WooHoo! I finished quilting (and binding!) the yoyo quilt. Too bad it only looks like this:
I’m so happy to finally have the quilting finished. I’d put it off for so long because I was afraid of that big grid in the middle. I thought it would be too easy to get it skewed into some odd shape. I’m sure the rows aren’t perfect, but the overall shape is good and I think it will be fine. I love the way the quilting looks on the back too.
So, now the fun of laying out the yoyos begins. This will be hard for me — I can overthink these things and be pretty indecisive. I decided the easiest way would be to throw all the yoyos into the air and see if they would sort themselves out.
That didn’t work (although PaulKitty thought it was a fun game) so I’ve sorted the yoyos into bowls by print.
Now I’m shuffling and arranging. And then, I’ll sew each yoyo (868 of them) onto the background by hand. There are many different ways that this quilt could have been done. I could have sewn each yoyo onto it’s own little square by machine (which would have been faster than by hand) and then pieced those squares together. But I couldn’t see quilting the quilt with all the yoyos on there. Much too bulky for my little domestic machine. And I can’t see machine stitching each yoyo on either — too much turning of the quilt with all that bulk. So, hand sewing it is. There’s still a. lot. of work left in this quilt. But I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
And the good thing is that I’ve finally found a use for that dumb basting gun that MeMum and I bought years ago. We hated it for basting, but I think it will come in handy to hold the yoyos in place while I’m hand stitching them down. The other option was to pin the yoyos down, but I could only see that ending with me being stabbed a lot by all those pins.
I’m off to go play some more with the yoyos now. I hope you’re having a good weekend!
XOXO,
Anna
Wow Anna, that seems such hard work but it is so going to be worth it , love the colours , beautiful , can’t wait to see it finished .
This is going to be fun, fun, fun! The final result, that is. lol
(Good idea re: the basting gun…)
love all those yoyo’s………..it’s going to look great…….have fun adding them all to the quilt………
Oh I can’t wait to see your progress. I have a bunch of yoyos but I don’t know what to do with them.
WOW. Back in the early 90’s I was making yo-yos. I could make 13 in an hour. Too funny.
I can’t wait to see it finished. Congrats.
This quilt is amazing….the quilting…the yoyos…fantastic
I love the quilt already since I’m partial to red. You’re inspiring me…I’ve got a bunch of yoyo’s just waiting to be sewn into something. Can’t wait to see it finished :)
Amy
xoxox
That basting gun idea is brilliant. I’ll have to remember that.
What a fun quilt! The quilting is gorgeous. I liked thing yo-yo fling idea, but I’m a fling it & wing it kind of person. It’s going to be wonderful.
Your quilting looks great! Love the yo-yos too! Great idea using the basting gun. Don’t even know where mine is! Miss you!
868 yoyos all to be sewn on by hand? I don’t envy you that at all, Anna. Good luck! :o)
The quilting looks terrific and the while quilt will look fantastic. I love it.
Anna, that quilt is going to be gorgeous, have a quilting bee with your quilty peeps!
Looks lovely, and great sue for the basting gun to boot. Do let us see a finish pic….
I love the quilt! Don’t think long on the placement of the yo yo’s. I can’t wait to see the final version.
I am IMPRESSED! Love it. xoxo
What a great way to make a yo-yo quilt! Your quilting looks terrific. Have fun placement playing!!
okay, okay, OKAY!!! you’ve convinced me that i ought to make a yoyo quilt because yours is soooo awesome … and you’ve also convinced me that i am NOT gonna EVER get around to making one cuz yours is soooo awesome!
The cable border is beautiful. I love the addition of all the yo, yo, yos. They look great. I hope you enjoy every min of the hand work on them.
A long time ago in a galaxy far away I made a yo yo quilt with just yo you, I still have it and I love it
Wow! That is going to look amazing when it is all finished!
Be honest…you sorted them into bowls because it made for a rather cute picture :o)
This is going to be gorgeous when you get all those yo-yos sewn down and using the basting gun is a brilliant idea! You’re on the home run now because with the quilting and binding all done, this is like the last step… :o)
Wowsers!
