How to Make Your Own Jack-O-Lantern Stencil
Designing the face for your jack-o-lantern can be just as much fun as carving it into the pumpkin. Deciding on a particular face before cutting will help prevent irreversible mistakes that may produce more of a funky jack-o-lantern, rather than a frightening one. Before you take a knife to pumpkin, plan your design on paper for a symmetrical and spooky Halloween prop.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Computer
- Internet access
- Masking tape
- Transfer tool or long nail
- Knife or carving saw
Instructions
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Draw a design for your jack-o-lantern onto a piece of paper. Alternatively, you can print off a design from the Internet.
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2
Modify the design so that it stays within the appropriate dimensions of the pumpkin. Re-size the image and print or draw again, if necessary.
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3
Attach the stencil to your pumpkin with masking tape until it is securely in place.
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4
Press small holes through the paper stencil and just barely through the outer layer of pumpkin rind as you follow the lines of the design. Use a transfer tool or the sharp end of a long nail and space the holes approximately 1/8 inch apart.
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5
Remove the stencil from the pumpkin and use a knife or carving tool to cut out the design made from your very own jack-o-lantern stencil.
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Tips & Warnings
Cut in a back-and-forth motion when using a carving saw.
Apply some petroleum jelly to all cut edges when you are done carving to lengthen the life of your jack-o-lantern.
Jack-o-lantern carving should always be done with the supervision of an adult.
Always cut away from yourself to avoid injury.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit three jack-o-lanterns image by Trevor Allen from Fotolia.com
