The small, gathered circles of fabric known as yo-yos, or sometimes fabric puffs or Suffolk Puffs, offer a uniquely charming and whimsical approach to creating quilts. Imagine stitching together these playful elements, often made from treasured fabric scraps, to form a quilt with delightful texture and dimension. Yo-yo quilts carry a lovely sense of nostalgia and resourcefulness, reminiscent of times when quilters thoughtfully used every bit of fabric.
We’ve gathered a collection of inspiring yo-yo quilt patterns, or fabric puff patterns, to spark your creative joy. You’ll find designs ranging from simple, all-over arrangements to more intricate layouts that incorporate traditional quilt blocks.
Free Yo-Yo Quilt Patterns – Top Picks
1. Free Quilt Pattern: Mad For Yo-Yo’s Quilt Pattern
Indulge your love for fabric circles with the Mad For Yo-Yo’s Quilt Pattern by Vickie E. This pattern is wonderfully Charm Pack friendly, making it easy to select a variety of coordinating fabrics for your yo-yos. Following the step-by-step guide with photos, you’ll find the process straightforward and enjoyable.
The finished piece measures 18.5 inches X 21 inches, a perfect small size for a doll quilt, table decor, wall hanging, or room accent. Creating a multitude of yo-yos is a satisfying way to bring this pattern to life. Arranging many yo-yos together creates a wonderfully charming and textured surface.
2. Free Quilt Block Pattern: Yo-Yo Block
Master the simple and adorable yo-yo technique with this versatile Quilt Block Pattern by Lauren Wright of Molly and Mama. Creating these fabric yo-yos (also known as Suffolk Puffs) is easy and the finished results are so cute. It’s a fantastic pattern for using up all those small fabric scraps you’ve been saving. A downloadable template is provided to help you create your circles accurately.
These charming yo-yos can be used on all sorts of projects, adding a delightful dimensional touch. The simple, gathered shape of the yo-yo makes it a universally appealing embellishment.
3. Free Quilt Pattern: Gather ‘Round Pillow
Add a sweet, handmade accent to your home decor with the Gather ‘Round Pillow Quilt Pattern by Lesley Mehmen. This pattern is designed specifically for creating a charming pillow top, finishing at a neat 9″ square. It features delightful fabric yo-yos that cluster together, adding texture and visual interest to the surface.
The pattern thoughtfully includes instructions for two different methods to create the yo-yo block, allowing you to choose your preferred technique. This little pillow is a perfect project for showcasing a collection of pretty fabrics.
4. Free Quilt Pattern: Yo-Yo Stocking
Bring a burst of cheery color to your holiday decor with the festive Yo-Yo Stocking Quilt Pattern by Linda Lum DeBono. Easy-to-make yo-yos are applied to a stocking shape, creating a playful and vibrant seasonal accent. The finished stocking measures a generous 12″ x 23″, providing ample space for Santa’s goodies.
Each yo-yo adds a little pop of fabric and texture to the design, making the stocking wonderfully tactile. This cheerful yo-yo stocking is sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.
5. Free Quilt Pattern: Scrappy Yo-Yo
Turn your diverse collection of fabric scraps into a stunning project with the Scrappy Yo-Yo Quilt Pattern by Prairie Moon Quilts. This pattern is a fantastic idea for using up scraps of every kind, giving new life to cherished fabric remnants. It creates a generously sized queen-sized quilt, finishing at 87″ x 100″.
Following the step-by-step guide complete with photos, you can bring this large-scale scrappy vision to life. The finished quilt is quite an heirloom, filled with memories represented by each unique scrap. The sheer variety of fabrics creates a wonderfully rich and textured visual surface.
6. Free Quilt Block Pattern: Spring Posies Block
Learn a simple and basic technique with the Spring Posies Quilt Block Pattern by Becky of Patchwork Posse. This pattern focuses on how to Applique Yo-yo’s, making it a perfect way to get your feet wet with both yo-yos and appliqué. The finished quilt block is around 10″ or so, a manageable size for a block project.
The center of the quilt block is put on point, a design choice that gives the posie stems a little bit more space to appear long. This block is a charming way to add dimensional fabric flowers to your quilting.
7. Free Quilt Pattern: Beginner Yo-Yo!
Start your yo-yo journey with confidence using the Beginner Yo-Yo! Quilt Pattern by Linda of Buzzing and Bumbling. This pattern is specifically designed as a great beginner project for those new to making fabric yo-yos. It guides you through creating a simple coverlet, perfect for learning the technique.
Following the step-by-step guide complete with photos, you’ll find the process accessible and enjoyable from start to finish. This simple coverlet is a satisfying first project into the world of yo-yo quilting.
8. Free Quilt Pattern: Yo-Yo Coverlet
Create a charming small coverlet using the Yo-Yo Coverlet Quilt Pattern by Purl Soho. This pattern finishes at a manageable size of 16″ by 20″, perfect for a decorative accent piece. Following the step-by-step guide complete with photos, you can easily construct this lovely coverlet.
It’s an ideal project for practicing your yo-yo making skills on a smaller scale before tackling larger quilts. The assembled yo-yos create a wonderfully textured and visually appealing surface on this small coverlet.
BONUS Yo-Yo Quilt Patterns For Sale from Online Shops
The Yoyo Garden Quilt Pattern by Karen West Quilt Studio offers a fun and imaginative way to bring a garden scene to life in fabric. Dimensional yo-yos in multiple sizes form the playful blossoms that pop off the surface of this cheerful wall hanging. Stems and leaves are added with easy fusible appliqué, giving structure and movement to the design.
