September 18, 2012

Plush Patchwork Pumpkin Tutorial

Yesterday, I shared a quick and easy tutorial for creating elegant, vintage-inspired decoupaged lace pumpkins that are absolutely perfect to punch up your Halloween decor. If you’re in the market, though, for a pumpkin project that you can display throughout the fall season, today’s tutorial–Plush Patchwork Pumpkins (try saying that three times fast!)–might be right up your alley!
The beauty of this pattern is that it can be assembled using scraps you already have on hand, and it comes in 3 versatile sizes: small (5.5″ across), medium (7″ across) and large (8.5″ across). The sewing portion of this project is lightning-quick, and before you know it, you’ll have an entire patch of these beauties whipped up. Let me show you how to do it!

For this project, you will need…
  • Plush Patchwork Pumpkin Templates (available as a free download below)
  • Fabric in assorted patterns (scraps work great here)
  • Coordinating thread
  • Shears
  • Fiber fill
  • Hand sewing needle
  • Embroidery floss or yarn
  • Large embroidery needle
  • Felt
  • Ribbon
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Hot glue
Print and cut out the pumpkin template of your desired size. Using this template, cut out six fabric pieces from your fabric for each pumpkin. You can either cut all six pieces from one fabric, or mix and match for a funky, whimsical look. It’s up to you!
Place two of your fabric pieces together, right sides facing, lining up all of the raw edges. Pin. (If your pumpkin will be composed of various fabrics, be sure to alternate fabrics as you join them.)

Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch these pieces together.

Pin another of your fabric pieces to this assembled piece, right sides facing, and stitch together in a similar fashion. You will now have a somewhat circular piece composed of three separate fabric pieces. Set this piece aside for now.

Repeat the preceding steps with the remaining three pieces of fabric.
When both 3-pieced sides are complete, line them up along the entire perimeter of their raw edges, making sure the center seams are precisely aligned. Pin together, as shown.

Stitch around the entire perimeter of the pinned pieces (you will be stitching in a circle), making sure to leave about 1.5″ inches open between the beginning and end of your stitching. Using a chopstick or turning tool, turn the piece right side out.

Stuff your pumpkin with a generous amount of fiber fill. You want the pumpkin to be firm when squeezed, but not overstuffed. Using a needle and thread, handstitch the opening shut.

Thread a long length of embroidery floss or yarn through your embroidery needle. (Depending upon the size of your pumpkin, you will probably need somewhere between 1 1/2 and 2 yards.)

Poke the threaded needle down through the bottom of your pumpkin, close to the center, as shown. Poke the needle back down through the pumpkin…

…and tie the two tails of thread that now are hanging from the bottom center of your pumpkin in a nice, tight knot. (This will give your pumpkin a tufted appearance.) Do not trim your thread yet!

Bring your threaded needle up and around the side of your pumpkin, moving from the bottom to the top, poking the needle down directly through the center of your pumpkin, as shown. Pull tightly to further tuft your pumpkin. Repeat this step for each of the six sections of your pumpkin.

When each section has been tufted, secure the threads with a knot on the bottom of the pumpkin. Trim.

Using the template provided, cut a leaf shape from felt, and affix it to the top of the pumpkin with hot glue.

Embellish further with a cinnamon stick stem and a pretty bow.

You are finished!
I’d be remiss not to warn you: When you see how easy these are to make, you’ll catch yourself wanting to make enough to fill an entire patch! :)
These would be a darling addition to any seasonal display…
…but they could also double as festive pincushions!
To download the templates for this project, click on the arrow at the bottom right-hand side of the box below. Please note that if you are enjoying this post in a reader or via email subscription, you will have to visit the blog in order to grab the download.

Fabric Sources:
Orange Polka Dot & Blue Houndstooth – Premier Fabrics
Yellow Woodgrain – Joel Dewberry

Thanks for making me a part of your day!
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Amy @ Positively Splendid

Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you'll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
Amy @ Positively Splendid

@splendidamy

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25 Responses to Plush Patchwork Pumpkin Tutorial

  1. Jessica @ Plum Patchwork September 18, 2012 at 12:09 pm #

    Amy, these are fabulous! Of course, I’m a sucker for anything patchwork!
    I can’t wait to make a few of these for fall!

