playing with yo yos
2008
[ christmas decoration using the jumbo size and the small ]
I’m often a big Doubting Dora when it comes to change or trying something new – give me old and familiar any day (my goodness, I’m turning into my nanny :-0) So when I saw those yo-yo makers at the Quilt Store a couple of years ago, I dismissed them in a heartbeat with a “Why would you buy a piece of plastic to do something that everyone can do with a needle and thread!” Hmmm…..
Well, we’ve been mulling over ideas for classes for 2009 and a Gadget a Month class sounded fun – you know, “Yes it is a gadget, but look what you can make with it!” First up – the yo-yo maker! I came home with three sizes on Wednesday and sat them next to my sewing machine. After a couple of hours, I took them out of their packages, puzzled over their plasticness, then left them there. A few hours more and I scanned the instructions with an afternoon cup of tea. Finally, I popped a scrap into the smallest one and gave it a burl.
[ christmas napkin rings using jute upholstery webbing and the medium yo-yo maker ]
Huh! They’re remarkable! You use way fewer stitches, form a lovely sturdy hem, and – yes – make lovely even gathers. But honestly, I’ve not had a problem with even gathers before now – and I still think you need to gently ease the first of your gathers right round to the knot before you give the mighty pull. However, the yo-yo maker is COOL! You don’t have to make a template and draw lots of circles – and as I said, the hem means they don’t need a button, the fewer stiches mean you finish lickety-split, and they have a lovely fullness and sturdiness that my old version just didn’t! I LIKE it :-)
In fact, after our day at the beach, I sat up in bed with Brother Cadfael for company and made them ’til midnight and then yesterday made more! The ideas were popping out with the same ease as those little soft plastic disks. I even had my beautiful new notebook from Hope to lay them all down in. Perfect! I can now see yo-yo potential everywhere.
[ christmas card garland combining the previous christmas decoration with yo-yo pegs using the small yo-yo maker ]
Of course, at the moment they have a decidedly Christmas feel but come 26th December …
Even Lucy was drawn to yo-yos – she had a day at the beauty parlour this week and “Real Living” was right – every girl wants to be pampered at Christmas and will you look how gracious and pretty old Lucy feels now. No more racing through the garden beds with Simon to bark at the neighbour’s doberman and coming back with a muddy beard for her!
[ yo-yo headdress for discerning dogs – of course, adherence to Prevention of Animal Cruelty practices means we cannot stitch it on to her head and it thus falls off when she moves – hence the quick and blurred photo – but nevertheless, this design does provide a fleeting moment of sweet yo-yo-ness to be giggled at ;-)
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[...] Vote playing with yo yos [...]
Lily, I love your yo-yos! I´ve made many yo-yos too, even tiny heart shaped. I am here mrs. Santa and packing all Christmas parcels I send all over the world! I also sew angels, because I got new ideas of Syko´s angels! Christmas fair and bazaar is here during the weekend, but I must stay at home and finish all presents, wrap and pack them to be posted. Tomorrow I go to Lucia happening. I love this tradition! Have a nice weekend!
much too pretty
Yes.. I discovered this little trick when making all those teensy yo-yos for the owls.. the fewer the stitches the nicer the gathers! Even on the tiny ones. Your yo-yos are so pretty.. and make very lovely canine hats. ?
I showed the yo-yo photo of your dog, to my dog… and he says it’s just Not Right. Apparently, dogs have too much dignity, despite appearances to the contrary….
Loving all that yo-yo goodness!
What a wonderful Post on yo-yo’s and the pic with your puppy is just so gorgeous!
Hugs – Lurline!
Well, nothing says you can’t use a little double stick tape for that yo yo on Lucy. :-) Don’t tell her I suggested it. She looks very smart after her spa treatments! I won’t show that to my dogs–they will get ideas. Or an idea. One idea a day between the two of them. Good or bad. I felt the same way about the yo yo makers and had the same reaction after trying them–they just make things easier and faster. After I figured out how to use them (i.e., read the directions). Things are looking festive there. I turned on an awful battery operated candle tonight. That is the state of affairs in the “festive” dept. here.
I’ve been having the same kind of doubts about those yo-yo makers, but after reading this, I might be tempted – maybe I’ll mention them to Santa, and I might find one in my stocking…?
Oh, no wait – I have yet to finish stitching that!
Christmas is all about new toys. Glad to see you are enjoying yours.
I have been tossing up buying these yoyo makers and couldn’t decide but think I have to have them now!! Thank you.