The finished piece measures just 12″ x 15″, making it a manageable project with eye-catching results. Templates and step-by-step instructions are included to guide quilters through every stage. This pattern is a joyful celebration of texture, shape, and creativity—perfect for brightening any space.
2. Fruit Cocktail Quilt Pattern (Physical Pattern For Sale)
The Fruit Cocktail Quilt Pattern by Marcia Layton Designs brings a fun and fresh look to kitchen linens. Playful fruit shapes are combined with dimensional yo-yo accents to add texture and personality to everyday items. The motifs are created using hand or machine appliqué, making the pattern accessible to a range of skill levels.
Fabric yo-yos give each piece a charming, handcrafted feel that stands out. These embellished tea towels and small projects make thoughtful, hard-to-find gifts. With clear instructions included, it’s a creative way to dress up your kitchen or share a bit of homemade cheer.
3. Grandma’s Yo-Yo Garden Quilt Pattern (Physical Pattern For Sale)
Stitch a sweet garden scene reminiscent of simpler times with Grandma’s Yo-Yo Garden Quilt Pattern by Piecemakers. This pattern features a central appliqued scene depicting a charming house with a fence and a garden in front. Dimensional yo-yos are incorporated into the design to create delightful blooming flowers in the garden bed.
Appliqued stems and leaves complete the whimsical floral arrangement around the house. A pieced border frames the central applique panel, adding another layer of design. This 21″ x 21″ wall hanger pattern focuses on basic applique, perfect for adding a handmade touch to your decor that evokes nostalgic feelings.
4. Floral Block Sampler Quilt Pattern (Physical Pattern For Sale)
Explore a unique sampler style with the Floral Block Sampler Quilt Pattern by Audrey Good and Cheri Maniz. This pattern creates a quilt featuring a variety of pieced horizontal rows, showcasing different block or strip styles. Central rows in the quilt are charmingly embellished with appliquéd yo-yo circles, adding dimensional accents.
This blend of traditional piecing for the rows and yo-yo embellishment creates a visually interesting quilt. Conveniently jelly roll and fat quarter friendly, this pattern makes fabric selection and cutting a breeze for the different row styles. The finished 54″ x 54″ quilt is a versatile size for a throw or lap quilt.
5. Yellow Buttercups Quilt Pattern (Physical Pattern For Sale)
Bring the cheerful look of buttercups into your home with the Yellow Buttercups Quilt Pattern by Marian Gallian of Pink Hippo Quilts. This unique pattern features appliquéd buttercups, each with a dimensional yo-yo center, giving them a lifelike quality. A winding vine motif adds another layer of design, traveling around columns on the side of the quilt, making it visually distinctive.
Finishing at a size of 58″ by 58″, it’s a lovely lap quilt, perfect for cozying up. The combination of appliqué, yo-yo centers, and the winding vine creates a truly unique floral quilt design.
6. Lounge Around Pillows Quilt Pattern (Physical Pattern For Sale)
Create cozy and decorative pillows with a touch of dimensional charm using the Lounge Around Pillows Quilt Pattern by Lynne Wilson Design of Sew So Patchwork. This pattern guides you in creating fabric yo-yos in two different sizes to add unique embellishments. You’ll complete the pillows using some simple machine piecing and quilting techniques, combining different skills.
Instructions are included for both a square pillow measuring 21″ x 21″ and a rectangular pillow at 27″ x 17″. The combination of yo-yos, simple piecing, and quilting results in comfortable and visually appealing pillows perfect for lounging.
Here Are More Yo-Yo Quilt Ideas For Inspiration
Dimensional yo-yo flowers burst with color and pattern, artfully arranged in a striking black and white appliquéd vase.
Countless colorful fabric yo-yos gather to form a stunning diamond-patterned quilt, showcasing a delightful array of vintage prints.
An incredible multitude of handcrafted yo-yos forms this richly textured and colorful bed covering.
Muted floral and patterned fabrics form intricate cross designs, each highlighted by a carefully crafted yo-yo at its heart.
Cheerful, patterned yo-yos create a delightful burst of color and texture on this charming tote bag.
An impressive collection of handcrafted yo-yos, each a unique fabric gem, comes together to form this expansive textile piece.
Sweetheart red and crisp white yo-yos dance across the quilted background, offering a feast of pattern and texture.
Vintage charm blossoms from this yo-yo quilt, where groups of patterned circles form lovely, dimensional flower designs.
Warm yellows and creams create a serene focal point in this yo-yo quilt, bordered by an explosion of multicolored, patterned circles.
Each block in this yo-yo creation is a vibrant celebration of color, showcasing meticulous arrangements of patterned fabric circles.
Creating yo-yo quilts, or fabric puff quilts, is a wonderfully tactile and visually interesting way to craft something truly unique and charming. These projects are perfect for giving new life to small fabric pieces and adding a touch of vintage whimsy to your home. Whether you choose a vibrant, scrappy aesthetic or a more coordinated and elegant feel, a yo-yo quilt is sure to be a special handmade item that sparks conversation.
We hope this curated collection has inspired you to dive into your own yo-yo quilting adventure. So, gather those fabric scraps, embrace the simple joy of gathering fabric, and stitch together a quilt filled with playful texture! Happy crafting!
