Velveteen Pumpkin Tutorial

Grab a cup of coffee and stitch up some cozy fall vibes with this velveteen pumpkin tutorial. Scroll down to learn how to hand sew, stuff, and decorate this luxe gourd. Place them anywhere you need a touch of autumnal glamour.

Velveteen Pumpkin Tutorial

Supplies:

Grab a kit or gather the following supplies:

  • A circle of velveteen fabric
  • Matching embroidery thread
  • Embroidery needle
  • 1/2”-1” button
  • Stuffing (poly-fill, plastic grocery sacks, fabric scraps)
  • Dried pumpkin stem or short stick
  • Hot glue
  • Scissors

 

Measure your thread...

Cut a length of thread as long as your arm. 

how to thread a needle

Slide your needle over the large hook.

how to thread a needle

Loop the thread over the same hook, making sure the thread is in front of the needle.

how to thread a needle

Pull the needle threader through the eye of the needle, wiggling as you pull.

how to thread a needle

Pull until one tail of the thread is fully through the eye of the needle.

Tie a knot...

how to thread a needle

At the other end of your thread wrap the thread around your finger.

how to thread a needle

Place the tail end into the loop you made and pull tight.

Sew around the edge...

Velveteen Pumpkin

Place your velveteen circle right side up.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Start by placing your needle ¼ of an inch away from the edge and push through until half your needle is on the other side.​

Velveteen Pumpkin

Turn your needle and push it back up through your fabric, making sure your needle is still about 1/4” away from the edge.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Pull your needle all the way through your fabric and keep pulling until your knot stops you. You have made a stitch!

Velveteen Pumpkin

Push your needle back in again, keeping that ¼” distance away from the edge and repeat the above steps until you are all the way around the circle.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Pull on your thread as you go. This will gather the pumpkin as you stitch.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Make one more stitch past your first stitch. This will help you draw up the fabric.

If the thread breaks, pull the thread out and start sewing around the circle with a new length of thread.

Stuff and shape...

Velveteen Pumpkin

Begin stuffing by placing your stuffing in the center of the pumpkin. Place as much in as you can- you can take some out if needed.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Pull on both thread ends until the hole is about the size of a quarter. Tie a knot with the ends of the thread securing the gathers. Tuck in the ends.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Thread your needle again with thread about as long as your arm and tie a knot. Flip your pumpkin over to the side without the gathers and make a stitch.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Slide one of your button’s holes onto your needle and slide it down until it meets the base of your pumpkin.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Push your needle into the second button’s hole and up through the top of the pumpkin, catching the edge of the top gathers.

Velveteen Pumpkin

Take your needle around the outside of your pumpkin and place it back into one of the button holes. (This is how the pumpkin gets its ‘ridged’ texture. Make it as smooth or ridged as you like!)

Velveteen Pumpkin

If you run out of thread. cut another length as long as your arm and knot one end. Thread it and push the needle up from under the gathers. Continue making ridges.

Velveteen Pumpkin

When you are satisfied with your pumpkin’s ridges, make a small stitch in the gathers and tie a knot.

Last step...

Velveteen Pumpkin

Use hot glue to place your stem on top of the gathered hole.

Finished!

We want to see what you made! Be sure to tag Make.Do. if you share it on social media so we can brag on you. 

Velveteen Pumpkin

The pumpkin is done! *Createfull tip* - Take your pumpkin to the next level by gluing on felt leaves, pipe cleaner swirls or add lace or beads for a luxe effect.

You did it!

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