Fabric Pumpkins With Cabinet Knob Stems

Full Tutorial

Supplies:

Step 1: Cut fabric

Step 2: Sew side seam

• Fold fabric with the short sides together (pictured above).
• Sew the side seams together. I used the elastic stitch setting on my sewing machine, mimics a serged seam to help prevent the fabric from fraying.
• If you don't have a sewing machine you could hand stitch the seam.

Step 3: Sew bottom seam

• Sew the bottom seam using a basting stitch (largest stitch setting) and leave long threads on either end.
• Gently pull on the top strand of thread to gather the fabric (pictured above).
• Repeat by pulling the top strand of thread on the opposite side (pictured below).
• Tie the ends to secure the gathers.

Step 4: Fill pumpkins

Step 5: Sew top seam

• With a needle and all-purpose thread, hand stitch the top closed (pictured above) and gather the fabric the same way as in Step 3.
• Draw the points together into the center and stitch in place (pictured below).

Step 6: Twine ribs and tendrils

Tip 1: Be cautious when pushing the needle through so it doesn't poke your hand. 

Tip 2: Avoid this step if you have a feline family member nearby. Unless you want to get distracted by the playful kitty and completely forget about Tip #1. Ask me how I know.

• With an 8-inch upholstery needle, thread a strand of twine through the top of the pumpkin and out the center of the bottom. You may want to use a thimble to help push the needle through the bulk of the pumpkin. 
• Leave a long strand at the top for the first tendril.
• Holding the tendril in place with your thumb, pull the thread over the pumpkin and insert the needle into the top center and back through the base. 
• Wrap it over the opposite side of the pumpkin and pull taut to form the first two ribs and tie in a knot to hold in place.
• Repeat the last two steps until you have eight ribs and tie in a knot to secure.
• There should be two strands of twine at the top of the pumpkin for tendrils (pictured below).

Step 7: Cabinet knob stems

• Using an Awl, poke a hole through the top and down to the bottom of the pumpkin and move the Awl in a back and forth motion to create a large enough hole (pictured above). Be careful during this step because the tip of that Awl is very sharp when it pops through the bottom. Ask me how I know.
• Squish the pumpkin as tight as you can and from the bottom of the pumpkin, pull the cabinet knob screw through the hole created by the Awl and out the top of the pumpkin (pictured below). I'm not going to lie, lining up the screw can get a bit frustrating but be patient.
• Twist the knob onto the screw and hand tighten to secure. You may need to use a screwdriver to tighten the knob completely. 

Step 8: Adding leaves

I save everything and had quite the collection of faux greens in a large plastic tote. I found several faux fern leaf picks (pictured above) that I believe have been in my stash for over 20 years.

I removed the stems from the pick and simply hot glued them in place under the cabinet knobs (pictured below).

Step 9: Curling the tendrils

Use foil to protect the pumpkins during this next step. Don't they remind you of a group of ladies with hair strands poking through their highlighting caps at the salon?

This is when your grown children's labeled school markers that you've kept all these years come in handy.

• Pour white glue or Mod Podge into a plastic container.
• Dip your fingers into the glue and rub it all over the twine tendrils.
• Wrap the twine around the markers and leave them to dry for no more than an hour.
• Carefully slide the markers off the tendrils and let completely dry while still curled.
• Once dry, loosen the tendril curls to your liking.

I'm so glad to have put more of the remanents from our red ticking stripe slipcover to good use and just love these cute little fabric pumpkins. 

There may appear to be a lot of steps to make these but this entire pumpkin patch can be made in a day.

While my red ticking stripe pumpkins have a Farmhouse look, you can create glamourous ones by using velvet and pretty glass or beaded knobs. Or warm and cozy pumpkins with sweaters and wooden knobs. What about whimsical ones with bold colors and patterns and metal knobs. The possibilities are endless.

Last Fall I made similar pumpkins with an old sweater and leftover fabric from our Queen Anne Armchairs Makeover You can find them here in my post Sweater Pumpkins With Cabinet Knob Stems.

Can you tell I love decorating with pumpkins in the Fall? The year before I made Burlap Pumpkins, Chalk Painted Pumpkins and Metallic Pumpkins. You can find them here in my post DIY Pumpkin Patch.

Have you ever made fabric pumpkins? I'd love to hear how you made yours in the comment section below.

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