How to Make Primitive Country Pumpkins

Choose fabric that contains at least a hint of orange and has a primitive, "country" feel.

Welcome autumn to your home with primitive country pumpkins. Instead of spending a lot of money to purchase them from a gift shop, make your own. This is a great craft to do with children. Fill a basket full of these pumpkins and set them in the middle of your Thanksgiving table, or make a lot of the pumpkins and sell them at a local fall bazaar. They are sure to be a hit with your guests and everyone who sees them.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric (one 8 1/2-by-11 1/2-inch piece for each pumpkin)
• Needle and thread
• Dried beans or rice
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Stick
• Raffia
• Silk autumn leaves
• Fabric scraps
• Buttons

Instructions

1. Choose fabric with a touch of orange in it.

2. Turn the fabric upside down so that the plain side is facing you. Bring the short sides of the fabric together, and stitch them closed. Then, sew the bottom of the fabric closed. You should end up with a "tube" of fabric.

3. Turn the fabric right-side out, and fill it with beans or rice. Leave about 3 inches of empty space at the top.

4. Insert a stick into the pumpkin for the "stem", and gather together the 3 inches of fabric around the stem. Stitch the fabric closed around the stick.

5. Place hot glue around the stem and also on the bottom of the pumpkin to seal it extra-tight. Otherwise, grains of rice or small beans might escape through the seams.

6. Tie a raffia bow to the stem of the pumpkin, and use your hot glue gun to attach the silk fall leaves. Use scraps of fabric and more hot glue to attach "patches" to your pumpkin. Add decorative buttons on the patches if you wish.

References

• Primitive Country Pumpkins

Resources

• Primitive Pumpkin and Crow Pattern