Rustic Fabric Pumpkins DIY (Easy)
This quick and easy rustic fabric pumpkins DIY project is perfect for the Fall season. See how to make fabric pumpkins with or without a sewing machine, and add a few pumpkins to your fall season decor.
This is such a fun craft to kick off the season, and the project is achievable by most anyone with or without sewing experience.
Table of Contents
Super Easy Rustic Fabric Pumpkins Tutorial
Would you believe me if I told you, I can’t find fresh, real pumpkins here where I live? … I’m sure you wouldn’t. But it’s true. Just around October 15th or so you might see some pumpkins already painted with jack-o-lantern faces on it.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
This is my third Fall here in Spain and I haven’t been able to find pretty pumpkins that are not Halloween-ready. For that reason, I had to start being creative making my own pumpkins. Today I’m sharing with you how to make some really cute and easy rustic Fabric Pumpkins DIY.
There are different ways to sew fabric pumpkins. I couldn’t make up my mind about how to make the pumpkins, I had seen Lauren’s style from The Thinking Closet and I love it. Then I saw Christy’s from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer and they look so darn pretty and then again, I checked Sondra’s Lyn’s from Sondra Lyn at Home and fell in love! I got so much inspiration.
I decided to make 2 methods and after I was done with one of each, I thought why not share easy fabric pumpkins with you?
How To Make Fabric Pumpkins By Hand
Before we begin, be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and also sign up for our email list (at the end of this post), so you’ll never miss a post!
Fabric Pumpkins DIY Method 1
Make cute, cuddly pumpkins from fabric scraps using the hand sewing technique. Step-by-step instructions complete with photos are found here.
These are so easy to make. There is no fabric pumpkin pattern or template needed. Just wait until you see how quickly these cuddly fabric pumpkins come together.
Supplies:
- Hand Sewing Needle
- Thread (I used a thread color that matched my fabric)
- Scissors
- Polyester Fiber Fill (poly fill)
- Burlap
- Twine
- Fabric (For the tutorial I used rustic linen)
- Fabric Markers.
- Ruler
- A small piece of branch.
- Hot glue gun
- Pins
Recommended Fabric for these Pumpkins
To make fabric pumpkins you could cotton, jersey, denim, felt, or velvet. Use whatever fabric you like. To keep it thrifty, you could even cut up old sweaters or a flannel shirt. If you don’t have any, check your local thrift store.
To give my pumpkins a rustic look, I used burlap and linen fabric in several shades of beige and tan. The texture of the burlap works well with the linen.
Instructions:
Check it out the full video tutorial here, or if you are more of a step-by-step photo kind of person, scroll down and keep reading!!!!!
Step 1: Prep Work
Fold your fabric twice with edges even.
Using a ruler, measure the length from the folded corner to the shortest edge. That will be your measure.
Then start marking that same measure from center corner left side towards the other side every half inch. You will create an arch.
Cut along the marks. to make sure the fabric stays in place I used pins.
Once you cut you will get a circular piece of fabric.
Step2: Sewing
Thread your needle. Start sewing in and out of your fabric, running a gathering stitch around the outer edge of the circle. You’ll want about a half inch seam allowance. You do not need to sew small stitches, just make them about as they come out.
Gather the raw edges tightly all the way around.
Step 3: Fill the Pumpkins
Do not close your pumpkin yet. It’s time to get to stuffin’, so I just loosened the stitches to fill but don’t cut the thread.
This is a good way to get your kids into the project :)
The picture below shows the fiber fill going inside the fabric pumpkin.
Once you have the desired amount of fullness, it’s time to close the top.
Step4: Create Pumpkin Stem
Finish by pulling the ends of the thread till opening is as small as possible but enough to fit your branch piece through it.
Using your threaded needle, pull the string, pinch the top of the pumpkin where all the fabric is gathered and start sewing it up. Give the thread a few loops around the branch and stitch again. This does not have to be perfect. You just want to make sure the top is not going to pop open or the branch to come out.
Step 5: Make Pumpkin Leaves
Now cut a small square piece of burlap to add leaf decor the top of the pumpkin. calculate the size depending on your pumpkin’s size.
Fold it twice as triangle like follows:
Now make a cut like shown in the photo below:
Then cut a tiny bit of the center.
You will get something like this:
Insert the branch through the burlap hole until it reaches the bottom.
Using your hot glue gun start winding the rope around the stem until you get up a few loops. Give as many loops as you wish, I did just a few. Cut the Twine.
Step 6: Last Touches
The last detail is cutting a couple of twine strings and swirling around with some hot glue and your finger.
Glue it to the base of the pumpkin stem.
You are done!
The first Pumpkin is ready and pretty!
Fabric Pumpkins Method 2
If you are proficient in sewing, you can make these pumpkins rather quickly.
Supplies:
- Needle & Thread (I used a thread color that matched my fabric)
- Scissors
- Polyester Fiber Fill (poly fill)
- Twine
- Fabric (For the tutorial I used rustic linen)
- Hot glue gun
Instructions
Check it out the full video tutorial here, or if you are more of a step-by-step photo kind of person, scroll down and keep reading!!!!!
