What is it? – Chances are either you or someone you know has a box full of fabric yo-yo’s under the bed or in a closet. And chances are either you made them or they were given to you by your grandmother or an aunt. It’s surprising how many people tell the same story. But why do so many people make fabric yo-yo’s? The answer is actually very simple. It’s FUN! Sit down in a comfy chair, grab a handful of fabric scraps and get your creativity flowing. Colors, patterns, shapes, textures, it’s all up to you. And you end up with a bunch of gorgeous little fabric medallions that can be formed into any number of accessories for home or wardrobe. But how do you make them? Old school uses the lid of an oatmeal container or an orange juice can as a template. The more modern, technologically enhanced method uses a discarded CD as a template. Either way, templates make sure the yo-yo’s are consistent in size and shape. But it’s not just the size and shape that matters. The stitches around the edge of your fabric must be consistent too. If the seam allowance varies, so will the shape. Also, too many small stitches and your yo-yo’s won’t close properly. What to do? Always the creative companion, Clover has developed Quick Yo-Yo templates that will enable you to create with reckless abandon.
What does it do? – Creativity happens at the speed of thought. Consistently spacing stitches a quarter inch apart with a quarter inch seam allowance is a little more tedious. Clover’s Quick Yo-Yo templates take away all of the guess work. Perfect yo-yo’s every time.
Quick Yo-Yo makers are sturdy, two-piece plastic templates. Simply capture the fabric between the two discs and trim the excess. Take a threaded needle sequentially through the perforations in the template to produce evenly spaced stitches at an exact seam allowance for perfect gathers.
Quick Yo-Yo makers are provided in several cools shapes and sizes. The more traditional round yo-yo’s come in five sizes from extra small to jumbo. Hearts and flowers come in two sizes each. There are also two sizes each in both butterflies and shamrocks. Lots of shapes and lots of sizes. Up to you how you put them together.
How do I promote it? – Yo-Yo’s are a unique creative medium. Color, shape and texture all blend to achieve the desired result. The most amazing projects can be made in almost no time at all. Kids love making them because it’s just neat to see the yo-yo form when you pull the thread. It’s a real stash buster too. If you’ve got a store, host a Yo-Yo theme party. Ask everyone to bring an interesting fat quarter and share ideas and fabric. Mix and match yo-yo shapes and sizes. There are no rules. Make up some samples of bed covers, table runners, dolls, Christmas ornaments, wall hangings, vests or fashion accessories. Let the stitching begin.
