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Make a Fabric Yo Yo or Suffolk Puff

May 21, 2014 By Lauren at Molly and Mama 27 Comments

Never made a fabric Yo Yo before? Well let me tell you, nothing could be simpler. These adorable little fabric puffs have been adorning quilts and all manner of sewing projects since the 1930’s. Also known as Suffolk Puffs, they’ve always been a popular way to use up fabric scraps.

Being completely hand stitched, they’re a practical and portable project. You can make them in any size you wish and use them however you want. I love to make pretty hair accessories with them. You can use them on all sorts of projects. I even added some to this pin cushion tutorial. Learn how to sew it HERE.

Looking for more inspiration? My Yo Yo Pinterest Board has lots of ideas too!

So here’s some simple, step-by-step instructions to sew your own yo yo’s.

I’ve used gorgeous Liberty tana lawn for mine, but you can really use any fabric. Experiment with different prints and fabrics or even lace. You can get some beautiful results! And once you’ve stitched one yo yo, I promise you won’t be able to stop. They’re just so easy, and so cute!

Gorgeous yo yos by Molly and Mama - a simple tutorial

YOU WILL NEED

 – ironed fabric scraps

– a circle template or circular object to trace around

– water soluble or erasable marker

– scissors

– needle and thread

LETS GET STARTED

If you’re making more than one yo yo for a project, and you’d like them all to be the same size, it’s useful to create yourself a template. Trace a circle onto cardboard or template plastic. I tend to use a 5 inch circle which creates a yoyo around 2 inches across. Use a compass to get a perfect circle shape. Alternatively, you can use an object from around the house. I like side plates, jar lids and CD’s, but anything with the right diameter will do. Cut out your template and label it for future use.

Trace around your template or object using your marker or pen, onto the wrong side of your chosen fabric. 

Make a fabric YoYo with Molly and Mama

Carefully cut out your fabric circle and give it a quick press with the iron if you haven’t already done so.

Make a fabric YoYo with Molly and Mama

Now we’re set to get stitching. Double thread an embroidery needle with sewing thread, and tie a knot in the end. Make sure you have enough thread to stitch the circumference of the circle.

I begin by folding over a scant hem and sewing a running stitch around the outside of the circle. Start stitching on the right side of the fabric so that the knot shows (we’ll hide it later).

If your stitches are close together, you’ll create a larger ‘opening’ at the centre of the yo yo. I like wider stitches that close the gap in the centre instead.

Make a fabric YoYo with Molly and Mama

I find it quicker to ‘load up’ your needle with a number of stitches at once. It is also easier to check that your stitches are the same size. Then you can pull your thread through and continue sewing.

Make a fabric YoYo with Molly and Mama

When you have completed ‘hemming the circle’, ensure that your last stitch exits on the right side of the fabric. This will make for a neater finish when you finish your yo yo.

Make a fabric YoYo with Molly and Mama

Gently pull your cotton to gather up the stitches into a little puff.

Make a fabric YoYo with Molly and Mama

Flatten the puff and then shape the yo yo with your fingers, helping the ‘pleats’ to be evenly spaced. Ensure the knot is hidden in the pleats. When you’re happy with the shape, use a few extra stitches to secure your yo yo.

Make a fabric YoYo with Molly and Mama

One way to quickly complete your yo yo is to tie the ‘knot’ end of your thread to the ‘needle’ end and trim the knot once secure. I like to use invisible stitches and stitch through the pleats to ensure my sewing is secure instead.

Remember to trim off extra thread and keep any threads hidden inside the yo yo. Your completed yo yo is ready for use!

Make a fabric YoYo with Molly and Mama

I’ve used this kind of yo yo to create a hair clip by attaching a pretty crochet flower to the front, and a ribbon covered clip to the back. You can follow my tutorial for this project HERE.

(Thanks to MiaMia Photography for the gorgeous baby guinea pig photos!)

Thanks for being here for another Molly and Mama tutorial. You can find more projects for beginners HERE. Sign up via email so you don’t miss a thing! Use the tabs in the right side bar.

Keep up to date with my sewing and project ideas by visiting PINTEREST. And feel free to share your creations on the Molly and Mama Facebook Page and tag me on Instagram.

What projects will you be making with yo yo’s? Happy stitching, Lauren x

This post was written by Lauren Wright for Molly and Mama http://www.MollyandMama.com.au

Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: instructions, suffolk puff, tutorial, yo yo, yoyo

Comments

  1. Jessie Stracener says

    May 21, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    So cute! I love little yoyo’s

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      June 2, 2014 at 9:07 am

      They’re such a practical little project Jessie. I can’t wait to make a little coverlet with them.

      Reply
  2. Joyce says

    October 3, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Love Yoyos .. Use as emblellishments on quilts and tea towels. I have a yoyo quilt that was made by my Grandma which consists of approximately 1400 yoyos… all made from the scraps of sewing for her 6 daughters MANY years ago. My treasure!

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      October 4, 2014 at 4:04 pm

      Joyce, the story of your Grandmother’s quilt is so precious. It’s lovely to hear so thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  3. Rebecca Peters says

    October 3, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    To complete the yo-yo, you say to “tie the ‘knot’ end of your cotton to the ‘needle’ end and trim the knot once secure.” I don’t understand what that means.