Step 1: Prep Work
Cut your fabric into a rectangle. For a rounder pumpkin, the length should be 1.5 times the width (6″ wide by 12″ long). For a slightly squattier pumpkin, the length should be 2 times the width (6″ wide by 15″ long).
Step 2: Sewing
Fold the fabric in half width-wise with right sides together and sew along the open edge across the fold first. You can either use a sewing machine if you have it or hand-sew it. You don’t need to be perfect here.
With right sides still together, gather up the fabric at one of the openings and stitch roughly like in the first method around the edges.
Without knotting or cutting pull the string to the maximum to ruffle it and then tie some loops around the ruffle to secure it. Tie a knot.
Turn the pumpkin right side out.
Step 3: Fill the Pumpkins
Time to stuff your pumpkin. Fill the pumpkin with stuffing until it is fairly firm.
Ruffle the opening twisting it tight to close it.
Then with your needle and thread stitch across the stem. Give some loops around it and then stitch across again. Repeat this a few times until you see it firm.
Now Insert the needle from the stem through the bottom of the pumpkin.
Pull the string tight to give the shape of a pumpkin. make a couple knots and cut the string.
Step 4: Create the Stem
The next step is wrapping this baby up! Seriously, the tighter you pull the rope, the more gathered and sectioned your pumpkin will look!
You will start from the stem and across the bottom so that you end up back up on the top. Give it a loop overlapping the twine end and go again across the bottom and back up with another loop around the stem. Repeat until you get 6 to 8 sections.
When you are happy with the sections start wrapping the stem tightly all the way up.
When you think it’s tall enough, stop and cut the remaining fabric.
Then apply some hot glue to the fabric and make the last loops until the very top.
Apply some more hot glue to the top of the stem and make the last loops in a spiral.
Right before the last tiny loop, cut the twine apply a bit more of hot glue and insert the end through the opening.
The last detail is giving a slight bending to the stem.
Viola!
You got some pretty pumpkins at this point.
Crafting Tips
- If you want your cotton pumpkin to look more rustic and old-fashioned, wash and dry the fabric before you make it. This will make it look a bit old and rough, which is great if you like the rustic-style look.
- Make your canvas fabric look old by distressing it. Use a rough tool like sandpaper or a wire brush to gently scratch the surface of the canvas. This will make it look like it’s been exposed to the weather for a long time, making it even more charmingly old-fashioned.
- To make a stem that looks real, get some small sticks or dried plant stems together. Tie them up tight with string. Put the covered stick into the pumpkin’s top and use sewing or hot glue to keep it in place for a natural and old-fashioned look.
- Instead of normal sewing, try adding pretty stitches to make your fabric pumpkins look more rustic. You can make things more interesting by adding different colored stitch patterns when cross-stitching or embroidering.
- Make pumpkins out of different fabrics to make them unique. You can use different patterns and textures to make patchwork pumpkins. Mix burlap, cotton, and canvas fabrics together, switching between them in different parts to create a unique and rustic appearance. Use hand sewing to hold the parts together, and appreciate the unique and handmade look.
What do you think?
Now you can start making different colors and fabrics. Imagination is the limit.
How many pumpkins will you make? I think a small pumpkin, medium pumpkin, and a large pumpkin at a minimum! Any odd number will look great on a table, shelf or mantle.
Check out how pretty my Fabric Pumpkins turned out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. You can follow the same instructions given here. You just need to be a little more careful while stitching so you don’t damage the felt.
I recommend Polyester Fiber Fill (polyfill) but you can also use cotton when pumpkins are small or fabric scraps.
You could cotton, jersey, denim, felt, or velvet. Use whatever fabric you like. To keep it thrifty, you could even cut up old sweaters or flannel shirts. If you don’t have any, check your local thrift store. Also stuffing, a needle, thread, scissors, and you can add dried leaves or small pinecones if you like.
Not at all, these fabric pumpkins are easy for beginners to make. You only need to know basic ways of sewing like running stitch or whip stitch. This project is perfect for people who are new to sewing with their hands.
Think about making the fabric look old and worn by rubbing sandpaper or a wire brush on it. This will create a rough look. You can wash and dry the cotton fabric before using it to make it look slightly frayed and worn out.
That depends on how big the pumpkin is and how fast you sew. It usually takes around 15 minutes to 30 minutes to finish.
More Fall Projects to Try
If you like this Rustic Fabric Pumpkins tutorial, you might also love these other Fall project ideas too:
✂️ Tutorial
Rustic Fabric Pumpkins DIY
Tools
- Hand Sewing Needle
- Thread (I used a thread color that matched my fabric)
- scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Fabric Markers.
Supplies
- Polyester Fiber Fill poly fill
- Burlap
- Twine
- Fabric For the tutorial I used rustic linen and white cotton
- Ruler
- A small piece of branch.
