These decorative shirred circles can be used by themselves…with loop of yarn or trim attached…as decorations for your tree.  They can be sewn together in a chain.  Or they can be stitched to other items…such as pillows, tote bags, vests (see Noreen’s ideas), scarves, hats, headbands for decorative effect.

They also can be sewn together, as quilters in the 1920s and ’30s did, to make quilts, spreads, and table cloths.

To make a Yo-Yo:  Cut a circle from cotton or cotton-blend fabric, 4, 5 or 6-inches in diameter, depending on the size you want your decorations.  Some quilters make mini yo-yo’s and cut even smaller circles.  I find the 6-inch circle is a convenient size, especially if you’re making yo-yo’s with your children.

Turn under a tiny hem, just slightly less than 1/4 inch, to the wrong side.  Children will need this pinned down before they start sewing.  Adults usually can turn as they sew. You also can press the hem, if you find that works best.

Take a double thread with knot in the end.  Then make basting size stitches around the hem.  Gather the fabric as you go. 

When you’ve finished sewing and gathering, you’ve gathered your circle into a double circle with small hole in the center of the front.  Take a few stitches to secure your thread.  For decorative effect on Christmas decorations, sew a pretty button or sequin in the center over the hole.

One hint:  Do not gather with tiny quilting stitches.  This will leave a large hole in the center.  Basting stitches will gather the circle tighter so there’s only a small hole left.

This is a good way to use up scraps of fabric.  For Christmas decorations, use Christmas fabrics and colors.

Post from: Blisstree

Making Yo-Yo Quilts & Decorations for the Holidays

I found that a quilt made with 7-inch squares could be made easily and quickly.  Why did I choose 7-inch squares?  I have no idea!  Perhaps I read about it at the time, saw a quilt I liked, was informed by another quilter, or had an order for one of this type. 

So I cut 7-inch templates from heavy paper (often the front or back of a magazine), pinned them to 2 thicknesses of fabric and cut out the squares.  With a rotary cutter (something that was just coming onto the market when I began quilting) you can cut more and cut them quicker.  I planned for a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

My pieces might be mix and match, using up various fabrics I had on hand.  Or I might choose specific colors and lay them out on the floor or cutting board to make a pattern.

Then I sewed them in strips using a sewing maching, and pinned and stitched the strips together.  These squares can be used for any size quilt you want to make.  You can use these for crib size; however, for the small quilts, I generally used 4 or 5-inch squares.

Then fill, back and bind as for any quilt. 

Also, when I was making quilts to sell, these were popular because I didn’t have to charge so much.

Post from: Blisstree

Q & A – What’s an Easy Quilt for a Beginner?