Thursday, September 10, 2009

How To: make stuffed pumpkins




posting on the DIY fall show off!



(if you like these pumpkins be sure to enter into the giveaway!)

Skill Level:
Easy

Time:
30 minutes or less
Supplies needed:
  • up to a yard of your favorite fabric ( I like a light cotton with a fall colored print)
  • contrasting (but coordinating) embroidery floss
  • dental floss
  • quilting needle
  • scissors
  • floral wire (and something to wrap it around, a pen or chopstick or something)
  • fake leaves (grape or ivy leaves work well)
  • glue gun with glue stick
  • stuffing (old pillows work great, or of course poly fil)
  • small stump (slice of a branch or twig)
Lay out you fabric and cut it into a square. I started with a yard and folded it over. I ended up making it smaller though, about a 2 foot square. Start cutting, I cut a few inches and tear it the rest of the way. Thread your dental floss through your quilting needle and tear off a looooooooong piece (I would guess about 4 feet long, depending on the size of your pumpkin). Take the ends together and tie a knot, tie several more knots over this one to make sure it is very strong and tight . Now, start at a midpoint in your fabric, about a quarter inch from the edge and begin going in and out. I am not sure what this stitch is called, maybe a gathering stitch? Do this around all four edges and gather loosely as you go. Once you get to the starting point again loop through the beginning. Just in front of the knot, and between the two pieces of floss. Does that make sense? Don't tie off just yet, and don't gather it tightly yet. This is what it will look like at this point. Now we begin stuffing. You want to stuff this FULL, as full as you can make it. Pay special attention to the corners. You will need to tighten as you do this, and it can be a little tough. Once it is full you can begin stitching it closed. I go back and forth both ways a few times. Then tie it off and cut it. Now pull out your embroidery floss. You will need a lot of this, depending on the size you make yours. For this one, I think I used about 2/3 of the thread. find the middle of your thread and PULL it diagonally over two 'bumps'. Then while holding the thread flip over your pumpkin. You will need to pull this VERY tightly so as to make it look pumpkin-like, be careful not to do it too tightly or your thread will break. Cross your thread over itself and onto the other two 'bumps'. Again, very tightly. Flip it over again. Cross them again, this time going in the 'creases'. Flip upside down again and cross them UNDERNEATH the previous pieces. This way they pull together in a group and kinda make a * shape on the bottom of the pumpkin. Make sure the thread is in the last two 'creases' and flip back over so the pumpkin is right side up. Once everything is tightened to your liking, tie it off and cut your thread. It should look like this right now. Don't worry if it looks lopsided or imperfect. It simply adds to it's cuteness! Now, take a piece of the floral wire and twist it around something, I used a chopstick, but it could be a pen or anything that you have handy. Feel free to do more than one piece if you want to. Figure out where you will want your wire, leaves and stump to go before you glue. Then glue them on and you are done!

11 comments:

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

those are awesome! I'm happy you linked up. I'm going to have to check back here often. Check back on my sites for more link-ups!

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

This is VERY clever. I may have to try this.

Unknown said...

how cute! I've never seen this and I love it. I can't wait to try it. Thank you!

Blondie said...

These are caaaaute! I can't wait to try my hand at some of these. I may have to make some this weekend with my daughter.

And thanks so much for the bookcase instructions! After we get new carpet, I may paint the bookshelves before they go back in the gameroom.

Must. Get. To. Fabric. Store.

Mandy said...

Cute! I'll have to try making these with my daughter - she would love them!

Lauren said...

Your stuffed pumpkins look great! I would love to try!

Thanks for visiting my blog! The ghost garland was just so easy and fun! I bought 1 yard of each fabric and just folded it up a few times. I didn't measure. I just cut through as much fabric that I could w/o it being too difficult. Some of my strips weren't even super straight, but I pushed all of they strips so tight on the garland, that you cannot even notice! I think I am going to make a "Happy Birthday" garland next! Have fun!

April said...

These pumpkins are my favorite thing yet! So cute and so easy. Your pictures add alot to the tutorial also. Welcome fall.

Roeshel said...

Your pumpkins is gorgeous and your tutorial is so helpful! It'd be a great addition to The DIY Show Off Fall Festival! ;)

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-festival-week-2.html

Roeshel

Roeshel said...

I'm back! haha

Thanks SO much for posting to the Fall Festival! I think your tutorial is so helpful and your pumpkins are adorable and will inspire DIY readers!

Thanks for sharing!

Roeshel :)

Its So Very Cheri said...

You did a great tutorial.


I hope you will come by for a visit.

Cheri
Its So Very Cheri

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

very cute! thanks for stopping by my blog.