queen size unlined quilt over a period of five or six years by stitching as I found the time. I always found time as I love to hand sew. Cutting circles to me is tedious and back breaking. Instead, I cut squares – a rotary cutter would make that an easy chore, but I cut mine with a cardboard square and scissors. Then I’d sit in the evenings with a stack of squares on the arm of my chair, fold each one in quarters, and round off the corners with a pair of sharp scissors. Practice that with paper until you’ve trained your eye – you’ll be able to round off nearly perfect circles. I found no need to press the edges – once you’ve made several and your hands adapt to the feel of it, you’ll be easily turning the narrow edges with your fingers. I used quilting thread that I waxed, either with Thread Heaven or beeswax. I found it easier to do the tiny loop knot on the outside, then pull the needle and thread through to the inside, make another knot, and run the needle and thread through 5 or 6 of the little inside gathers and then cut it close to the fabric. That way the thread ends are hidden and secure. This is such a nice portable project. You can keep it all inside a pretty box or tin and carry it with you. Happy stitching!!!

    1. Angela Avatar
      Angela

      Hi Ruth! Thank you so much for all the great tips! I cut my fabric in squares first, too (with a rotary cutter), but I have been using CD to make the circles. I will have to practice doing them by eye! Thanks for visiting! ~Angela~

  15. OMG, a throwback to my childhood in NYC in the late ’50’s, (oops, I’m dating myself!) My grandmother’s apartment was near the catholic parochial school we attended. My sisters and I were required to stop in and visit after mass on Sundays. When we got there, my grandma always had a stack of fabric circles waiting to be turned into little rounds. We called them cookies. She made lap throws and bed spreads with these, which she gave away as gifts. They were all lined with a soft, flannel like backing, dyed by her into interesting colors. When older, we all said grandma was ahead of herself as she did tie-dye before it was even faddish.

    1. Oh, what a great story, Aida!! I love it! I love the idea of having them have a flannel backing, that sounds so cozy! I might have to do that. Was the flannel part solid with the yo-yos attached? Or were they hole-y like when the yo-yos are just sewn together? I’m very curious. Thanks for visiting! ~Angela~

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