Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

Erlina & Huong’s fabric pumpkin stall last year

In a country where pumpkins can cost you $100 or more, it’s important to be able to find other ways of getting pumpkins when you need to. Fabric pumpkins can be such a great alternative to the real thing not only because they’re long-lasting, but you can easily make new ones to reflect the theme of the season!

If you live in Dhahran and stopped by Caravan of Crafts this fall, you may remember the fabulous fabric pumpkins that my good friends, Erlina and Huong, were selling! I was so impressed by their work that I asked them to let me photograph and document their entire process in a pumpkin tutorial just for my readers.

2019 UPDATE – If you’re interested in purchasing some fabric pumpkins instead, please message Erlina through the contact information at the bottom of the post as she won’t be selling these at any events this year!

Supplies

• A small piece of fabric cut out in a rectangle, IE: twice as long as it is wide, 5″ x 10″ or 7″ x 14″
• A large needle & thread, thick enough to be able to sew through your fabric
• Filling
• Twine
• Sewing Machine (optional)

Step 1

Fold over the back side of your fabric so that the short sides meet. Sew a line of stitches on the short side with a sewing machine (or sew it by hand).

Step 2

Then sew along one end of the fabric and pull the thread to draw fabric together. Close it off with multiple stitches as it needs to be closed securely.

Step 3

Turn the fabric right side out so that the pattern is visible (the other short side should still be unstitched). Make sure that all of your stitching is secure enough so that you’re ready for the next step – the filling!

Step 4

Stuff your pouch with the filling, and fill it up as high as you’d like your pumpkin to go. This may take you a few tries to get perfect!

Step 5

Gather the remaining fabric on the top, and using twine, tie it securely with a knot. Don’t cut off the remaining twine yet, as it will be used to wrap the ridges.

Step 6

Wrap the remaining twine around the pumpkin to create ridges – around 6-12 ridges depending on how big and how wide your pumpkin is. If you need to cut the twine, make sure to keep a long string of it. We’re going to use that for the stem!

Make sure to go through the twine at the top when creating the ridges. Keep adjusting the fabric as you go along by tightening or loosening the twine so that you get them looking perfect!

Step 7

Once you’ve created all of your ridges, start wrapping the remaining twine around the extra fabric at the top so that you can make a stem.

Step 8

Once you’re done wrapping, knot the twine at the top and tuck in or cut off the extra pieces. You can also cut off any extra fabric at the top.

And voila – now you have some damn cute pumpkins to decorate your home with! Thanks SO much to Erlina and Huong for this super useful tutorial, and I hope you can get some done in time for Thanksgiving!!

If you’re interested in purchasing these pumpkins instead of making them yourself, please send Erlina Kim a message on

Facebook, Instagram or via email: erlinakim@gmail.com  

Also check out my Fall Tablescape post where I show you how you can use these adorable fabric pumpkins…