Pages

Friday

Make Your Own Sweater Pumpkins with No Glue and No Sewing



The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

I grew up with a big orange cat (think Garfield-looking) who was named, Pumpkin. I've seen many pictures of myself as a baby, with Pumpkin the cat laying beside me. Pumpkin loved me and I loved him. Pumpkin would choose my bed to sleep on every night. He would snuggle against my leg and purr as I slept. Pumpkin would come to me first, to be petted and brushed. Pumpkin wasn't allowed on the couch, so as I sat on the couch, he would plop his body on my feet--just hoping I would scoop him up and put him in my lap. Pumpkin and I were buds. I remember being so sad when we finally had to put Pumpkin to sleep, when I was in middle school. Oh, Pumpkin, I miss you!  Hold on, let me grab a tissue.
I find it so interesting that all these childhood memories came back to me when I started crafting up these sweater pumpkins. I wonder if the soft orange sweater triggered my memory?  Not sure.  Whew!  I didn't mean to get all emotional over a pumpkin craft.

Let's move on, shall we?
The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Oh yes, sweater pumpkins.  Soft, cute and did I mention EASY! I only do easy crafts and this one totally qualifies.
Just follow the steps and you'll be crafting up your own sweater pumpkins in no time...oh, I should mention, they're addicting!  Make one, and you won't be able to stop!  They're so fun!

**If you're more a video watcher, instead of a read the directions type, scroll down for the video link.



The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Step 1: Find an old sweater or buy one at a thrift store. Solid colors are the easiest. Soft and fluffy ones are my favorite!
Step 2: Using a Sharpie, trace around a paper plate (or anything round) directly on the sweater. Any size works, I used a 12" paper plate for my pumpkins. Feel free to go smaller or bigger.
Step 3: Cut out the circle.

The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Step 4: Pour about 1/4 cup of beans onto the center of the sweater circle. The beans help weigh down your pumpkin and sit right. (You could use other colors of beans as well.)
Step 5: Add stuffing on top of the beans. I used two full handfuls. Use as much as you can for poufy pumpkins.
Step 6: Gather the sides of the circle around the stuffing, stretching the sweater into a round ball, holding the ends in your hand.

The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Step 7:  Hold the ends tightly, checking to see that all the edges are pulled up.
Step 8:  Tie a rubber band tightly to hold the shape.
Step 9:  Cut 4 pieces of twine that can extend all the way around both sides of the pumpkin. Lay the pieces out like the image in picture #9.

The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Step 10:  Place pumpkin on top of the cut twine pieces.
Step 11:  Gather the twine pieces up along the sides of the pumpkin, holding them in your hands.
Step 12:  Secure the twine pieces with a rubber band.  This goes right over the first rubber band.

The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Step 13:  Adjust the twine pieces evenly and pull them tightly to make spines around the pumpkin.  Tie another rubber band around the top edges to keep the pieces out of your way.
Step 14:  Tie on twine, keeping it attached to the roll. You can also hold back to two long pieces of twine, to make vines.
Step 15:  Tightly, wrap the twine around and around the sweater fabric pieces, creating a stem.

The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Step 16: Pull tightly as you wrap covering up the two rubber bands.
Step 17:  When stem is the length you like, tie off tightly and trim the excess material.
Step 18:  Trim evenly to make a flat top to your stem.
The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

(Optional) I know I told you no glue, I sort of stretched the truth ...but you don't HAVE to do this step!
Step 19:  Use glue or Mod Podge to curl your vines.
Step 20:  Rub glue over the twine to be curled.
Step 21:  Curl the gluey twine around a Sharpie marker and hold until it takes shape.

The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Step 22:  Release twine from Sharpie. Re-curl if needed.
Step 23:  (Optional) Print and tie on a Pumpkin tag.
Step 24:  Give away pumpkin or keep for yourself and enjoy!


The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

 Click here to print your own pumpkin tags. 
I printed my tags on kraft cardstock.  They could be printed on white cardstock as well.



The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.

Try making all different sizes!  Have fun!
I'd love to see how your sweater pumpkins turn out. Drop me a note or a picture.

VIDEO**To watch a video on how I made these, click here. 
The easiest way to make sweater pumpkins with no sewing and no glue.






Want another simple pumpkin idea?
Try these Pumpkin Placecard Holders made from Dollar Store supplies.


Or how about these sewn up paper sack leaves?


No comments:

Post a Comment