DIY Tutorial: Fabric Pumpkins

I am delighted to welcome back Andrea Pittam from Kiss the Frog to the blog today. Andrea is a photographer as well as crafter and has already shown us how to make these cute Paper Birdcages as well as this Bubble Blower, and the ever popular bunting. As it is Halloween on Thursday Andrea is gong to show us how to make these super cute fabric pumpkins. These Pumpkins are easy to make and can be made in any colour you want to go alongside your Halloween decorations. Maybe you are having a Halloween themed wedding, or want to add some new ideas to your autumn themed wedding, well these pumpkins are simply perfect for you.

• The proportions for the fabric are twice the width of the height.  For this pumpkin two pieces of fabric each measuring 25cm high and 50cm wide were used.  You can make larger or smaller pumpkins using these proportions.

STEP 1) Place the fabric wrong sides together and machine sew both the shorter sides.  You can hand sew the sides if you don’t have a sewing machine.

STEP 2) Using a needle and strong thread (if you have enough the embroidery thread is a good option) sew running stitch across one of the long sides, then pull the thread to gather and turn the fabric so the right side is on the outside.

STEP 3) Sew running stitch, as before around the top of the pumpkin.  If you use a long piece of thread you can tie the ends together so it doesn’t slide out of place while you are stuffing the pumpkin.

STEP 4) Next thread the embroidery thread onto an embroidery needle and pass down the centre of the pumpkin coming out at the bottom.  You need to do this approximately seven times and space the thread equally around the pumpkin.  When you have finished you need to pull the thread so it creates the lines and ridges you find on a pumpkin.  Tie off the thread when you have finished.

STEP 5) Finally, insert the stick through the centre of the pumpkin and decorate with ribbons, strings of beads or anything else that inspires you or matches your decorating scheme.