Tutorial - yo-yo christmas tree decoration

This is a Christmas yo-yo, it's flouncy, it has sparkle and will make the fairy on top of the tree just a little envious. Plus, it's fun to make and there is loads of scope for adding beads, sequins and maybe even a little glitter if that's what makes you happy.

This takes just a very few minutes to make.

Requirements;

• Fabric for your yo-yo's (This yo-yo was made from an 18 centimetre (approximately 7 inch) diameter circle.
• Paper to make a circle template with.
• Interfacing or cardboard from a cereal box (enough for a 7 centimetres (approximately 2 3/4 inch) diameter circle.
• Some green felt (enough to cut three holly leaves)
• Some white felt (enough to provide an edging of snow for the holly leaves)
• Some broderie anglaise, lace, ribbon or ric-rac for edging (if using)
• Button for the centre of the yo-yo
• Suitable cord or ribbon to hang the decoration with
• Embroidery floss if you're going to embroider the holly leaves
• Thread and needle
• Textile glue (optional)

1. Create yourself a template for the circle or find a conveniently sized plate or jar lid to drawn around. Cut out the circle of fabric. This yo-yo was made from a 18cm (approximately 7 inches) diameter circle.

2. Cut out a circle of the interfacing or cardboard. For this size of yo-yo it needs to be about 7 centimetres (approximately 2 3/4 inches) in diameter. If you are using cardboard it is a good idea to cut a small circle out of the middle so that it doesn't become too difficult to get a needle through later when you are sewing on the button.

3. Make yourself a pattern for the holly leaves which need to be about 8 centimetres (approximately 3 inches) in length. Cut out three holly leaves from the green felt.

4. Using a holly leaf as a pattern (one of the ones you've just cut out of the green felt) , cut out three holly shaped leaves from the white felt with a margin that shows around the outside of the green leaf. (These will be attached to the back of the holly leaves to resemble a fringing of snow, after the embroidery is finished.)

5. Make your yo-yo by turning over a 1/4 inch hem (see this tutorial here if you've never made a yo-yo before) and using a doubled thread sew evenly sized running stitches all the way around.

6. Begin to gently pull up your yo-yo and insert your piece of interfacing/cardboard into the 'mouth' of the yo-yo. (If you want to make large yo-yo's for decoration or brooches out of soft fabrics, this is a good way of preventing the yo-yo from flopping forward when it is hanging.) [

7. Make sure that the interfacing/cardboard is centred in your yo-yo so that you get a nice even shape. Pull the fabric up tightly and taking your needle through to the back of the yo-yo fasten off the thread.

8. The leaves. If you are going to embroider a little detail onto the leaves then now is the time to do so. I just used a little stem stitch down the centre with a silky lime green floss. One thing I do like in my christmas decorations is a little shine and sparkle!

9. Centre the green holly leaves onto the white holly leaves so that it looks as if the leaves are fringed with a little snow. Once you're happy with the arrnagement either stitch them together or use a little textile glue. I cheated and used the textile glue !

10. If you are going to add a fringe of broderie anglaise, ribbon or ric-rac to your yo-yo, that needs adding now. I used quite a wide broderie anglaise rescued from an old skirt of my daughters. I used about 12 inches of it and ran a gathering stitch along the lower edge and pulled it up tight. Even out the gathers a little and you end up with a pretty gathered rosette type shape.

11. Attach the ribbon or cord that you are going to use for hanging the decoration with, to the back of the broderie anglaise rosette. (I used about 12 inches of cord, folded in half so that I can tie it onto the tree at whatever length seems right )

12. Arrange the holly leaves behind the yo-yo. Once you're happy with how they look either stitch or glue them into place. (I sewed them on this time.)

13. Attach the broderie anglaise 'ruff' to the back of the yo-yo by sewing through the yo-yo and the broderie anglaise.

14. Choose a button that makes you happy and sew it in the centre of the yo-yo and there you have it a Christmas yo-yo to add to your tree.

I hope you like this little 'make' and if you do create one using this tutorial then please add it to the Flickr group. I'd love to see them.

Comments

[dottycookie]

That's very cute indeed!

[vInTaGeVioLeT]

that is very sweet and i may just give it a go!