Bloggers are a tight-knit group and often share and get inspired to try out each other’s ideas when we really like something. It’s not unusual that we do this as we often like the same things and we all like a good craft, decorating and interior design! So when my friend Julie at My Wee Abodemade the cutest velvet pumpkins that looked easy to make, I thought we’d create some here!…
My version of velvet pumpkins in my favorite white!
Supplies you’ll need
* stretchy velvet ~ available online and at your local fabric/hobby store. I found mine at Joann Fabrics.
* fiberfill for dolls and pillows ~ Poly-Fil Crafter’s Choice dry polyester packing fiber fill ~ a heavier weight than the usual fiberfill stuffing. Available online and at Wal-Mart and Joann Fabrics.
* shredded foam ~ smaller pieces of shredded foam are available online but I purchased Airtex Shredded Foam from Joann’s. Julie found a source online which had denser smaller foam pieces; I did have a thought that you could chop up this foam in a food processor. 😉
* doll needle for sewing ~ these decorator’s needles are long needles with a big eye for thicker thread. My packet is from Dritz.
* upholstery or carpet thread ~ I hear this comes in colors now but I’ve only seen it in brown and black. Perfect for making teddy bears, dolls and fixing your sofa when the seams split {ask me how I know this!}.
* rice or small beans ~ used to give your pumpkin weight and to help it stand.
* heavy duty hot glue ~ used to glue on a real dried or faux pumpkin stem, a wooden stick or whatever type of “stem” you choose.
* stems ~ real dried pumpkin stems are available online or make your own stems out of sticks cut short like in these Toile Pumpkins.
Basic instructions
Cut out a circle from your velvet and begin stitching around the outer edge with heavy duty upholstery thread. Pull it up as you go and begin stuffing your pumpkin.
Add rice to the bottom of your pumpkin ~ I added a little stuffing on the bottom but it’s your preference to use a little stuffing or not as you add the rice or beans. Continue stuffing as you finish the gathering stitch/basting around the outer circle.
Stuff it pretty full with Poly-Fil fiber fill.
Then as you begin closing the stitching, take a handful of the Poly-Fil, put some shredded foam in the center, roll closed and stuff into your pumpkin creating “shoulders” as Julie called it. 😉
{We were watching football games as I was sewing so I thought of my pumpkin’s bumps as “football shoulder pads,” Lol!}
This is the part where you may feel like you are dressing a turkey…
😉
Whip stitch across the pulled together edges and pull in the pumpkin’s stitching and catch-in as you sew it closed. Pull all threads to the center as you sew, as much as you can, pushing the fiber fill around as you go creating the pumpkin’s bumps. Tie off your stitches every once in a while as you stitch ~ good for the future in case stitches break so the whole pumpkin won’t fall apart if a few pull out.
Hot glue on your stem then stand back and admire your pumpkin patch!
Sorry that this post is a day late getting out to you! Technical difficulties with sending photos from my phone to be received by my French Ethereal email… Ugh!
Check back next week as I will be sharing more photos of the second tablescape created sharing these little cuties.
French Ethereal is a lifestyle blog sharing tips on decorating, table settings, crafts, gardening, DIY and travel. I love an elegant Shabby Chic/Old World French decor all decorated with Faith. <3
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3 thoughts on “Make Your Own Fun Velvet Pumpkins”
Your instructions are terrific, Barb, and so well illustrated.And since no machine is involved, I think even I could do a sewing project like this!
Hi Jeanie! Yes, these pumpkins are pretty easy to make, which I think is a great project. I like crafts that are easy and fun. I think I may have answered your message before via email, but thought I'd reply just in case. :)Happy Christmastime,Hugs and blessings,Barb 🙂
Hi Jeanie! Yes, these pumpkins are pretty easy to make, which I think is a great project. I like crafts that are easy and fun. I think I may have answered your message before via email, but thought I'd reply just in case. :)Happy Christmastime,Hugs and blessings,Barb 🙂
Your instructions are terrific, Barb, and so well illustrated.And since no machine is involved, I think even I could do a sewing project like this!
Hi Jeanie! Yes, these pumpkins are pretty easy to make, which I think is a great project. I like crafts that are easy and fun. I think I may have answered your message before via email, but thought I'd reply just in case. :)Happy Christmastime,Hugs and blessings,Barb 🙂
Hi Jeanie! Yes, these pumpkins are pretty easy to make, which I think is a great project. I like crafts that are easy and fun. I think I may have answered your message before via email, but thought I'd reply just in case. :)Happy Christmastime,Hugs and blessings,Barb 🙂