My first tutorial -Making my version of the Yoyo Flower

A few friends have been asking me on how to make the yo-yo flower I use as embellishments. Since I have benefited a lot from online craft tutorials I have decided to show how they are made.



Step one is to make a few yo-yo balls




Make a round template for the five petals. In this tutorial, the template is 6cm in diameter. This would make a petal roughly 3cm in diameter.



Cut 5 round shapes from the fabric. In this I used scraps of rayons.



Fold the edge of the circle and sew the outline. Make sure you make a knot first at the end of the thread.





Pull the thread till the edges bunch up but do not let the hole close up.



Fill the hole with stuffing - kapok or sponge till full.



Then pull the thread and close the hole with a knot.




Make another smaller yo-yo ball using a 5cm circle for the centre of the flower. Use a contrasting fabric. In this example I used cream colored fabric.



You will end up with 5 big yo-yo balls and one smaller one.



String up the large yo-yo's and tie them together. Run a few threads around the petals at the base to make the thread stronger



Attach the smaller yo-yo to the centre and sew it on.




This is the end product - a yo-yo flower.

Pencil Holder - A Makeover

I enjoy making stuff from recycled items. So I decided to make a pencil holder from an empty tin can and scrap cloth. This is the outcome


The finished product. Next time I will put some embellishments making it more unique. I know this can be made using paper but I love the feeling and the texture of cloth:)



Before the makeover

Handmade Hairclip

Saw a tutorial on how to make Kanzashi flowers about a month ago (here). Used some to embellish my bags but today decided to do some hair clips for myself. Anyway, one of the clips got hijacked by my sis :)


Blue polka dot clip. In the photo is a 50 sen coin to compare the size. At the back, I sewed the flower on the clip and also glued felt to the back to hide the stitches



The 2nd clip


The clips on my model. Thanks sis.

Pink Drawstring Bag

Made this for a dear friend of mine.



The inspiration came from these prints which I got at Nagoya (the fabric shop). I think now I have to join Nagoya Anonymous as I have been spending a lot of time (and money) every time I pass by the shop.




Anyway, the bag is sized 20cm x 14 cm. I used satin ribbons as the drawstring. I made yo-yo flowers as embellishments




The insides are lined with plain cotton. The reason why I used a lining is to hide the imperfections of my stitching plus the material I use is quite thin therefore the lining provides extra strength.

Hope she like it.

More stuff for charity

Row of flowers for sale


Close up of one of the hair tie.



Really hope people would buy this.

Bags For Charity

My dearest friend is working for the National Cancer Society and has been part of the organising team for Relay for Life.



Last year we joined in the crowd in the activities organised. This year I thought I would do something different. I made some crafts for the association to sell. All proceeds goes to the Relay for Life fund.

I made tote bags, handphone pouches and handphone charms. I hope they sell (fingers crossed)

I hope people would attend the event as it shows our support and empathy to cancer patients, survivors and their families.

For more information on Relay for Life, visit the National Cancer Society website (here)

Fabric Flower Handphone Charm

My yo-yo flower phase is still not over. I made a lot to be used as embellishments for my bags. The process got easier when my uncle sent me the Clover Yo-Yo Maker. However, the bags and pouches are still not ready since I was busy with work.

But I managed to squeeze in a mini project with smaller flowers I made. Below are two handphone charms I made from the yo-yos. I think they look cute! Btw, each flower is about 3cm in diameter.