Yo Yo Pattern Weights Tutorial

Do you love to sew? I love to sew! I will admit that I am not as fabulous at it as I wish I were, but I am learning little by little and having a wonderful time doing it. The funnest thing about sewing is looking at some of my first projects and truly giggling at the slight mishaps…hehehe…that I had and are very visible in the project. It surely makes me appreciate my small bits of improvements and the tools that have helped me achieve them. One of those tools are super great pattern weights just like the ones Michaela from Covered in Mod Podge is sharing with us today. These are awesome tools and so great at making sewing so much easier. However, you can use these great weights for so much more than sewing too, like holding ribbon in place while making gorgeous, full and fabulous bows! Enjoy!

Hi there Ribbon Retreat Readers! It’s Michaela from Covered in Mod Podge again!

Every once and awhile I come across a sewing tip, trick, or tool and wonder how I ever sewed without it. Pinking sheers! I mean how crazy was I for sewing without them for years! Pattern weights are defiantly on this list too.

Pattern weights eliminate the time consuming practice pinning pattern pieces to your fabric before cutting. They make cutting with a rotary cutter a breeze. I’ve cut out a couple of patterns since these little gems came into my life and my mind has been blown!

You won’t believe how affordable and easy pattern weights are to make. You’ll need to pick up 5/8in washers from the hardware store. Mine were 44 cents a piece. You’ll need 2 per pattern weight.

So, to make 5 pattern weights, you’ll need:
10 5/8in washers from the hardware store
3 fat quarters of coordinating fabric (I used Turquoise Raindrops, Natural Raindrops, and Navy Springtime Flowers all from April Showers by Moda)
Hand sewing needle and thread
3/4 inch covered button kit
Hot glue gun/glue

Start out by taping your washers together, two by two. This will keep them from wiggling around inside your pattern weight. Washi tape or painters tape work great for this.

Next, cut out five 4 inch circles from your fabric. I used a mug to trace. Vary what fabric you use. I made two circles of the first two prints and one circle of the final print.

To make the Yo Yo, you’ll run a loose gathering stitch {by hand} about 1/4 inch from the edge of the entire circle. Double thread your needle and knot the end before you start sewing.

When you get back to the start, gently pull the threads until a cup forms.

Slip your taped together washers into the pocket.

Gather the thread tightly to close your Yo Yo. Knot off the thread and trim your thread ends. Repeat till you’ve finished all five Yo Yos.

Now, follow the directions on your covered button kit to make the five covered buttons.

Hot glue a coordinating button on top of your pattern weight. Be generous with your hot glue, making sure you get all the loose ends of the fabric covered by a button.

Repeat for the rest of your pattern weights.

Then, go forth and have your sewing life forever changed!

Happy Pattern Cutting!

For any of you who have ever been carefully trying to pin a pattern to your fabric and have had a little slippage and slideage and some holes and frustration, are smiling from ear to ear right now…right?!? These little pattern weights are so great and such a great tool to use while sewing. These would also be so great for all of you bow makers too to help hold your ribbon in place while creating those super adorable bows. Thank you Michaela for sharing these great little craft assistants. They are going to be very helpful for so many things!

Make sure to jump over to Covered in Mod Podge for more fun and inventive crafty projects by Michaela! This lady is super fun and super talented and here are a few of the fun projects she has shared with us…

What is your favorite sewing tool?

Happy Creating & Happy Pattern Weights!