Recycle Old Clothing to Create a Stylish Yo-Yo Necklace

Old clothing that has worn out or clothing that has gone out of style is just what you need to create a stylish necklace. This necklace, which anyone can make, is a simple accessory that will accentuate any clothing, because you make the necklace to go with the outfit. You use the old technique of Yo-Yo making, which is a form of making fabric flowers. Yo-yo making was first used to make quilts because women could easily carry the needed materials in their pockets and work on the individual yo-yos when they had a few free moments. It does require a small amount of hand sewing, but the stitches do not have to be perfect or sewn in a straight line.

Items Needed to Make a Yo-Yo Necklace

-Three or five pieces of fabric scraps (any light or medium weight print or color will do)
-Matching thread
-Needle
-Scissors
-One-half or three-fourths inch matching ribbon (24-inches long)
-Three or five small matching buttons to use as flower centers
-Fabric glue
-Pencil
-Drinking and/or juice glass to make yo-yo template or purchased template from fabric store

How to Make a Fabric Yo-Yo

Wash and iron all fabric ensuring they are clean and free of wrinkles. Position a glass or the template on the fabric and draw around it. It does not matter if you use the wrong or right side of the fabric as the markings will be hidden. Cut out the desired number of circles for your necklace. You may want to have circles of various sizes. Fold over the edge of the circles one-fourth inch all the way around and press with your fingernail or use an iron.

Thread the needle and make a knot in one end of the thread. With the folded side showing, insert the needle near the folded edge so that the knot will be on the wrong side of the fabric. Sew a loose running stitch all the way around the circle close to the edge, while remaining on the folded area. When you reach the end, pull the thread gently, but tightly to gather the edge and almost close the hole. The right side of the fabric will be showing on the outside with the hole on the underside. When you have the desired size of the center hole, knot the thread several times to prevent it from coming undone and snip off excess. Iron or finger press the yo-yo flat with the hole on the backside in the center.

Sew or glue a button to each yo-yo center (remember the hole is on the underside). Center and arrange the yo-yos on the middle of the ribbon and pin in place. Either sew or glue the finished yo-yos to the ribbon.

You are now ready to wear your necklace. Simply position it around your neck and tie the ribbon in back.

NOTE: When you cut out a circle, it will be about half the cut size when finished.

Source: Personal quilting and sewing experience