Lazies, meet our newest pattern, Yo Yo Cutie Pins! Aren’t they adorable!!! The second fabric, peeking through the gathered opening is a modern twist on the traditional yo-yo favorite. Feature a fabric, picture, button or more. Add a pin, ribbon, magnet to create a keepsake to wear, hang on the tree or fridge.

Yo Yo Cutie Pins pattern (LGD132) from Lazy Girl Designs

Why These Cuties Are Special
One thing you’ll notice about these yo-yos is how crisp and clean their lines are. It’s almost like they’ve been starched, standing at attention. The secret is slipping a little of our Stiff Stuff interfacing inside the yo-yo to give it structure and substance. It’s a perfect pairing.

Free-Range Yo-Yos
A single yo-yo is usually added to something – sewn onto, paired with, stuffed, stitched to more yo-yos, etc.  The Stiff Stuff makes the yo-yo perfect to roam free on its own. I made a bunch of these and wore them at Quilt Market recently. Here I am at Quilt Market with the fabulous Eleanor Burns. I’m wearing the large size Yo Yo Cutie Pin.

Two Sizes
Make Yo Yo Cutie Pins in large or small sizes with large or small openings. Below is the large size shown with a pin (I’m wearing it in the pic above, small opening) and the small size with a ribbon to make an ornament or hang tag. I made the small size in holiday fabrics as wreath pins for family and friends this month (pictures next week).

Pattern Covers – Click images to enlarge

^{[1] [2]}

Supplies and Details
This is a scrounge-able project, make due with what you have on hand or try some of the tools shown below (check your local quilt shop or online).

Yo Yo Cutie Pins (LGD132)
Fabric: 10″ squares for yo-yo, 5″ squares for contrast center
Stabilizer: 1/4 yard Stiff Stuff Firm sew-in interfacing by Sew Lazy (SLG107)
Safety Pins for pin option: size #1  (1 1/16″)
Ribbon for ornament option: 7″ of 1/8″ – 1/4″ wide ribbon
Pattern price: $7 retail
Available: in about two weeks

Tools for Making Yo Yos
Cut fabric circles and make yo-yos following the directions in the pattern, or use the wonderful Clover Quick Yo Yo Makers. The pattern uses the yellow extra large size and the blue jumbo size. Be sure to check out my Clover Yo Yo Maker tutorial here ^[3].

Link Clover Round Extra Large Yo-Yo Maker (yellow) ^[4]
Link Clover Round Jumbo Yo-Yo Maker (blue) ^[5]

^{[4] [5]}

Tools for Cutting or Marking Circles
Use templates in the pattern to cut the size circles needed, or try one of these fabulous tools. The Olfa tool has a small rotary blade to cut. The Clover tool is a compass used with a pen to draw a circle that you can cut with scissors.

If using the Olfa too, (I love this tool) be sure to watch their video demo online here: Rotary Circle Cutter ^[6]

Link OLFA 1057028 CMP-3 Rotary Circle Cutter ^[7]
Link Clover 5 In 1 Sliding Gauge with Nancy Zieman ^[8]

^{[7] [8]}

Yo Yo Cutie Pins Pattern
The pattern will be available in about two weeks. Check your favorite retailers who carry our designs.

More pics and tips next week on how I added beads and decorated with a ribbon bow to make little wreath pins.

Enjoy!
Joan