Ticking Fabric Pumpkins with Cabinet Knob Stems
Do you save old garments, linens, and draperies for crafting potential? I save everything, including an old armchair slipcover. Today I'm sharing how to make the cutest farmhouse-style red ticking fabric pumpkins. But what makes them unique is the repurposed kitchen cabinet knob stems.
Farmhouse-Style Fabric Pumpkins With Cabinet Knob Stems
I'll show you how easy it is to make these inexpensive fabric pumpkins that I made with recycled items found in my home.
Optional Fabric Suggestions For Making These Pumpkins
- While my red ticking stripe pumpkins have farmhouse charm, you could make regal pumpkins the same way with crushed velvet and pretty glass or beaded knob stems.
- Another idea is to make Sweater Pumpkins much the same way and if you don't have furniture knobs for the stems, use tree branches foraged from your yard instead.
- If you prefer a non-traditional fall decorating style, use bright bold patterns in fall colors like these Retro Fabric Pumpkins. Instead of cabinet knobs, I used chair spindles for the stems.
What You'll Need To Make Them
These are the supplies you'll need to make the farmhouse fabric pumpkins. This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Supply list
Red Ticking Stripe Fabric or fabric of your choice
Matching All-Purpose Thread
Fiber Fill
Twine
White Ceramic Cabinet Knobs
Artificial Fern Picks
8-inch Upholstery Needle
Mod Podge or White Glue
Hot Glue Gun
Awl
How To Make Ticking Fabric Pumpkins
If you can sew a straight line, you can definitely make these pumpkins AND you don't have to use a sewing machine.
Step 1 - Fabric Pumpkin Measurements
The trick to measuring your fabric is to divide the width in half to get the height. I recommend making the pumpkins in multiple sizes as follows:
Large Fabric Pumpkin: 20-inches wide x 10-inches tall
Medium Fabric Pumpkin: 16-inches wide x 8-inches tall
Small Fabric Pumpkin: 12-inches wide by 6-inches tall
Step 2 - Sew Fabric Pumpkin Side Seams
If you don't have a sewing machine, you could hand-stitch the side seam or use fabric glue for a no-sew option.
- Fold fabric with the short sides together.
- Sew the side seams together.
- To prevent the fabric from fraying, I used the elastic stitch setting on my sewing machine which mimics a serged finish.
Step 3 - Sew Fabric Pumpkin Bottom Seams
- Baste stitch the bottom seam (largest stitch setting on the sewing machine) or a handstitched running stitch and leave long threads on either end.
- Gently pull on the top thread to gather the fabric (pictured below).
- Repeat by pulling the top thread on the opposite side (pictured below).
- Tie the ends to secure the gathers.
No-Sew Option For Pumpkin Bottom Seam
For a no-sew option, gather the fabric in your hand and tie it off with an elastic band.
Next, turn the pumpkins right side out and we'll move on to stuffing the pumpkins with batting.
Step 4 - Fill Fabric Pumpkins
Fill the pumpkins with fiberfill batting up to approximately 1-1½ inches from the top.
Step 5 - Sew Fabric Pumpkin Top Seams
- With a needle and all-purpose thread, hand stitch the top closed and gather the fabric the same way as outlined in Step 3.
- Draw the points together into the center and stitch in place.
Step 6 - How To Make Fabric Pumpkin Ribs And Tendrils
Cut twine the following lengths per size of pumpkin:
Large: 90-inches
Medium: 80-inches
Small: 70-inches
Safety Tips
- Be cautious when pushing the large upholstery needle through the pumpkins so it doesn't poke your hand.
- 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 like pictured below.
Step 7 - How To Add Cabinet Knob Stems To Fabric Pumpkins
- With 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.
- 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 be a bit frustrating so patience is key.
- 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 - How To Make Fabric Pumpkin Leaves
I save everything and had quite the collection of faux greens in a large plastic tote. I found several plastic ferns that I've had in my stash for over twenty years.
I cut the stems off the picks with wire cutters and simply glued the fern leaves under the cabinet knob stems with a hot glue gun.
Step 9 - Curling Fabric Pumpkin Tendrils
You'll want to use tin foil to protect the fabric during this step and you'll need white school or craft glue.
- Pour white school glue or Mod Podge into a plastic container.
- Dip your fingers into the glue and rub a generous amount on the twine tendrils.
- Wrap the twine around a pencil, pen, or whatever you have on hand and let them dry for about an hour.
- Carefully slide the markers off the tendrils and let them completely dry while still curled.
- Once dry, loosen the curls to your liking.
That's it, we're done. There may seem to be a lot of steps to making the fabric pumpkins but they go quickly. Once you've mastered making one set, you'll be looking for other fabric choices to make more.
Create a Fall vignette with your lovely farmhouse ticking fabric pumpkins. I mixed mine with some white painted dollar store pumpkins on a coffee table tray.
For more pumpkin inspiration you may like these 12 DIY pumpkin ideas that are easy on the wallet. Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by these farmhouse-ticking fabric pumpkins.
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If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!
If you enjoyed this DIY fabric pumpkin idea, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your DIY Pumpkins or Fall Decor Ideas board on Pinterest.
I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.
Love how they turned out. Such a fun and easy project.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Pamela! I love the farmhouse charm they add to my Fall decor.
DeleteThank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the pin and share, Marilyn, I appreciate it! xo
DeleteAbsolutely adorable! I'm going to try this. Thanks for being so detailed with the pictures.
DeleteMarie,
ReplyDeleteI love your pumpkins with the ticking and cabinet knobs. Congrats, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you will stop by.
https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2019/10/thursday-favorite-things-linky-party.html
Hugs,
Bev
I was thrilled to see my ticking stripe pumpkins featured at the party yesterday. Thank you so much Bev, I appreciate it! xo
DeleteOh Marie, you're speaking my love language with this one! Ticking AND vintage looking porcelain knobs. Love this so much! Thanks for sharing at Sundays on Silverado.
ReplyDeleteNiky
I'm glad to hear you like the farmhouse style fabric pumpkins, Niky. They are always my favorite to decorate with during the autumn season. Thank you!
DeleteOooooh my goodness, these are so up my alley! Love the fabric and the knobs! Pinned
ReplyDeleteThank you Cindy, they definitely have the farmhouse vibes. Thanks for the pin 😊
DeleteMarie, Your pumpkins are adorable and as always, you've got me thinking outside of the box.
ReplyDeleteNow, if I can only find that old blue stripe shirt :)
hugs,
Rachelle
So happy to hear you were inspired by my farmhouse pumpkins, Rachelle. I hope you find that blue stripe shirt to make your own version. Happy pumpkin making!
DeleteThese are adorable!! I have this exact fabric at home, now I know exactly what to do with it, I just need to find the time!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Kristin, I'm glad you like them AND that you have the same fabric. Happy pumpkin making!
DeleteThanks for sharing how you make your fabric pumpkins. Everyone seems to do them a bit differently each time. I have fabric ready to make some - and I love your technique - but I just need to get them done asap. Thanks for linking up. #HomeMattersParty
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you like my technique for making fabric pumpkins, Donna. Happy pumpkin making!
DeleteThese are simply adorable Marie! Thanks so much for sharing them with us at Farmhouse Friday - we're featuring you at tomorrow's party!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Michelle, I'm thrilled to hear they'll be featured tomorrow! Out of all the DIY pumpkins I've made over the years, these are still my favorite.
Delete