Yo-Yo Quilt Overshirt - S/M

One of one · Early 20th century · American

Provenance

Cut from an American yo-yo quilt composed of hundreds of one-inch fabric rosettes, each formed and joined by hand. Yo-yo quilts were often made from saved dressmaking scraps, worn garments, and remnants accumulated within the home. The result is a textile record of everyday American cloth—each fragment preserving its own color, pattern, and former life.

The Making

To create each yo-yo, a small circle of fabric was cut, its edge turned inward, and a running stitch sewn around the circumference. The thread was then pulled tightly to gather the cloth into a rosette before it was individually stitched to its neighbors. At only one inch across, the yo-yos in this textile required exceptional patience and precision. Hundreds of separate acts of cutting, gathering, and joining were needed to build the complete surface by hand.

The Garment

Vintage-inspired fit with dropped shoulders. The open construction of the original quilt creates a richly dimensional surface while allowing glimpses of the layer beneath. Because the garment is cut from a single handmade antique textile, its arrangement of colors and prints can never be repeated.

Fit and Measurements

Size S/M
Chest circumference: 43"
Shoulder: 18.25"
Front length: 25"