How to Make a Picture for a Pumpkin Carving Template

By creating a template, you can carve almost any design on your Halloween pumpkin.

Carved pumpkins for Halloween traditionally have depicted scary or silly faces and other simple Halloween designs. Branching out into skulls, skeletons and witches gives you more options as a pumpkin carver, but you may wish to make your pumpkins more personalized. A pumpkin can be carved to show almost any design you wish, from favorite characters and designs depicting hobbies to fancy designs and motifs. By creating a pumpkin-carving template from scratch, you can give your Halloween decor a more personal look and create interesting conversation pieces for the holiday.

Things You'll Need

• Computer and printer, photograph or photocopy
• Tracing paper
• Pen or pencil

Instructions

1. Decide what you would like to carve on your pumpkin. You are not limited to Halloween-themed designs. Consider your favorite movies and television shows or favorite hobbies when searching for designs.

2. Once you have decided on the design you would like on your pumpkin, find a picture that you would like to carve. The image could come from the Internet or a book or other printed medium. If you are not experienced at pumpkin carving, choose a design that does not have a lot of small areas and intricate cuts to make carving easier for you.

3. If you're using a computer, print out a clear copy of the design you chose. Be sure the outer lines are visible enough that you can use them as a transfer template later.

4. If you're using a picture from a book or other medium, place your tracing paper over the design. Using your pen or pencil, trace the lines in the picture until you have replicated the design you want on your pumpkin.

5. You also may make a photocopy of the picture you plan to use. Just make sure the copy you have made is clear enough to use as a transfer for your pumpkin.

References

• Pumpkin Carving 101: Pumpkin Carving with Stencils

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish