Hand-Sewn Fabric Pumpkin

Since stores are selling Halloween merchandise in August, I figure it is now seasonally appropriate to begin making Halloween and fall décor. Made with just one 8” square of fabric (plus a few notions), this fabric pumpkin is a perfect scrap-buster for Halloween and general fall decorating. I've made these with everyone from a class of 2nd graders through groups of adults, and it is always fun to see traditional and non-traditionally colored pumpkins come to life from flat fabric pieces with just a few seams.

• 8” square of fabric
• Thread – Embroidery floss or other thick thread will work best.
• Hand sewing needle
• Fiberfill or other stuffing (such as finely chopped fabric scraps)
• Pipe cleaner/chenille stem or a piece of a twig/branch for the pumpkin stem
• Hot glue gun and glue (to attach the stem)
• Scissors

Cut your fabric into a circle, either using a compass or by folding the fabric in quarters and cutting off the corners. It does not need to be a perfect circle - close to a circle will work just fine.

Sew a running stitch around the outside edge of the circle, using medium-length stitches.

Gently pull on the thread to gather the felt into a 3-D bowl.

Fill the bowl with stuffing and pull the thread tight to seal. Tie a knot to keep the pieces pulled tight.

Sew back and forth, pulling gently on the thread to further close the hole. Tie a strong knot.

There are two options for this step. Option 1 (orange pumpkin) will give a more tufted look. Option 2 (tan pumpkin) will give you a rounder pumpkin, and is easier for children or beginning sewers. 

Option 1: Bring the needle from the bottom of the pumpkin through the center of the top. Wrap the thread around the side of the pumpkin. Repeat to form the sections of the pumpkin. Tie off the thread on the bottom when done. Pumpkins aren’t symmetric, so don’t worry if your sections are uneven.

Option 2: From the bottom of the pumpkin, wrap the thread in a circle around the pumpkin. Pull snug. Make a small stitch in the bottom to secure. Repeat until you’ve formed all of the pumpkin sections. Tie off the thread on the bottom when done.

Pumpkins aren’t symmetric, so don’t worry if your sections are uneven.

If using a twig or small branch, glue it to the center top of your pumpkin.

If using a pipe cleaner/chenille stem, twist the chenille stem (pipe cleaner) around itself to form a stem. Use the hot glue to glue it on the top of the pumpkin. It is up to you if you want a skinny, thick, long, or short stem.