How To Make Hand Sewn Velvet Pumpkins

You can hand sew these pretty fabric pumpkins even if you do not know how to sew a straight stitch.

You can make your own Velvet pumpkins in a jiffy or use any fabric of your choosing, the steps are the same.

Don’t fret about the sewing, there are just a few stitches of thread you will sew by hand to make your own gorgeous Velvet pumpkins.

I’ve been admiring Velvet Pumpkins on Pinterest for several years! Now that I know how frugal and easy they are, I wonder why I waited so long to make my own.

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Table of Contents

• Velvet Pumpkin Craft Supply List
• Tools used for making fabric pumpkins
• How To Make Velvet Pumpkins
  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Step 3
  • Step 4
  • Step 5 Closing the top and adding the stem
• How to make a fabric stem
• How to make faux pumpkin stems
• Where To Find Cheap Velvet Fabric 
• Creative Fabric Pumpkin Shapes
• More DIY Fall Decor Ideas
• Favorite Fall Foods

Velvet Pumpkin Craft Supply List

• Fabric (thrift store blouses or dresses will work)
• Matching thread
• Pillow stuffing
• Sticks for the stem
• Dried peas or beans, to make the bottom weighted

Tools used for making fabric pumpkins

• Scissors
• Sewing needle
• Round Pizza pan for a large pumpkin template
• Dinner plate for small pumpkin template

How To Make Velvet Pumpkins

Step 1

Start by cutting a big circle of fabric.

If you use a dinner plate as your template, your result will be a pumpkin that will fit in the palm of your hand. I used a pizza pan as the template for my larger pumpkins. Only the deep blue pumpkin came from a dinner plate. It is the smallest one.

Step 2

Stitch around the outer edge with a simple straight stitch. This will allow you to be able to pull the thread tight creating the desired ruffles. Easy! You do not need sewing skills to make your own Velvet Pumpkins!

Next, Do NOT tie off the thread. Leave the needle and thread in place after stitching all the way around. Now, gently pull the thread back to create a wider opening to allow for stuffing.

Step 3

Add dried beans before stuffing to weigh the bottom down. It takes about a handful to do the job. I prefer pinto beans because they are heavier than peas.

I did three pumpkins with one bag of dried pinto beans.

Step 4

Now add the stuffing. The amount is up to you. The amount of stuffing you use will allow you to create your desired shape.

Step 5 Closing the top and adding the stem

Begin closing the top. After adding your desired amount of stuffing you will close the opening carefully. Leave it open just enough to barely insert a stick for the stem. 

Hot glue the stem of choice into place.

How to make a fabric stem

Cut a piece of fabric the length and width desired.

Fold it in half, right sides together, and stitch down one side to close. Leave one end open to stuff with the pillow stuffing.

Stuff. Sew the stem into place rather than use hot glue. Be careful, these are tight quarters and it’s easy to poke yourself, I know!

My biggest velvet pumpkin is copper, to match this year’s fireplace décor, with shiny orange faux stones embedded in the fabric. It was originally a cute blouse that I picked up at a thrift store.

How to make faux pumpkin stems

Pumpkins stem choices for Velvet or fabric pumpkins are vast. You can find faux pumpkin stems for sale online, scavenge real ones, use sticks, or a variety of creative choices.  Use your imagination and be creative.

I went with sticks from the yard for these Velvet Pumpkins. Sticks are free and picking them up helps clean the yard so that is a win-win, right?

You can also use paper bags torn into strips and twisted together to make pumpkin stems. You do need to stick with something lightweight for these fabric pumpkins.

Where To Find Cheap Velvet Fabric 

• Your closet. Remember that old New Year’s eve outfit from years ago?
• Someone else’s closet. Raid a close friend or family member’s closet! Well ok, you might want to ask first.
• Thrift store blouses. This is where most of my velvet came from. Always wash them before using the fabric.
• Fabric store (If you can spring for velvet, awesome. There are other selections which look like velvet but don’t cost as much)
• Clearance clothing racks

Creative Fabric Pumpkin Shapes

All pumpkins are not nice and round. I like those tall one’s too, don’t you? I used a sleeve from a blouse to make my tall velvet pumpkin. While adding the stuffing you can scrunch them down or fluff them out big. Be creative with the shapes.

Look at the shapes of these real pumpkins on our Fall front porch. I fell in love with that oddly colored squatty-shaped pumpkin when I first laid eyes on it!

More DIY Fall Decor Ideas

Favorite Fall Foods

Farmhouse Style Fall Candy Buffet

Candy Corn & Peanuts Snack Mix

Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix Recipe

Easy No Bake Sweet & Salty Halloween Dessert Bars

Cream Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin Spice Sweet Rolls Easy Recipe

Updated 8/27/22