Michael's Knock-off Pumpkins

A couple weeks ago I was browsing around in Michael's with my sis-in-law, when I spotted some cute fabric pumpkins. I studied them for a while and then decided to try to recreate them myself...but with my own twist of course!

Whaddya think? Wanna learn how?

Well, good! Cause I'm gonna show you.

The first step is an obvious one...pick your fabric!

I have had this suede coat laying in my fabric tote for years...I haven't been able to bring myself to get rid of it. Mainly, I think, because it represents my slimmer old single self from years ago when I had time to care what I looked like...long before the days of gym pants and sweatshirts smeared with boogers and dissolved goldfish crackers (from my toddlers, not me, in case you were wondering).

Well, I thought it permissible now to cut it up and recreate into a pumpkin...I'm all about recycling my old stuff, remember?!

The next step is to make your template. I'm sorry I'm just not computer savvy enough to figure out how to make a downloadable one for you, but really it would take you the same amount of time to make your own as it would to print one off.

Get some stiff paper, or use a file folder, like I did, and decide the length you want to make your strips. The template in this picture is for a medium sized pumpkin at 9.5 inches long.

Measure, mark, cut. Easy peasy.

Then decide the width. Mine is 6.5 inches.

Measure, mark, cut. Easy peasy.

Now fold your rectangle in half and round the corners somewhat similar to this picture.

It's really not that fussy, so don't stress over it!

Here's an example of the three templates I made. The smallest is 7.5" long by 4.75" wide,

the medium is 9.5" x 6.5", the largest is 11.5" x 5".

So you can see that there is no "rule"...just cut!

Pin your template down and cut out six pieces.

On cottons and similar fabrics, you can do an accordion fold and cut out several pieces at once.

Since I was cutting out from a coat, that wasn't an option here.

Since suede has a "nap", I made sure to lay the pieces out with the nap going in the same direction.

Same goes for corduroy and velvet.

Now lay the "right" sides together and stitch up one side. Secure the thread on the bottom, but leave the tails at the top without securing, so that you can gather the fabric later. I hand stitched this pumpkin because of the suede, but using a sewing machine would be much faster and easier!

Just make sure the stitch length is at the longest setting.

And by the way...yes, I DO wipe down my table several times a day, but you sure wouldn't know it by all the fuzz in this picture! Gaaak!

Stitch all your panels together until you end up with a tube like the one in the pic.

Then stitch and gather the bottom of your tube. Gather it together as tightly as possible.

Now you'll start to see your pumpkin taking shape!

Just a side note, but if you're working with a fabric like suede, I highly recommend using upholstery thread and a thimble. Your fingers will thank me later!

You could also use it for corduroy...it'll make your life a little easier!

Now start gathering the seams on the panels.

Pull on the thread until you get the amount of gathering you prefer and fasten off the thread.

Try to keep all the gathered seams even.

Stuff your pumpkin, making sure you get lots of batting into those little "pockets".

I like to cut pieces of batting and stuff them into the little sections to get them nice and plump,

 then I add more to the center. Make sense?!

Now stitch and gather the top of the pumpkin and secure it.

Here's the really fun part where you get to finish off and embellish the pumpkin!

There are sooo many different ways to create a stem for your pumpkin...just look through Pinterest and you'll get at least 50 different ideas. I decided to use a piece of twig from our tree out back.

I just cut it down to the size I wanted, and it was ready to go!

Whatever you decide to use, hot glue it into place over the hole on the top of the pumpkin.

Next, I picked off some velvety leaves (big, fat heart these!) from a stem I bought at Michael's.

You can use whatever tickles your fancy though. Be creative and have fun!

Hot glue it all together with some berries and you're done!

Now wasn't that fun?!

(hey, that rhymed)

Here's a closeup of the smallest pumpkin made out of a cotton blend...

...and of the largest, made out of hubby's old corduroy pants!

(Apparently we both have hoarding issues.) 

This one is my absolute favorite. Corduroy just screams "Fall" to me!

Love.

Happy Fall decorating!!

I can't wait to show you the rest of what I've been working on around here!

Are you linking up to this party?

I am!
 Hope I'll see you there too!!!

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To see other great parties I'm linking up to, click HERE!