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Craftivity Designs

You are here: Home / Party & Holiday / Seasonal Decor & Crafts / Fall / How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin

September 1, 2016 · 12 Comments

How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin

Fall

Did you know you can make cheap fabric pumpkins from old cloth napkins? With beginner sewing skills and a few tools, you can make a collection of pumpkins in no time!

It’s September 1st. It might be 90+ degrees outside and we are planning to spend the long weekend at a water park, but my mind is focused on fall. I love it. The crisp, cool air. The taste of pumpkin and apple in drinks and treats. The layering of cozy sweaters. I look forward to summer fading and I’m anxious to dress up our home in warmth and fall decor.

How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD
Over the weekend, my mom and I made fabric pumpkins together. I’m already filling our dining room with them, but for today I’ll be sharing how to make the fabric pumpkins. The fall tour will come in several weeks {Update: Take the fall tour, here}. See? Not too much fall here on the first day of September.


Fabric Pumpkin: Supplies

  • Cloth Napkin (try a buffalo check, ticking stripe, or traditional print)
  • Plate
  • Pen
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Needles and Thread
  • Plastic Snack Bags
  • Beans
  • Filler (such as polyfill or grocery bags)
  • Branch (cut into pieces)
  • Felt
  • Leaf Template (download a free template in step #8)
  • Hot Glue Gun and Glue

How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

Fabric Pumpkin: Instructions

#1: Fold the cloth napkin into fourths. To note, any fabric can be used, of course — simply cut it into a square. I’ve had these floral cloth napkins for years, originally found at a thrift store. They had a nice fall color palette and were the perfect choice for a fabric pumpkin.
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

#2: When you fold the napkin, one corner won’t have any folded edges. Place a plate over that corner and draw a line to mark the curve of the plate.
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

#3: Cut along the line with fabric scissors or pinking shears to create curved edges. You’ll now have a more circular shape, even if it isn’t an exact circle.
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

#4: Begin anywhere along the edge and sew a loose stitch {approximately every 1/2″}. Gather the fabric as you go, every 5-10 stitches.
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

#4: Once you are back to where you began stitching, gather the fabric tight and tie off the thread. You’ll want to have a hole in the top of the pumpkin that is large enough to hold the branch and to stuff the pumpkin.

#5: Fill a plastic snack bag with dry beans and stuff it inside the pumpkin. This will give the finished pumpkin weight and help it sit well.

#6: Stuff any type of filler {such as polyfill} into the pumpkin. I used two types. First, there was an old lumpy pillow that was destined for the trash. I cut it open and use that filler for pumpkins. Second, many of the pumpkins were just filled with plastic grocery store bags, which was a great way to recycle and get them out of our pantry.
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

#7: Snap a dead branch into pieces for pumpkin stems, depending on how many pumpkins you are making. Each of the stems was about 5-6″ in length. Slide it through the hole at the top of the pumpkin and tuck in place, surrounded by the filler.

#8: Cut felt leaves and hot glue them to the fabric around the edges of the branch.

Would you like to download a template to use while cutting the fall leaves? Enter your email below to subscribe to the newsletter. Once subscribed, you will be able to download a free template which features 4 leaves ranging from 2.5″ in length to 4.5″ in length. {note: If you are already subscribed, you may still need to enter your email; but you will not be subscribed twice.} 

DOWNLAOD NOW: Leaf Template

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How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

Fabric Pumpkin Patterns and Colors

You’ll notice that I didn’t choose traditional fall fabrics or even many fall colors, for that matter. It was my intent to choose unexpected patterns that would blend well with the current decor in our home. When it comes to seasonal decorating, I don’t want it to be a huge task of switching out everything in a room to make seasonal colors “fit” in the space.
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

The ticking pumpkin, shown above, was my original vision. I saved scraps from the ticking cushion on our deck swing because I love the simplicity of the fabric. It made for a cute pumpkin and I had to create more. Little, easy-sew pumpkins were perfect for a fun afternoon of relaxed crafting. Plus, now my dining room is making a slow transition from bright summer colors to warm fall tones.
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin from a Cloth Napkin. Fabric Pumpkins, Ticking Pumpkin, Floral Pumpkin, Fall Craft by @CraftivityD

Are you anxious for fall — or do you like to hold onto summer?

About Lora Green

Lora is the Owner and Creative Director of Craftivity Designs, where she seeks to Create a Home that is simple, functional, and beautiful. With an eye for practical solutions, she designs multi-purpose rooms which pack a storage punch. As a busy mom of 2, she shares crafts that are quick and easy, without sacrificing style. For fun, she loves to go on a homemade scavenger hunt and plan trips to Disney.

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Comments

  1. Sabrina says

    September 2, 2016 at 8:46 am

    What a super easy and fun fall DIY! I love how the pumpkins turned out! Can’t wait to see your fall home tour πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 2, 2016 at 9:07 am

      Thanks, Sabrina! It was a fun craft πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Colette @ restyle it wright says

    September 2, 2016 at 9:43 am

    So cute Lora! I love the non traditional fabric choice! Who says fall decor can only be orange/yellow/red/brown! Looks great! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 2, 2016 at 10:57 pm

      Thanks, Colette!

      Reply
  3. zan says

    September 6, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    They are so easy to make. I love the different colors. I have painted pumpkins but never made them with fabric myself!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 6, 2016 at 3:41 pm

      You should give it a try! A fun craft πŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Esther | The Cuteness says

    September 6, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    I love these! What a fun DIY, thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 6, 2016 at 3:39 pm

      Thanks, Esther πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins says

    September 9, 2016 at 11:45 am

    What a fun and simple craft! I love that you chose colors that match your current decor to make the transition easier. I am always sad to see the warm days of summer go away but I also love the cool, crisp days of fall!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 9, 2016 at 10:10 pm

      It is a simple project πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says

    September 10, 2016 at 7:52 pm

    SO CUTE, Lora!! I love the idea of using thrift store napkins to make pumpkins. A pretty and unique spin on the traditional pumpkin look!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 12, 2016 at 9:36 am

      Yep! Inexpensive and something different πŸ™‚

      Reply

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Meet Lora

Lora is the Owner and Creative Director of Craftivity Designs, where she seeks to Create a Home that is simple, functional, and beautiful. With an eye for practical solutions... Read More…

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