I love it!
I am also pointing and laughing. That is a LOT of work!
I have felt the pull of the yo-yo quilt for awhile (see what I did there?)
I can’t wait to see the finished project!
Wow, this is going to be absolutely divine! I can’t wait to see it finished. Good job with the quilting.
Ah, now I see why all the best quilters make yo-yos. It’s not for the wonderful texture or quaint design it adds to a quilt. No, it’s for an opportunity to throw a bunch them in the air and watch them fall willy-nilly onto the base quilt. Cool! Someday I hope to be a good quilter, also. *sigh*
I’m lovin’ watchin’ your quilt come together. The stitching on the quilt is really beautiful.
I think it will be beautiful!
That quilt is going to be AMAZING! I can’t wait to see it when you are finished. Beautiful!
IT’s turning out beautifully! ;p
forgot to ask: can i have it when it’s done?! ;p
The quilt is going to be fabulous! Good idea with the basting gun ….. it made me think that if I had one, it would be good for holding applique pieces in place …….
Your quilting looks great. I love your first attempt to organize them, lol!
Great idea to use the basting gun.
Have fun playing with the yoyos!
Hi, actually Frannie is going into 7th grade – she played for the incoming 6th – how’s that possible? I’m only 39. I just love this quilt – I’ve never seen one like it – and it really makes a lot of sense in terms of being functional. Do you actually use your quilts when they’re completed?
Your quilt is going to be lovely! I was wary at first when you mentioned a yo-yo quilt because I thought it was going to be one of those flimsy holey-things where the yo-yos are just sewn together. Your quilted panel is fabulous and I love the fabrics you have used for your yo-yos! Lucy xx
Oh smacks Ms. Anna – that quilt is going to rock the house. Gorgeous it will be and WOW that’s a lot of yo yo’s lol. Can’t wait to see it finished – a true family treasure. We use a basting gun like that at quilt market for hanging the quilts on the curtains – even can hold a bra strap in place when your in a pinch lol – I speak from experience as the baster – not the bastee lol.
Hugs – Mrs. Farmhouse
Miss Anna, you make the most beautiful quilts. I love your design and use of yo-yos. I’m not a big fan of them but this is probably the best yo-yo quilt I’ve seen. Your color combo is a favorite of mine. I’m in awe of your dedication to that great number. Can’t wait to see it finished.
Wow. That is just amazing. It looks wonderful already. Can’t wait to see it after you’ve done all the hand work. And I do love to find a use for those little gadgets that seem to find their way home with me.
As usual, I love it! Don’t you feel rich with all of those yo-yos? I’ve been doing some English Paper Piecing and have seen women with hundreds of completed hexagons all arranged in color shades. Oh so envious. Am down to about 2 wks to finish all boxes in house as my sis arrives on the 22nd. So after she leaves I should be guilt-free to work on projects alot. It will be so fun to play freely. Might be a little crippled from bending and finding places for everything but at least it will be done. Will be interested to see your next project – I’m sure you have some in progress (I always have plenty WIP). Rock on you prolific project queen….be well my friend.
I’m speechless! 868
The quilting in those borders is gorgeous! How many yo-yos? I’d be seeing stars! What an ambitious quilt. But then we expect perfection from you Anna!
Oh my goodness – the work! But it is going to be spectacular.
Oh I am definitely going to love this….it will be one of my new favorites!! Love all your yoyo’s and that quilting is wonderful.
Safety pins? Luv the snow, don’t miss it though
What a sweet quilt your yo-yo quilt will be. I love everything about it and I don’t typically love yo-yo quilts…lol. I applaud you for sticking to it, it’s alot of work, but SO worth it!
Love the quilting! Way to go! How is that basting gun working for you? Is it easier for you to sew the yoyos? Just curious! Lovely project you have going on! Cheers!
You could be dangerous with that gun in your hand. Better hide that thing!! lolol
I’m not sure I would want to make all those yo yo’s but I can’t wait to see your quilt all finished.
Looks great. I would do it by hand, too. What about using Roxanne’s glue basting to hold those yo-yos in place? That would work, too!