Turn old clothes into Fall decor. DIY upcycled fabric pumpkins #sustainablecraft #diycrafts #diy, by Rudens Craft Studio on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a soft garment such as a T-shirt, knit sweater or baby grow. Stretchy jersey gathers most easily. Wash and dry it first, then lay it flat on a table.
Cut a circle from the fabric with sharp scissors. A circle 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) across makes a small pumpkin. Cut roughly twice the width of the finished size.
Thread your needle and sew a running stitch all the way around the circle, about 1 cm (half an inch) in from the edge. Leave a long thread tail at each end.
Pull both thread ends gently to gather the circle into a shallow bowl shape. Do not cut the thread yet.
Stuff the pouch with polyester filling or felt scraps. Push it in firmly and evenly, but leave a small gap at the top edge.
Pull the thread tight to close the opening and tie a firm knot. Tuck the raw edges inside before you knot it off.
Wrap strong thread or twine around the pumpkin from top to bottom and back again. Pull tight to create 6 to 8 segments, then knot at the top.
Glue a cinnamon stick, twig or rolled felt scrap into the top as a stem. Add a small felt leaf if you like, then fluff the segments into shape.
Tips and common mistakes
Use double thread or dental floss for the gathering and segment wraps so it does not snap when you pull tight.
Stuff the pumpkin firmly before wrapping, otherwise the segments look flat and sag after a day.
Cut slowly with sharp fabric scissors and keep your fingers behind the blade, especially on small baby clothes.
Save the leftover sleeves and hems to cut into leaves or to stuff a second, smaller pumpkin.
Questions
How much fabric do I need for one pumpkin?
One adult T-shirt gives enough fabric for two or three small pumpkins. A single baby grow or a sleeve from a sweater is enough for one 20 cm pumpkin.
Can I make this without a sewing machine?
Yes, the whole project is hand-sewn with a simple running stitch. A machine only speeds up the first gathering line, which is short anyway.
What can I use instead of polyester stuffing?
Felt scraps, fabric offcuts, old socks or clean rags all work. Chop them small so the pumpkin keeps an even, round shape.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
