This DIY fabric pumpkin is a perfect fast and easy craft to add to your fall decor plans! I love that it uses just scrap items I already have on hand, and that always handy roll of toilet paper. Who knew such a standard household item could be so useful?!
If you want more pumpkin decorations for your home, make sure to check out this easy and cute pumpkin-themed button wall art piece I made!
DIY Fabric Pumpkin Fall Decor
When decorating for any season, I always look at the things in my house first. There are so many items lying around that I can repurpose into a fun decoration or addition to my home. One of my more recent ideas was to use an old straw hat I had in my closet to make a lady scarecrow to display on my front door. So, when I saw this scrap fabric in my craft room, my brain started churning out a new craft idea.
The fabric scrap wasn't enough material to cover a table or make a set of cloth napkins from, but it was enough to wrap into a pumpkin shape. Figuring out what to wrap it around was simple, and the next thing I knew, I had a cute little plaid fabric pumpkin!
Do I have to use Toilet Paper for This Project?
No, you don't have to use a roll of toilet paper for this project, but it is the easiest method and something you already have on hand in your home. You could use a small glass bowl, a candle, styrofoam balls, or any number of other unique items to shape your pumpkin.
I find that the toilet paper roll offers ease for stuffing the fabric inside and giving a nice fluffy layer to shape my pumpkin, but you can experiment with other items you have on hand. Just remember that to provide the fullness, you will need to wrap it in extra fabric or just strips of toilet paper like with this method.
Where Can I Find Scrap Fabric Pieces?
As I do a lot of sewing and crafting, I almost always have scrap fabric pieces laying around in my craft room. I realize, though, that not everyone has a lot of fabric as I do. So you may need tips for finding ways to make this without buying a huge piece of fabric. Some of my favorite ways to find scrap fabric pieces are to look in my closet and the bargain bins at fabric or craft stores.
Craft stores almost always have small pieces of fabric leftover from ends of rolls. Ask for their bargain bin and shop from there. You can mix and match patterns and solids to create what is needed when a single piece isn't large enough.
In my closet, I can look at old t-shirts, shirts, or skirts that I no longer wear or that are beginning to wear down. All I have to do with those is trim off holes and zippers or buttons. They are suddenly perfect for various crafts! For some projects, including this fabric pumpkin idea, you can even leave zippers or buttons in place. Just wrap the fabric around the toilet paper.
Tips for Displaying my Fabric Pumpkin
As you have probably figured out, I love homemade fall decor. There are so many ideas out there for rustic arrangements! This fabric pumpkin is a new favorite because I can make it match anything I already have on hand.
You can match the colors of your fabric with the colors in the yarn of this pumpkin garland fall decor idea. Then make a few fabric pumpkins to display on the mantle above the garland as accents. You could even place some candles or update these farmhouse lanterns with fall-themed accents and add to the mantle.
Another fun idea would be to match the colors to this pear decoration and add it amongst other fake fruit and vegetables as a centerpiece for your dining table.
Supplies Needed
- Toilet paper
- Fabric
- Twig or small branch
- Scissors
How to Make a Fabric Pumpkin
Begin by gathering your supplies on your workstation. I recommend a square of fabric at least 12"x12". You can work with more or less, but that is my minimum for this project.
To begin, you will start unraveling your toilet paper a few times. I did this about ten times to create enough to fluff out the fabric, so it has a rounded shape.
You'll then wrap that unwrapped toilet paper loosely around the rest of the roll, so it has a round pumpkin shape.
Once you have trimmed your fabric into a square shape, you will begin the wrapping process. You will place the toilet paper on top of a piece of scrap fabric. Begin pulling the fabric up from each corner and stuff the loose ends inside the middle of the toilet paper roll. I always begin with the corners, then stuff the rest in as I am able.
Your final step will be to push the branch or twig down the center of the fabric and to attach leaves if desired. I used scrap burlap, but you can use alternate colors of fabric, felt, or even artificial leaves.
Video Tutorial:
Printable Step by Step Tutorial:
DIY Fabric Pumpkin Fall Decor
A DIY fabric pumpkin is an easy to make fall decor idea that uses scrap fabric, a simple roll of toilet paper, and your imagination!
Materials
- Scrap fabric
- Toilet paper
- Twig or branch
- Burlap, fabric, or artificial leaves
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- Begin by placing your supplies on your workstation;
- Next, you will make sure your fabric is in a square shape. You can fold one corner over to form a triangle, and trim any excess fabric off the edge of the triangle. When you unfold this, it will be a square.
- Begin unwrapping/unraveling your roll of toilet paper about ten times to create a loose amount of paper;
- Next, you will loosely wrap that unwrapped toilet paper around the roll to create a fluffy pumpkin shape;
- Place the toilet paper in the center of the scrap fabric and begin pulling the fabric up and stuffing into the roll;
- I begin with the corners, and then stuff the rest into the center as I am able, folding fabric to create pleats if necessary; Once all of the fabric is in place, you will push the twig or branch down the center;
- You may add leaves at the top using scrap fabric, burlap, or artificial leaves.
Recommended Products
My favorite Etsy Fall Decorations.
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