I’m always ready to get out flannel, velvet, and wool by the time September rolls around.  Fall is my favorite time of the year and crafting projects take on a whole new meaning with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas FINALLY in view.  These stuffed fabric pumpkins caught my eye at a (very) expensive home decor shop, and upon close inspection, I realized they would be super quick and easy to recreate at home!  I love finding a beautiful $200 decor piece that I can make for pennies, and projects like these fabric pumpkins help to make a tiny dent in my enormous fabric stash.

Let’s Do This:  Fabric Pumpkins with Real Stems!

There are no absolutes to these instructions.  I made them up as I went along, and it’s a fun project for trial and error.  There are numerous ways to cut, stuff, and stitch these fabric pumpkins, but I will share what worked for me.

Materials:

Fabric:  I love using velvet and flannel, but you can find the fabric that speaks to you and coordinates with your decor.  Using thick, heavy, FALL fabric allows for significant embellishments – like feathers, rhinestones, tapestry ribbon, etc.   A medium-sized pumpkin requires (about) an 18″ circle, so 1/2 yard is needed.  You can make them as small as you’d like if you have less fabric.

Fill / Stuffing:  I used polyester fiber-fill.  I’ve seen similar decor stuffed with rice, however I can’t quite figure out how to make that work.

Strong thread:  Upholstery thread works great.  As you put stuffing in the pumpkin, you will want a strong thread to gather the circle edge into the pumpkin “top”.

Pumpkin stems:  I used pumpkin stems that had dried in my oven for 2 hours.  The pumpkin-stem-drying-purist sets the stems out to dry in a cool, dark, dry location for about 8 weeks.  I ain’t got that kinda time, sista……so I fast-forward the drying process in my oven.  Bam.   Turn the oven to 200-ish, place the stems in a single layer on a baking sheet, and then walk away for a couple of hours.

Glue gun/epoxy:  I use both.  You could go with just one of those adhesives and be totally fine.  Once you read the instructions, just decide what works best for you.

Screws, wooden biscuit (this is totally optional – I’m still trying to find an ideal stem/pumpkin connector)

Instructions:

1. Cut a circle from the fabric – measurement is dependant on the final size of your pumpkin.  An 18″ diameter circle produces a medium-sized pumpkin, about 9″ across.
2. Run a long basting stitch around the perimeter of the circle (upholstery thread).
3. Begin to gather/pull the basting stitches to form the pumpkin, and place stuffing in the middle.
4. Continue to do this until you get the shape you want.  I like to put some high points on the top to make it look a bit more “pumpkin-like”, so there are hills and valleys on the surface.   ALSO:  I put a couple rocks in the bottom of the pumpkin so it has more “weight”.  I’m sure there are professional-type decor weights you can put in the center of the stuffing, however I usually don’t think that far ahead and just run out to my garden landscaping – and grab a couple of rocks.  Just use the not-so-pretty ones, friend – you’ll never miss them.
5. Pull the top gathers into one point, as this will be covered by the stem.  Secure the thread with multiple knots.

**Add any feathers/trim to the top of the pumpkin before moving on to secure the stem.

Secure the stem:  This can be accomplished in a number of ways.  I like to drill out a bit of the stem, then insert the head of a screw or wooden biscuit.  Secure it with glue/epoxy. Put some glue/epoxy on the base of the stem, then work the connector into the pumpkin top.

Add rhinestones if you’re feeling super blingy.  Or not.  The fabric pumpkins look great either way.

You’re DONE!!

These are the prettiest little addition to fall decor, and the fabric/embellishment possibilities are endless.  Sometimes it takes making one or two to figure out the process that works best for you.  If you have any suggestions, PLEASE leave a comment below!  I’d love to hear how your pumpin-making goes!

We have a bizillion (not kidding – THAT many) oak trees in our yard, so instead of cursing the acorn-covered yard, we collect them and make velvet acorns!  If you can’t beat ’em, JOIN ’em and make them even FANCIER!

I hope this tutorial was helpful.  Please PIN this for future use and to SHARE with your friends!

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Thanks for stopping by my Inspired Mess – let’s do this again soon!