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      October 4, 2014 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks for your question Rebecca. As an alternative to securing the yo yo with backstitches, some people like to tie the sewing cotton ends together instead. You can leave a long tail when you tie the knot in the end of your cotton before you start stitching. When you stitch around the circle you’ll come back to your cotton knot. After gathering your yo yo, you could tie your cotton to the tail you created and make a new knot that will hold all your stitches together. Does that make more sense? If not, let me know and I’ll post a photo for you. Cheers! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kate says

    October 3, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    This is a terrific tutorial on yo-yos … thank you so much for sharing it. I really like some of the ways you’ve used yo-yos and you’ve given me some good ideas. ^^

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      October 4, 2014 at 4:05 pm

      Kate, I’m so glad you’re feeling inspired. I’d love to see some of the projects you create! Have fun!

      Reply
  5. Valerie says

    October 3, 2014 at 11:14 pm

    I always thought small close stitches were best to create a closed look, now I know why mine never closed! Thanks a zillion!

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      October 4, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      Thanks for your feedback Valerie. Glad to be of help 🙂

      Reply
  6. Debbie Sanders says

    July 10, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I love yo yo’s! This is a great tutorial thanks for sharing with us.

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      July 10, 2015 at 11:34 am

      You’re very welcome Debbie. I love them too!

      Reply
  7. Lauren at Molly and Mama says

    June 17, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    Thanks for linking Chrissy! Your cushion project is adorable!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. ‘Afternoon Delight’ Autumn Shoot | Molly and Mama Makes says:
    May 27, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    […] I made all the hair accessories too. The large rosettes were created with fabric Yo Yo’s. You can learn to make your own HERE. […]

    Reply
  2. Yo-Yo Pillow How-To » Always-C says:
    June 12, 2014 at 6:19 am

    […] Make a Fabric Yo Yo or Suffolk Puff […]

    Reply
  3. Make a Yo Yo Hair Clip | Molly and Mama Makes says:
    July 17, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    […] made these before, they are super simple. And I have very conveniently included a link HERE to a previous tutorial that explains exactly how to make […]

    Reply
  4. Make a Lucky Pin Cushion for St Patrick's Day - Molly and Mama says:
    June 5, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    […] made these before, they are super simple. And I have very conveniently included a link HERE to a previous tutorial that explains exactly how to make […]

    Reply
  5. Appliqué a Bunny for Easter - Molly and Mama says:
    June 5, 2015 at 6:24 pm

    […] have written a simple to follow (but detailed) tutorial for yo yo’s HERE. But basically you need to cut out your circle template, and trace around it (with your erasable […]

    Reply
  6. Make a Shamrock Clip for St Patrick's Day - Molly and Mama says:
    June 18, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    […] made these before, they are super simple. And I have very conveniently included a link HERE to a previous tutorial that explains exactly how to make […]

    Reply
  7. Fabric Scrap - DIY Joy says:
    March 18, 2016 at 6:42 am

    […] mollyandmama […]

    Reply
  8. 49 Crafty Ideas for Leftover Fabric Scraps - DIY Joy says:
    March 18, 2016 at 6:43 am

    […] mollyandmama […]

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  9. Awesome Leftover Fabric Scraps Ideas - DIYCraftsGuru says:
    March 24, 2016 at 1:56 am

    […] mollyandmama […]

    Reply
  10. The Tilda Trunk Show and my Tilda makes - Molly and Mama says:
    September 19, 2016 at 6:02 am

    […] These delicate yoyo’s just begged to be showcased altogether. So I created a super simple decorative tea towel using the yoyo’s as a pretty feature. If you’d like to know more about yoyo’s (or suffolk puffs as they’re also called) just head to my YoYo Tutorial. […]

    Reply
  11. Make Felt Halloween Hair Clips / Daily inspiration from our bloggers says:
    October 28, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    […] fabric. To see more details about making these little fabric puffs, visit my tutorial about how to Make a Fabric Yo Yo on the Molly and Mama […]

    Reply
  12. Another idea | Perigrines Eyrie says:
    January 4, 2017 at 7:28 am

    […] Suffolk puffs […]

    Reply
  13. Make an Appliqué Bunny for Easter - Molly and Mama says:
    March 9, 2017 at 11:12 am

    […] have written a simple to follow (but detailed) tutorial for yo yo’s HERE. But basically you need to cut out your circle template, and trace around it (with your erasable […]

    Reply
  14. Favourite Makes of 2016 - Molly and Mama says:
    April 26, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    […] The hand towel with fabric yo yo detail was made for the Tilda Trunk Show showcasing the Memory Lane and Cabbage Rose fabric ranges that were released from Tilda this year. If you’d like to make yo yo’s, please see the tutorial. […]

    Reply

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Studio For Pretty Stitches
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To start things off this week, we’re asking you to introduce yourself and the areas in your sewing space you need help with. It could be a photo of your room, or just a little view of some supplies you need to clean, reorganize or sort. Post the photo on your public instagram profile using the hashtag #seworderly. 

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