A big part of what I love about October is making fall related crafts. These pumpkins are very simple, very quick and very easy. There is a good chance you actually have all the pieces you need just lying around the house. One of the nice things about this craft it is it is not very expensive but, makes a big impact.

First step is to gather the supplies. I always grab the fabric first for this to make sure I have enough. You can use any fabric you want but my preference is super bulky funky fabric. Like furry or something else with a bold texture. The thicker fabric just makes them turn out cooler. I picked some from my collection and had a great time at the fabric store to find the other ones.

You’ll also need to gather some sticks. I grabbed ones that were just lying about the yard. I prefer thicker ones but it all depends on the size your pumpkins come out. It’s good to have a variety. Different fabrics look better with different thicknesses irrelevant of size of pumpkin.

You also need to make sure you have something to cut them with. These are my favorite scissor. They are Leatherman Raptors. DB got them for me for Christmas a couple years ago. They fold which is a great novelty and come with a belt holster. They are actually made by Leatherman for paramedics so they are super sharp, have a seatbelt cutter and a little pokey thing that breaks glass. I love that they are a multi tool. There is so many things you can do with them that my children call them the Magic Scissors.

The next thing you need is templates. The easiest template comes from your kitchen cupboard. You already have it. Plates. Grab a few different sizes to make them more interesting.

The next thing you need is a water erasable pen or some chalk. I prefer the water erasable pen. The one I use is this one. The color is bright enough that there will be no question where the cutline is. It can be challenging with thicker and more textured fabrics. In a pinch caulk works that’s what my mother used, That’s what my grandmother used and I’m sure her grandmother used but the water erasable pen just works better especially if your fabrics white.

The last thing you need is stuffing. I prefer using just regular stuffing. Nothing fancy is needed. What I happen to have on hand is poly. It keeps its’ shape super well under different temperature conditions and is very squish able (so necessary for this project).
… And a needle and thread. The color of the thread doesn’t have to perfectly match the pumpkin it’ll be tucked away so you won’t be able to see it either way.
To begin roll and flatten the cloth out (if wrinkled iron). I always start in one corner and go from there that way you can optimize class for your project.

Trace the plate with your water erasable pen.

Cut out the circle (preferably with your equivalent of magic scissors) then, begin sewing.

Thread the needle with enough thread to go around what will look like 2/3rds of it’s way around. After you thread your needle pick a spot and go all the way in keeping in mind that the less even stitches the better. If the pumpkin is too even it will look artificial and strange.

Sharpie for scale of stitch evenness. Just go for it.

This far in is the best place to remove the water erasable pen. Use a damp cloth‘s to gently pat where the line is. I left mine so it would be easier to see what I was doing in the final stages of sewing with white on white.

Stuff the pumpkin and pull the thread tight.

To finish so an X on the top gathering as tight as possible then tie off the stitch and cut the thread as close to the quick as you can.

Squeeze gently a few times to even out the stuffing.

I like waiting till the end to decide what thickness my stem should be because I don’t know exactly how the pumpkins going to look until the end.

For this one I want kind of a thick one so i’m going to pick the perfect knot on the stick then, take my magic scissors and cut.

Last step I  poke a little hole with my finger where the stitch was trussed at the end and insert the stem.

Voila. Fancy pumpkin. Enjoy.

These are so fun and easy to make I went and made some from a few other different fabrics. It’s a tossup whether the green fur or the white one is my favorite but, I can’t say enough about how much I love this project.

Did you have fun making this craft? Post your photos. Leave a comment. I love feedback. Tell me what you think.

Enjoy. Life is too short.