I’ve been dying to make some of these velvet pumpkins for the last two years, but just never had the time to try them.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. They only take about 10 minutes each to make and are about as easy a craft as you’ve ever seen. I could have been swimming in velvet pumpkins by now.
Oh, and I did not use velvet. I guess that would be a big thing to mention.
At first I was going to use thrift store velvet dresses, but the only color I could find was black and I wasn’t in to black pumpkins right now (maybe for Halloween though). So I popped over to JoAnn Fabrics and just about scrapped the project when I found out that velvet is freaking EXPENSIVE.
While looking around, I found some crushed panne though that was very velvet-ish and on sale for only $2.49 a yard. I bought 1/2 yards each of three different colors, so I skipped out of JoAnn’s with $3.75 in fabric.
I have seen these pumpkins in stores for upwards of $35.00 each and I made mine for way, way under $5.00 a piece (so small that I, the Accountant, didn’t bother to break out the actual cost per pumpkin).
They really are so easy it’s silly.
Where To Buy Dried Pumpkin Stems
If you didn’t save your stems from last year’s pumpkins, you can buy dried pumpkin stems on Etsy. One of my favorite Etsy shops for stems is Perky Pumpkins. You can also use a chunky twig as a stem if you don’t want to use real pumpkin stems.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
How to Make Velvet Pumpkins
Supplies needed:
- fabric of your choosing – velvet, crushed panne, burlap or whatever the heck you like
- scissors
- needle and thread
- navy beans
- polyester fiber fill
- glue – I used E6000
- an old pumpkin stem (you could use a twig instead) or I found this vendor on etsy with pumpkin stems for sale
Instructions:
Use a dinner plate to draw a circle on the back of your fabric. Cut the circle out.
Thread your needle and make long stitches around the perimeter of the circle.
Contrary to what your mother told you, neatness does NOT count here. You are just stitching so that you can gather the fabric later, so you have my permission to be sloppy.
Lightly pull on the thread on each end to loosely gather up the fabric.
Put some navy beans in the bottom of the pumpkin. This gives the pumpkins a little weight and also helps to keep them from rolling around when the dog walks by.
Add some fiber fill to puff it up a bit. If you don’t have fiber fill, I’m sure you could use cotton balls or pantyhose (if you have any lying around from 1984).
Once filled, tighten up your opening and tie a knot in the thread.
Use your glue to stick the pumpkin stem to the top.
And you’re done in less than ten minutes!
They are so SUPER SIMPLE to make though! You got this!
If you like this you may also like:
Fall Porch Decor Farmhouse Style
Shabby chic Sandy
Those turned out great! Crushed Panne was the perfect choice–kinda like it better than velvet.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
Beautiful, Pam! They don’t look any different than the “velvet” ones seen around. Love the colors, too.
Ann from On Sutton Place
Oh my gosh these are awesome! You could make serious money if you sold these. I had checked the price of velvet myself…I got an idea to make some pillow covers but quickly decided not to when I saw the price. If I ever see any for a reasonable amount I’ll let you know. Love the crushed velvet you used.
Nici - Posed Perfection
These turned out adorable! I have had a hard time finding a suitable fabric to use. I’ll have to check JoAnn’s. Thanks for the tip.
Blessings,
Nici
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
I love your pumpkins. I want to make some too but I wanted to wait until I had some real stems. I will save mine this year.
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
Just went through the fall posts on your sidebar. Love your blog!
Sea Witch
Gorgeous. They are selling for about $28.00 each in the Atlanta area.
Keeping it Cozy
You may have just convinced me to make some velvet pumpkins! I love them.
Cozy Little House
Looks like velvet to me. Regardless, they are beautiful! I must attempt this next year.
Brenda
susie @ persimmon moon cottage
Perfect panne pumpkins! If you wouldn’t have told us, I would have thought they were made of velvet. But as I look closer, I like these better. What a cute display. Your birdbath pumpkin looks familiar, I displayed my real pumpkin in the birdbath for years. It makes the perfect pumpkin perch, and at my house really shows up from the street. Thanks for telling us about using panne for pumpkins.
Robin
So pretty! I’ve been wanting to make some also but it’s wayyyyy down on the list. Maybe next year. LOL.
Jane
These are adorable and I am dying to find the time to attempt this project! So many ideas….so little time. I know you can relate!!!
Kim K.
Brilliant! These little beauties can last way after Halloween right into Thanksgiving. Love them!!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
I love them and yours are so fabulous. Great colors. Hugs, Marty
Olive Cooper
Super cute Pam. I was looking at some on etsy last night and they were too pricey for me. Now you will have me looking for velvet dresses in thrift stores:}
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OoooOooo I have a green velveteen dress I never wear…time for the pumpkin chopping block for it maybe! Love these Pam and I love the price. Good going! We have all got to start doing the Nike commercials and Just Do It!! Check your pumpkins off your list…too cute!
Debby
Yours came out great. I want to make some as well. I saved the stems from last year. I need to get fabric. Yours looks like velvet.
I hope your son is feeling better.
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Crushed panne! I would have never known they weren’t velvet if you hadn’t told us. Great job and super thrifty!
Vickie @ Ranger 911
I love your pumpkins!!! I attempted to make them without any instructions last year and they turned out baaaad. The “velvet” I bought was stretchy. Is yours? They kept getting bigger and bigger as I stuffed them. The whole darn mess of overgrown pumpkins went right in the garbage.
I’m on my way to the tutorial.
Thank you!!!
LizlovesVintage
I just saw your on FB. this afternoon!! Wow, you copycat!! LOL! Pam, these are great and for $5.00 even better. Are you taking orders? I’ll take two.
Have a wonderful week,
xxx Liz
Melinda
So pretty! Great job.
M 🙂
Tricia
Wow, these turned out great, Pam! This probably sounds kind of odd, but I really like the stems…for me that’s an important thing in pumpkin selection 🙂
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
OH, I love the fabric you used, Pam! Makes me want to try making some!
Roslyn
Wonderful post & I am going to make these just as soon as I can leave this bed & walk around Joann’s! But that also means I have to buy real pumpkins or they will not look nearly as fine as yours do. Well after halloween pumpkins will be very cheap!
Thanks for an adorable idea!
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I’m lovin’ your blog and lovin’ this project! Thanks for sharing on the link party. Just book marked you and will be checking back often. Your pic’s are beautiful and love your sense of humor!
Marie Blackburn
Pam these are downright adorable! Thanks for the awesome tutorial…I must have some of these on my mantle this Fall 🙂
[email protected] Interior Frugalista
Anonymous
I used potpourri in a pumpkin scent for part of the stuffing. Now they are beautiful and smell great too.
**** April ****
Love love love these! Pinned on pinterest and included on my blog of fall crafts I want to do!
Lorraine Castellon-Rowe
You are a genius!!! Seriously, I’ve seen these darn pumpkins everywhere and you’re right for $35 to $50 bucks!! Now I can make my own!!! You ROCK!! Thans so much!!
Pam
You’re welcome Lorraine!
Lisalisa
I have also used mini door knobs for the stem. Makes them look Victorian!
Wilhelmina
Love your pumpkins, so easy to make only if I can buy the materials here in Canada.