How to Make a Pumpkin From Recycled Textiles

Recycle all those textiles you have accumulated, into cozy fall decor for years to come. Bedspreads, tablecloths, quilts, men's suits, draperies and dresses can all receive new life with a little reconstruction to create recycled textile pumpkins. Use all those scraps of batting left over from various quilt projects to economically stuff your textile pumpkins for true recycling. Laces and trims from old textiles add a bit of whimsy to the neck of the pumpkin and adding a bit of quilt to the front, in the shape of a star, is a wonderful finishing touch. This recycled textile pumpkin is very easy to make. Once you make one, you will be hunting for more options to recycle.

Things You'll Need

• Orange and brown textiles
• Scraps of batting or stuffing
• 4-inch stick from your yard, about 1 inch thick
• 24-inch recycled lace trim
• Raffia
• Crochet thread
• Tapestry needle
• Small scraps of old quilt
• 4" star pattern
• Tea bag
• Craft glue
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pins

Instructions

1. Cut two 9-by-14-inch pieces of your chosen recycled textile for the pumpkin.

2. Place the two 9-by-14-inch pieces together with the right sides facing, and pin. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance on two 14-inch sides and one 9-inch side for the bottom.

3. Match the bottom 9-inch seam with a side 14-inch seam and sew across, creating a 3 1/2-inch boxed bottom. Repeat for the opposite bottom seam and opposite side. Trim off the triangles in the corners and turn the pumpkin bag right side out.

4. Cut scraps of batting left over from other projects for the stuffing. Lay the batting on a cutting mat and run a rotary cutter back and forth over the batting to create small bits.

5. Fill the recycled textile pumpkin bag firmly with the cut bits of batting. Leave 3 inches unstuffed.

6. Sew a running stitch using the crochet thread and tapestry needle, 1 1/2 inches below the top edge of the pumpkin bag. Insert the stem stick. Gather the top of the pumpkin bag around the stem and finish off the crochet thread with a knot.

7. Trace a star on a scrap of old quilt and cut out.

8. Brew a cup of tea. Saturate the recycled lace trim and the star in the tea. Wring out and allow the lace and star to dry.

9. Tie a bundle of raffia and the tea-dyed recycled lace trim around the stem of the pumpkin, covering the crochet thread gathers.

10. Apply craft glue to the back of the tea-dyed star and place it on the front and center of the recycled textile pumpkin.

Tips & Warnings

• If an old quilt is not available, an old recycled mattress pad works well.

• Add cinnamon scent with essential oil.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish