Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial for Beginners

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If you’re a friend of Organized 31, then it comes as no surprise that everything that is about to be thrown away in my home gets a second look before it goes into the trash or recycle can. I absolutely can’t stand to waste anything. Anything. Two months ago when I was doing college shopping with my “baby,” I found a great orange-y piece of fabric that I knew I had to repurpose. As I’ve been planning Halloween college care packages for my babies, it hit me – use the castoff bag in a fabric pumpkin tutorial. I’m thrilled with the way these pumpkins turned out and I made five of them in less than a half an hour. Really.

These fabric pumpkins are ad-dorable! They’re also perfect for sending in a college care package because they’re unbreakable and lightweight. I’m addicted to making these pumpkins now, so be warned, you may be receiving a bushel of pumpkins from me as a gift this month.

It all started with this bag that a sheet set came in. You could use any orange fabric, new or upcycled.

Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

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You want to cut the fabric with the length at least twice the width. I added a bit more to the length to make my pumpkins fatter rather than taller.

I was able to get five pieces of fabric to make pumpkins from one sheet set bag. Two of the 5″ x 11″ and three of the 3″x 7″ sizes. 

Fold the fabric in half and sew the short sides together by machine with a 1/4″ seam.

Using a running stitch, go around one end of the fabric tube. Pull the thread to draw the end of the tube closed tightly. Turn the pumpkin right-side out. 

Stuff the pumpkin with fiber fill stuffing. Use a running stitch to close the second opening tightly just like with the first opening.

Use coordinating embroidery floss to make the pumpkin shape. Pull the floss tight to make the pumpkin sections. Since these are smaller pumpkins, I could just run the thread through the middle of the pumpkins. I divided the pumpkin into two halves with the embroidery floss and then divided each half into three sections, for a total of six sections. 

Cut leaves out of green felt. I cut them out freehand. I also cut small strips of felt to make the curly stems. I twisted the stems around a pencil and stretched the felt a bit while wrapping. Then I tacked the stem to the pumpkin to hold the twists in place. Stitch the leaves onto the pumpkin by hand. 

I’m already planning on using this fabric pumpkin tutorial to make an entire pumpkin patch from upcycled fabric. Next up are 90’s grunge pumpkins. Intrigued? Stay tuned. I told you that I’m now addicted to making these easy fabric pumpkins. 

My friends, Handan and Greg at The Navatage Patch, made charming pumpkins from sisal twine. I think these cute pumpkins will be my next pumpkin crafting addiction. Their DIY Sisal Twine Pumpkins tutorial is easy to follow.  An arrangement of both fabric pumpkins and twine pumpkins would be over-the-top charming autumn decor. 

More Recycled Decor

Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial – 90’s Grunge Shirt

Soda Bottle Pumpkins

Repurposed Wood Shutters Sign for Thanksgiving

Upcycled Throw Pillow from a Skirt

Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Cranberry Sauce Bread