- Pins
- Twine
Instructions
FABRIC PUMPKINS DIY METHOD 1
STEP 1: PREP WORK
- Fold your fabric twice with edges even.
- Using a ruler, measure the length from the folded corner to the shortest edge. That will be your measure.
- Then start marking that same measure from center corner left side towards the other side every half inch. You will create an arch.
- Cut along the marks. to make sure the fabric stays in place I used pins.
- Once you cut you will get a circular piece of fabric.
STEP2: SEWING
- Thread your needle. Start sewing in and out of your fabric, running a gathering stitch around the outer edge of the circle. You’ll want about a half inch seam allowance. You do not need to sew small stitches, just make them about as they come out.
- Gather the raw edges tightly all the way around.
STEP 3: FILL THE PUMPKINS
- Do not close your pumpkin yet. It’s time to get to stuffin’, so I just loosened the stitches to fill but don’t cut the thread.
- This is a good way to get your kids into the project :)
- Stuff unfinished pumpkin with poly fill.
- Once you have the desired amount of fullness, it’s time to close the top.
STEP4: CREATE PUMPKIN STEM
- Finish by pulling the ends of the thread till opening is as small as possible but enough to fit your branch piece through it.
- Using your threaded needle, pull the string, pinch the top of the pumpkin where all the fabric is gathered and start sewing it up. Give the thread a few loops around the branch and stitch again. This does not have to be perfect. You just want to make sure the top is not going to pop open or the branch to come out.
- Tuck a small twig or stick into the opening for the pumpkin stem.
STEP 5: MAKE PUMPKIN LEAVES
- Now cut a small square piece of burlap to add leaf decor the top of the pumpkin. calculate the size depending on your pumpkin’s size.
- Fold it twice as triangle like follows:
- Make a cut in the center of the burlap.
- Then cut a tiny bit of the center.
- Insert the branch through the burlap hole until it reaches the bottom.
- Using your hot glue gun start winding the rope around the stem until you get up a few loops. Give as many loops as you wish, I did just a few. Cut the Twine.
- Hold until glue has set.
STEP 6: LAST TOUCHES
- The last detail is cutting a couple of twine strings and swirling around with some hot glue and your finger.
- Using fingers to coil twine.
- Glue it to the base of the pumpkin stem.
- You are done! The first Pumpkin is ready and pretty!
FABRIC PUMPKINS DIY METHOD 2
STEP 1: PREP WORK
- Cut your fabric into a rectangle. For a rounder pumpkin, the length should be 1.5 times the width (6″ wide by 12″ long). For a slightly squattier pumpkin, the length should be 2 times the width ( 6″ wide by 15″ long).
STEP 2: SEWING
- Fold the fabric in half width-wise with right sides together and sew along the open edge across the fold first. You can either use a sewing machine if you have it or hand-sew it. You don’t need to be perfect here.
- With right sides still together, gather up the fabric at one of the openings and stitch roughly like in the first method around the edges.
- Without knotting or cutting pull the string to the maximum to ruffle it and then tie some loops around the ruffle to secure it. Tie a knot.
- Use tread to tie some loops around fabric end to secure.
- Turn the pumpkin right side out.
STEP 3: FILL THE PUMPKINS
- Time to stuff your pumpkin. Fill the pumpkin with stuffing until it is fairly firm.
- Ruffle the opening twisting it tight to close it.
- Then with your needle and thread stitch across the stem. Give some loops around it and then stitch across again. Repeat this a few times until you see it firm.
- Now Insert the needle from the stem through the bottom of the pumpkin.
- Pull the string tight to give the shape of a pumpkin. make a couple knots and cut the string.
STEP 4: CREATE THE STEM
- The next step is wrapping this baby up! Seriously, the tighter you pull the rope, the more gathered and sectioned your pumpkin will look!
- You will start from the stem and across the bottom so that you end up back up on the top. Give it a loop overlapping the twine end and go again across the bottom and back up with another loop around the stem. Repeat until you get 6 to 8 sections.
- Run twine from top to base and around to create pumpkin shape.
- When you are happy with the sections start wrapping the stem tightly all the way up.
- Wrap the twine around fabric to create stem.
- Keep wrapping twine until it is long enough.
- When you think it’s tall enough, stop and cut the remaining fabric.
- Then apply some hot glue to the fabric and make the last loops until the very top.
- Apply some more hot glue to the top of the stem and make the last loops in a spiral.
- Right before the last tiny loop, cut the twine apply a bit more of hot glue and insert the end through the opening.
- The last detail is giving a slight bending to the stem.
- Bend the stem with hands.
- Viola! Your second Pumpkin is ready.
LOVE IT? Don’t forget to share it with your friends!!!
Til’ next time…
FREE WORKBOOK
Keeping your Sweet Home Organized
Learn how to create intentional habits and simple routines to Keep Your Home Organized. Plus freebies, printables, exclusive content, and tips.
Disclaimer: By clicking on the “Yes” button above you are giving me your consent to collect and use your information according to the law and My Policy Privacy. Zero Spam I promise!
