DIY Velvet Pumpkins Tutorial
I personally feel that Fall can be one of the most “crafty” seasons of the whole year. So if you are looking for a projects to get crafty AND decorate your home this week, I have the perfect one for you – 10 minute DIY Velvet Pumpkins!
I have been wanting to make these for a long time and searched other tutorials online but couldn’t find one with the exact simplistic approach I wanted. Making a velvet pumpkin, for me, meant that I wouldn’t need to pick up a needle at all, and if it weren’t for the pumpkin stem, you wouldn’t even need glue for this tutorial! In other words, these are the easiest fabric pumpkins ever and they look like you picked them up a Pottery Barn (but for half the cost!).
Supplies
Here are the supplies you will need:
- Paper mache pumpkins. You can find these at craft stores year round usually and definitely in the fall months. I bought mine right here and here.
- Stretch velvet fabric – find a wide variety here.
- Scissors
- Xacto knife
- Mod podge
- Extra fine glitter
- A paper plate to catch the glitter
- Glue gun
Step 1
To start making your DIY velvet pumpkins you will need to prep the pumpkin for adding the fabric. Begin cutting the stem away from the pumpkin.
When removing the stem make sure to try cut as close to the base as possible for a clean look. Also be sure to hold the stem so it doesn’t fall into the hallow pumpkin and get stuck. True story guys! 🙂
Unless you decide to buy dried pumpkin stems make sure to save the paper mache stem. We are going to use it!
Step 2
Next you will cut out a large square of the velvet stretch fabric to cover the pumpkin. The amount of fabric you will need will vary based on your pumpkin’s size. Before cutting place the pumpkin onto your fabric and check to make sure you are being generous enough to cover the pumpkin. Hint: go for more not less.
Once you have cut out your square of fabric, lay it out and place the pumpkin back into the center.
Step 3
Starting with one corner of the fabric and begin stuffing the velvet into the paper mache pumpkin.
Continue this until all the fabric has been stuffed into the center. Your fabric should be tight enough that you are seeing the contour of your pumpkin coming through. I use the back end of my xacto knife to pull it nice and tight into the center.
Your pumpkin should resemble mine above. Keep reading to learn how I add my stem!
More Fall Inspiration
Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Craft
Pumpkin Spice Season Printable
DIY Velvet Pumpkin Stem
Using your stem you saved from step 1, paint a generous amount of mod podge on, covering it well.
To finish the stem you will sprinkle your glitter over the mod podge till covered. I recommend using extra fine glitter here because it really holds to the mod podge better then regular or chunky glitter.
Once you have let your stem dry for a few minutes then glue it down with hot glue! See how I do it in my full video tutorial below!
Don’t you just love how simple this was??! It took me an hour for all these pumpkins you see here and less then $40 in cost, plus I have enough material left over for more pumpkins and projects! If you want to add some stem variation you can also buy those fall pick pumpkins you see in arrangements at your craft store or even the Dollar Store and pull off the stems to use on your smaller DIY velvet pumpkins.
I decided to display mine on a large metal tray on my dining table. How would you use yours? Tell me below!
My Fall Finds
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My mission is to inspire you to nurture the creative magic inside your soul – bringing you fun, easy to learn DIY projects, and quality template designs. Learn more about me here.
Kate says
These are adorable DIY project!
Kimberly Bowie says
Where do you buy your paper pumpkins
Abbi says
Amazon or Joann’s craft store!
Theresa says
I love velvet pumpkins, but never splurged on buying one for myself. I am definitely going to make these! Tomorrow! I will probably place them on my mantle. Thank you so much for these directions!
Abbi says
My pleasure! 🙂
Phillis says
I used your “process” but I wanted to try to make them cheaper than buying paper mache pumpkins. I bought the cheapest pumpkins (Dollar Tree) and started. I took off the stem and then made the opening just a bit bigger. Then I followed your instructions. I “dry painted” the original plastic stems with brown matte acrylic paint and then “highlighted” them with a cream acrylic paint. They actually looked pretty good. When the stems were dry I hot glued them back on top. They are absolutely gorgeous. The only “problem” is that they are a bit messy. When you cut into that styrofoam you’ll have little pieces of styrofoam everywhere. Thanks for the idea!!