Sewing 101: Yoyo Tank Tute Part 1

I finally got this tute done.  What's funny is that this top is really quick and easy to put together, but I've got a cold and have felt drunk almost this whole past week, only it's not been fun like being actually drunk can be.

So, in part 1 we will be making the Yo Yo Yoke, and in part two we will make the shirt and attach the two together. 

Also, whenever I say YoYo Yoke I always think of the Salt N Pepa song "Push It" where she goes "Yo yo yo yo baby pa, yeah you, come here give me a kiss.  Better make it fast or else I'm gonna get pissed."  Oh Pepa, words of a generation I tell ya.

Again, I used THIS tutorial from Heather Ross to make my yoyos.  I used three different fabrics this time; one dark green, one print, and one white muslin.  I wanted there to be mostly white and the light print, and have a few pops of the dark green.  I'm making this top for my girlfriend and she loves olive green, so that's why I chose these colors.  I'd really, really love to make this with some red yoyos.

I made 18 small yoyos using 2" circles, 8 large yoyos using 6" circles, and 8 medium yoyos using 4" circles.  I used a candlestick, teacup saucer, and coffee cup lip to trace a bunch of circles on to my fabric, then I cut them out & sewed them.  I think these sizes work really well, but you can of course use whatever sizes float your boat.

Next, take your yoyos and lay them out in a circular shape until you get the right balance of colors.

Next, cut out your shirt.  You can use either a knit or a woven, which rocks.  Sometimes I notice even my Martha hates to sew a knit, so a white muslin would be great for this top.

I used a pattern I'd made based on a little dress I bought from H&M, but THIS pattern from Burda would work great too.  It's free!  I'd only use piece #1 for the front and the back.

Depending on the thinness of your fabric, cut either one layer or two.  I cut two for my top because this knit is thiiiiiiiiiin.

See?  Even folded in half you can still see the grid lines of my Dritz Superboard.  Thin, thin.

Now all your stuff is ready to assemble, so move your lovely circle of yo yos onto a cutting board and take it into the living room so you can sew thm all together while watching Star Wars.  To sew them together, just grab two yo yos and place them backsides together

Grab your needle & thread (I used two pieces of embroidery floss), and put your needle through one of the yo yos

then pull the knot into the yo yo.

Next, just whip-stitch a few times to secure the two yo yos together.

Secure the yo yos at each point they touch.

Now do this 1,358 times until they're all attached to one another.

Your yo yo yoke is done!

Also, Darth Vader is Luke's father.  Hate to spoil it for you.

Part Two of the tutorial is coming tomorrow!!!

xoxo,