How I Made These Pumpkins Out of Leftover Napkins & Driftwood

$4
2 Hours
Medium
Here is a quick diy fall or Halloween craft pumpkin I made from unused and washed napkins from our wedding. I never knew what to do with all these napkins until some drift wood I had sparked this idea. I hope you enjoy it.
Here we go! Gather your supplies:


-scrap fabric for the pumpkin (I used leftover cloth napkins from our wedding)


-scrap fabric for the leaves


-scissors


-circle for template (I used three different size circles from around the house to achieve the different sized pumpkins)


-batting


-driftwood (stick or anything you want for the stem)


-something for the curly cue (could be ribbon, rafia, etc. I re-purposed coils from an old mattress)


-embroidery floss or thread


-needle


-glue gun
First draw your circle onto the fabric. These napkins were 24" x 24" so the circle in this case was about 21" dia.
Then cut it out - I used pinking shears.
Next, knot one end of your embroidery floss with several knots -if need be - so that it won't slip through your fabric. Then thread your needle. (Note: I used an upholstery needle because I like the curve and that it is extra long. You can use whatever you have on hand. No special tools are required! EASY!)
Start threading the needle into the fabric keeping the knot on what will be the inside of the pumpkin. I did this about 1/4 inch below the top edge. Do so in a weaving manner (see pictures below) all the way around your circle. I spaced the folds approximately 1/2 to 1 apart. Again, do whatever you want. I promise you - NO MEASURING IS NEEDED!
End the stitching near the starting point of the knot on the same side - which is the inside of the circle.It will now look like this:
Add batting, making sure that you stuff it to your desired fullness.
Grasp both ends of the string and start to pull gently. Shape the pumpkin as you go. If you want, you can add or remove batting if you do not have the look that you desire.
It will now look like this. Tie the top closed and cut off the extra string. Tuck in some of the raw edges too. (Note: you have the option to glue them in if you want it to be neater. I am going for the re-purposed look so I skipped this step.)Next choose the driftwood (or whatever you are using for the stem) & bend the coils as desired.
Dry fit them making sure that you are happy with the placement before gluing them into place. Finally, cut out leaves from scraps of fabric and glue everything in place.
NOW YOU ARE FINISHED! Just display & enjoy the cute little fall pumpkins you just made for the next few months!


I personally love how they look kinda beachy - with the upcycled driftwood & I love, love, love how they look on top of our piano!
Renovar Design - A Wife, A Husband & A Hammer
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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