Houston, We Don’t Have a Problem
Every year when I go to the quilting festival in Houston, I’m seriously impressed with all of the cool things people are making with my fabric collection. It’s truly inspiring… might even pick up a needle and get threading myself!
My friend Vivian Peritts is a regular at my booth. She’s a really great person who makes wicked cool stuff. So today, Vivian is sharing instructions on how you can make these stylish pieces with a few simple materials and, well, a steady hand. I bet her Christmas tree was decked out with these yo-yo balls. Nice.
The first project we’ll take a look at was originally designed to be worn as a necklace, but lots of people have been using them as decorative garland, which I think is pretty cool.
Yo-Yo Garland / Scarf
Materials
- Assorted Ty Pennington Impressions™
by Westminster Fabrics
- Polyester fiberfill
- Sewing needle and threads to match the fabric
- Approx. 3 yds. heavy duty cording and needle with large hole (I used black cotton crochet thread #6)
by Westminster Fabrics
Instructions
- Cut approximately 100 two-inch circles and approximately 25 three-inch circles out of a variety of colors of Ty’s fabric.
- See the instructions for “Making a Yo-Yo” below and make yo-yo beads out of each of the circles. The only adjustment you will need to make to the yo-yo instructions is before you pull the gathering cord closed to add a small ball of fiberfill.
- After all of your beads are made, start stringing them on the large hole needle that has been loaded with the 3-yard length of heavy cord. Knot one end of the cord and start with a large bead. I varied the number of small beads I put between each of the large ones 4-6.
- When you reach the desired length end with a large bead, secure the thread and cut off any excess.
Making a Yo-Yo*
- Cut all fabric into indicated size circles.
- Use a needle and a double thread to sew around each circle. Push the needle in from the wrong side, ¼” in from the outer edge. (Fig 1)
- Fold edge over ¼”, hiding the knot, and sew gathering thread all the way around the circle, close to the fold, forming a yo-yo. (Fig 2)
- Pull the gathering thread to form a tight circle. Secure the thread. (Fig 3)
*Note: The number of yo-yo balls that you will need depends on the final length of your scarf. Please read through all instructions before beginning.
Fabric Bracelets
Materials
- Wooden curtain rings with eye screws removed
- 45”x ½” strips of Ty’s fabric
- Fabric Glue
Instructions
- Secure one end of the fabric to the wooden ring.
- Start wrapping the fabric around the ring slightly overlapping the previous wrap.
- Secure end with glue.
Have fun creating as many bracelets as you want, and try the scarf in fun wraps and drapes – around your neck, or around your house or maybe Christmas tree!
Thanks again Vivian for sharing your DIY jewelry instructions! You rock!
original content posted on 2/23/13
