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How to Make Fabric Yo-Yo Christmas Ornaments

January 9, 2020 By Nicki 2 Comments

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Browsing an annual holiday craft fair with my mom and sister,  I rounded the corner and stopped abruptly.

My eyes widened and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Hanging from a Christmas tree display was a colorful assortment of ornaments in the shape of Christmas trees…all made from fabric yo-yos!

While I had seen many ways to use fabric yo-yos, I had never seen anything like this before.

I LOVE fabric yo-yos and, needless to say, was super excited. Looking carefully at each yo-yo Christmas tree, I finally selected one where all of the yo-yos were made from the same fabric.

The Inspiration

The magical moment described above happened a few years ago. Ever since then, when we decorate the Christmas tree, a warm fuzzy feeling fills my chest when I unwrap the yo-yo ornament from the tissue paper and hang it on the tree.

Fabric yo-yos are made into a Christmas tree ornament.

For years I’ve thought about having a Christmas tree dedicated to handmade ornaments. This year, I’ve started making it a reality. Can you guess what ornaments I made first?

That’s right… Christmas trees out of fabric yo-yos!

How to Sew Yo-Yo Christmas Tree Ornaments

After following the directions in this lesson, you’ll know how to make cute Christmas tree ornaments made out of different size yo-yos.

Tip: Read all of the steps before you begin.

Preparation

Gather the Supplies

Supplies to make the Christmas tree ornaments out of yo-yos
  • For ONE yo-yo Christmas tree you’ll need:
    • 2 yo-yos made from a 5-inch template*
    • 3 yo-yos made from a 4-inch template*
    • 3 yo-yos made from a 3-inch template*
    • 2 yo-yos made from a 2-inch template*
    Built with ConvertKit
    • embroidery floss (such as DMC)
    • needle
    • 1/8-in ribbon (for the ‘star’)
    • a bell about 3/4″ in diameter (for the ‘trunk’)
    • 1/4-inch ribbon (used to hang the ornament from the tree)
    • scissors

    *Not sure how to make the fabric yo-yos? They are simple and enjoyable to make and a fantastic way to use up scraps.

    Check out my post on How to Sew Fabric Yo-Yos.

    There is a video on how to make them along with written directions and photos.

    Construction

    Tip: Read all of the steps before you begin.

    1. Cut a length of embroidery floss about 14-inches long. If you’re using a type of floss like DMC that is made up of 6 thin strands, separate 2 strands from the rest to use together.

    2. Thread the embroidery floss through the handle of the bell.

    Thread the floss through the bell's handle.
    I’m using 2 strands of the DMC embroidery floss.

    3. Bring the ends of the floss together and thread them through the eye of the needle.

    4. Start with the largest yo-yos. Poke the needle through the center of one yo-yo at a time. Push the needle from the bottom to the top. The flat side of the yo-yo should be facing toward the bell and the gathered side should be facing up.

    Insert needle through bottom of the largest yo-yo.
    Put the two largest yo-yos next to the bell.
    The two largest yo-yos are closest to the bell.

    5. Add the next three yo-yos (made from the 4-inch template) to the floss. Push the needle through the center of the yo-yos one at a time.

    Add the next three yo-yos made from the 4-inch template.

    6. After that, add the next three yo-yos (made from the 3-inch template).

    7. Now, add the smallest yo-yos.

    Add the remaining 5 yo-yos.
    All 10 yo-yos are threaded on the floss.

    8. Make sure all the yo-yos are resting against each other so the embroidery floss is not visible between them.

    9. Cut a length of 1/4-inch ribbon that is about 10 inches long. Fold it in half and push the needle through the fold. The ribbon should be resting on the top yo-yo.

    Attach ribbon to the top yo-yo.

    10. Make a stitch about 1/4-inch in length near the fold and push the needle back through the center of the top two yo-yos. Pull the needle out from the bottom of the second yo-yo from the top.

    Secure the ribbon.

    11. Gently tug on the floss to make sure there aren’t gaps between the yo-yos and the small stitch you just made is resting flat on the ribbon. Remove the needle and tie the floss in a knot. Clip the thread close to the knot fabric.

    Tie off and clip floss.

    12. Straighten the two sides of the 1/4-inch ribbon so they are next to each other. Keep the sides together and make a knot. Leave a loop large enough to hang on a Christmas tree branch. Clip the ends of the ribbon at a diagonal.

    Tie the ends of the ribbon together and cut.

    13. Cut a length of 1/8-inch ribbon that is about 12 inches long. (This is more than you’ll need, but it makes tying the bow easier.) Tie a bow around the base of the other ribbon. Cut the excess ribbon at a diagonal.

    Tie bow with the 1/8-inch ribbon.

    That’s It. You’re Done!

    Finished ornaments made from fabric yo-yos.
    Yo-yo ornaments hanging from a tree.

    Fabric yo-yos are super cute and a good way to use up fabric scraps. In addition, they are simple to make and can easily be done while watching TV or listening to a podcast.

    Combining yo-yos with each other and adding details such as buttons, ribbon, bells, beads, etc. results in creative ways to embellish everyday objects and/or create something unique.

    Let’s Connect

    My main goals are to support, empower, and inspire you to discover the joy of sewing.

    Need help or have questions on this project, pattern, or tutorial? Send me an email at nicki@theruffledpurse.com and we can work together to get it figured out!

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    About Nicki

    Nicki Hibbits is the writer behind The Ruffled Purse blog. She has spent almost all of her adult life either sewing or thinking about sewing. After 28 years as an elementary school teacher, she has combined her love of sewing with her teaching expertise to support, empower, and inspire others to discover (or rediscover) the joy of sewing.

    Comments

    1. Elizabeth Farr says

      December 5, 2019 at 7:45 pm

      These are super cute! The jingle bell at the bottom is fantastic. I love yoyos too. I have a big ole long garland string of them on my tree!

      Reply
      • Nicki says

        December 6, 2019 at 8:34 pm

        Thanks, Elizabeth. A yo-yo garland is such a great idea, I think I’m going to make one for myself!

        Reply

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    Hello, I’m Nicki!

    Welcome to The Ruffled Purse® where you can discover (or rediscover) the joy of sewing! I want to inspire you to use sewing to bring to life creative ideas as well as a way to solve everyday problems. With sewing, you can create wonderful things for yourself, your home, and others. About me...

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