How to Make a Yo-Yo

Start by deciding how big you want your finished Yo-Yo to be. Then create or find a circle approximately 2.5 times that size in diameter. Ex. For a finished Yo-Yo of 2", you will need a 5" circle (2" x 2.5 = 5").
I have found that an old cd works perfect as a Yo-Yo template.
Next, choose your fabric. You can make a Yo-Yo out of nearly any fabric (as they did initially with old clothes). However, light weight fabric makes the best Yo-Yo's because it bunches in the center more easily and creates a flat Yo-Yo. (All you fabric lovers out there had no idea Joann's fabric was often better for Yo-Yo making because of it's light-weight!)
Trace a few circles onto the fabric using fabric pens or pencils.
Next, cut out the circles.You will need a needle and thread that matches your fabric.

Thread the needle with 12"of thread and tie a knot in the end. If you have thicker, more durable thread or wish to double up the thread it will create a more lasting Yo-Yo. I typically use double thread.
Next start with the fabric circle facing good side down. About an 1/8th of an inch from the side stitch through the fabric and pull the knot tight on the inside if the fabric.
Fold over the side of the circle about 1/4" so your stitch is coming out of the fabric facing you and going back through the two pieces of fabric stitch again away from you.
Continue all the way around the circle, folding over the side and stitching up and down about 1/4" apart. Consistency is more important than the actual length. Too far apart or close and you could end up with a mountain in the center or a large center whole.
Once you're back to the start, holding the fabric close to your last stitch, pull the thread so the circle bunches in the middle (good side of fabric facing out).
Tie a few knots securing the thread to your desired scrunch. Again, the actual tightness doesn't matter as much as the consistency with all of your Yo-Yo's.
Clip the thread and push the Yo-Yo flat, I've seen some people flatten them with an iron.
Last, tie another knot in the thread and start again with a new fabric circle. Another 1,399 Yo-Yo's to go! (If you're making a coverlet)

Yo-Yo

Per wikipedia, "The Yo-Yo is a popular toy consisting of a length of string tied at one end to a flat spool. It is played by holding the free end of the string and pulling..." Wait, wait, wait, wrong Yo-Yo... Now those are the right ones!

The history of Yo-Yo's started somewhere between 1920 and 1940, or at least that is time period of their popularity. Which, interestingly enough, also corresponds with the US popularity of the modern day Yo-Yo toy (1930's and 1940's). Fabric Yo-Yo's are also called "Suffolk Puffs", "Pom Poms" or "Rosettes".
I believe that you rarely notice things in life until you have an experience or reason for noticing them. Like when you buy a new car; then you see that exact make and model everywhere! Did everyone, all of a sudden, run out and buy that specific car? Or perhaps, did you just not notice them before your purchase?
The same situation holds true for me and Yo-Yo's. I don't believe I'd ever seen a Yo-Yo until Spring of 2006 when I visited my in-laws house and was met by this most beautiful quilt!
Within a few years I saw it mentioned in a blog somewhere and for the first time, my fabric circle quilt had a name... "Yo-Yo"! And suddenly, I saw them everywhere; tutorials, online, and in blogs!In December of 2009 I decided I was going to make a Yo-Yo quilt, quite an undertaking if you consider the above quilt was made from roughly 1,400 Yo-Yo's. I thought 4 a day would be enough to finish the quilt in a year and then I could spend the following year assembling the monstrosity!

In January or February of 2010 I saw a quilt with Yo-Yo's stitched into it on the front cover of an LLBean catalog, followed by a pillowcase in Bed, Bath & Beyond with the same idea.
Were Yo-Yo's returning to popularity like leg warmers or retro shirts? In July 2010 there are hundreds of tutorials and many projects that incorporate those little round objects into their designs (see Oopsie the Octopus or this Pillow) and many of which are being commercially made .
Well let's just say I have somewhere around 400 Yo-Yo's complete, that's not 1,400, but nothing to shrug at either! The hardest part is separating the scraps I have used from the colors I haven't! In addition, my mother-in-law, inspired by the antique quilt and with a little help from her daughter-in-law also embarked on the Yo-Yo challenge. Her Yo-Yo template is about double the size of mine and therefore should make the process a little faster!

Below are some more photos of this quilt. It is my understanding this quilt was made sometime around 1940 by my husband's paternal great-grandmother and her friends. It is made with scraps of old clothes and serves as a coverlet for a full bed.
Little did they know how much this quilt would someday be cherished!

Yo-Yo tutorial to follow...