    Reply
  2. Amanda @ Serenity Now September 18, 2012 at 12:41 pm #

    What a fun mix of colors and patterns. :) These are just adorable, Amy!

    Reply
  3. cherished bliss September 18, 2012 at 1:28 pm #

    These are adorable!! Love them Amy!

    Reply
  4. Torrie September 18, 2012 at 3:32 pm #

    You are amazing! These are just what I need for fall decor.

    Reply
  5. ramsaygrace September 18, 2012 at 4:09 pm #

    I absolutely love the look of this, with the patchwork (love all things patchwork for some reason)! You really are so talented! Thanks for sharing. :-)
    Trinity

    Reply
  6. Beverly {Flamingo Toes} September 18, 2012 at 5:20 pm #

    These really are the cutest pumpkins ever Amy! I love the fabrics you chose!

    Reply
  7. Leigh Anne September 18, 2012 at 7:45 pm #

    These are really awesome! I especially love how you can customize with fabric & the cinnamon stick is perfect :)

    Reply
  8. Al@PolkaDotsandPaisley September 18, 2012 at 10:13 pm #

    These are so cute. I love the different fabrics.

    Reply
  9. Hi I'm Shannon! September 19, 2012 at 1:53 am #

    Oh wow. Those are amazingly CUTE! Love the aqua zing you slipped in there ;) Just darling!

    Reply
  10. Daniela Dobson September 19, 2012 at 3:10 pm #

    Thanks so much for the tutorial. Totally random search just now brought me here. Love them!

    Reply
  11. Kate September 20, 2012 at 12:15 pm #

    They are beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  12. Our Pinteresting Family September 22, 2012 at 1:09 am #

    They are beautiful! Great work! I found them at TT&J. :) Megan

    Reply
  13. Shelley September 22, 2012 at 4:25 am #

    Loving these! Not sure if I could do it, but they sure are so pretty :) Love the cinnamon stick!

    Reply
  14. Torrie October 13, 2012 at 7:05 pm #

    I am having an error message when I try to download the pattern. Is anyone else having an issue?

    Reply
    • Amy @ Positively Splendid November 4, 2012 at 7:59 pm #

      Torrie, are you by chance using Firefox as your browser? I have heard of a few other Firefox users experiencing that issue.

      Reply
  15. Terry October 24, 2012 at 2:44 am #

    These are so cute.. I love them ! Thanks so much for the patterns and tutorial !

    Reply
    • Amy @ Positively Splendid October 24, 2012 at 2:56 am #

      You are so very welcome, Terry!

      Reply
  16. elena October 24, 2012 at 10:51 am #

    wowhoo fantastic tutorial, how i can dowload the pdf patterns? Thanks you

    elena

    Reply
  17. Elizabeth November 4, 2012 at 10:48 am #

    Amy How beautiful. I love these pumpkins. I am unable to download the pattern though. Any suggestions.
    Elizabeth

    Reply
    • Amy @ Positively Splendid November 4, 2012 at 8:01 pm #

      Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I am so sorry you’re experiencing issues. Are you by chance using Firefox as your browser? I have heard from a few readers having issues trying to grab the downloads with Firefox. I am more than happy to email them to you if you prefer! Just send me an email amy (at) positivelysplendid (dot) com. I’ll send them your way. :)

      Reply
  18. Jill O'Leary November 5, 2012 at 1:16 am #

    Amy, your work is so fun and amazing. I hope you don’t mind that I shared your tutorial and referred to your blog on my blog. Hope you stop by and check it out! http://www.fiberluscious.blogspot.com.
    Thanks for sharing your creativity with us!
    Jill

    Reply
  19. Locas March 8, 2013 at 7:25 pm #

    Que lindos.
    Obrigada

    Beijinhos
    Locas…..

    Reply

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