Tutorial Tuesday!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins!!! That is what today's tutorial is all about! Hope you enjoy!



FABRIC PUMPKINS
Supplies:



*Fabric of your choice (homespun, wool, chenille, etc.)
*Embroidery Floss
*Polyester Fiberfill
*3" Stick for stem
*Spanish Moss and/or Green Moss
*Artificial leaves (I like small ones)
*Rusty Wire
*Circle Template (I used a dinner plate)
*Coffee Stain
*Optional: Craft Paints (Orange, Brown, Antique White)



Directions:
First, take your fabric (I am using an old chenille bedspread)and mark your circle templates on it; cut them out.




Next, we are going to stitch around the outside edge in order to be able to close up our pumpkins. So, We need to do a "running stitch" all around the outer edge of your circle. This is just taking your thread and going "in & out" thru your fabric til you have come all around and back to the beginning. I use all 6 strands for this so it is good and strong.




Now, we are going to close up your circle some. This is easy, just take your "beginning" end and your "ending" end and pull it together. It will now start to form into a little sachet. Leave this open enough as we are going to "stuff" it with fiberfill.
(sorry forgot to take pix of this step)



Time to start making this look like a Pumpkin...STUFFING TIME! Take you fiberfill and start stuffing it into your pumpkin a little at a time. I like to pull apart little pieces and stuff it in, it just gets fluffier that way I think.



Once you have stuffed it enough (don't over stuff it!) pull your strings completely closed and tie it in several knots to secure; leaving a small hole in the center for your "stem". Be careful when pulling this together, if you do it to fast or too hard the thread will break. So, do this step slowly & carefully.



Now, we are going to give some added dimension to your pumpkins by giving your pumpkins little sections. Take you Embrodery Floss and stitch down thru the center and then pull up and around the top of your pumpkin, then back down thru the center again. I like to give my pumpkins 5 sections.




Next, we need to give your Pumpkins some color. This part is for those that are made with Muslin, Chenille, or any fabric that has no color. I take and use my Coffee Stain and mix 3/4 Coffee with and 1/4 paint; just enough to add some color,and this will be really watery but it is acting as a stain now not paint. If you add to much paint your pumpkins become hard, so you don't need alot of paint in your Coffee Stain. If your Pumpkins are already made with colored fabric, just coffee stain them to just "age" them out some. I do dry mine in the oven at 300 degrees on a foil lined cookie sheet. Just make sure you check them often!



Lastly, Time for the finishing touches! This is the best part, I think. First, take your hot glue and add some of your Moss to the top of the Pumpkin. Next, add some more glue to the center hole of your Pumpkin and shove your stick "stem" down in. Add a small artificial leaf and Rusty Wire (that you curled around a pencil) with some glue as well. You Pumpkin is complete! Hope you enjoy!