Yo-Yos and Couching: Two Easy-to-Do Embellishment Techniques

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Mary Ray, contributor

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A simple clutch becomes elegant with some very easy embellishment techniques.

Yo-yos add a retro quality to your design.

The Clover "Quick" Yo-Yo Maker is a must-have tool.

A simple clutch becomes elegant with some very easy embellishment techniques.

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The centers can be a little irregular, so it's nice to add a bead or a button, which makes a nice detail and covers up the hole at the same time.

Do some couching for added dimension.

Couching is simply sewing a heavy thread in place with a finer thread. It's a retro technique, too, that was originally done by hand, but it works beautifully by machine as well. I use a zigzag stitch to secure the heavy thread in place. And, if you have a cording foot—as I do with my Bernina—the foot guides the thread as you sew.

Couching secures a heavy thread to the fabric.

A cording foot guides the yarn for easy couching.

Simple techniques like this are very effective. But they can be addictive, too. Have fun!

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Comments (12)

nakpunar writes: Yoyo’s are great for Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations, or for dressing up your home for any occasion. You can use them to embellish napkin holders, frame decoration, ornaments, gift packages, pillow covers etc.

If you don't have time to make yoyo's for yourself, you can purchase finished yoyo's from my store.

http://www.ILoveYoYo.etsy.com

I welcome custom, wholesale and personalized orders!
Posted: 8:31 am on November 21st

lonesm writes: I can't believe they have a tool to make these flowers......I embellished a top and made the flowers by hand, it took no longer than a few hours to do. And that was before i discovered that their was an actual name for what i was doing. I saw a top that i liked in a shop for like AU$80, and there was no way i was paying that for something so simple, all up it cost me AU$6.20 to make the top.
Posted: 5:29 am on November 11th

ChristineDesigns writes: MaryRay, thanks for the reply! I've purchased both the small one shown in the picture & a larger one. The Yo-Yo makers make Yo-Yo making a breeze! It's a wonderful thing to do in the evenings while watching TV with my family. I've also made a good size dent in my scrap pile! Thanks so much for posting the article! :-D
Posted: 2:32 pm on October 15th

SWEEETBONBON writes: I LIKED YOUR YO YO PURSE SO MUCH I ORDERED THE YO YO MAKER TRIED DOING THEM BY HAND AND THEY TAKE SO LONG .. CANT WAIT TO GET MY CLOVER.... YOUR PURSE IS BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE VERY TALENTED

Posted: 8:18 am on September 22nd

Jrsjewels writes: Cute!
Posted: 9:03 pm on August 31st

MaryRay writes: Christine,
My yo-yo maker is a small. The yo-yos start out at 2 1/4 inches in diameter and end up 1 inch in diameter. The makers come in different sizes and different shapes, too.

With the yo-yo maker I have no trouble getting the edges smooth.
Posted: 10:17 am on August 22nd

sandycampsewing writes: I am also in love with yo-yos and have the yo-yo maker, which is a blessing! I have made my daughter-in-law a yo-yo belt and headband and most recently a purse, her girlfriends have asked if I could make them these also, what a compliment!
Posted: 10:10 pm on August 20th

Carolyninoz writes: I just recently bought a yoyo maker and find it so easy to make perfect little circles and now I have some new ideas of how to use them. Thank you for a great article.
Posted: 8:04 am on August 20th

iHanna writes: Never heared or clutching - oh what fun! Thanks for the tip! I've seen yoyo's around on the net but never tried those either. I think I need to try some! :-)

Great images in your tut!
Posted: 6:59 am on August 18th

ChristineDesigns writes: What size of yo-yo's are used in the picture? I've always made yo-yo's by hand. Thanks for showing me the Yo-Yo Maker! It looks like it might help speed up the process.
Posted: 12:45 pm on August 16th

SimplySis writes: This is absolutely stunning with its simplicity and great use of color. I make yo-yos while I am watching TV. I've had trouble getting my edges to be smooth and even. Do you have any hints??
Posted: 6:17 pm on August 9th

adornable writes: Excellent images and instructions. Thanks for introducing me to the Yoyo Maker!
Posted: 1:06 am on August 8th

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