DIY Shabby Chic Fabric Pumpkin
The perfect shabby chic ruffled fabric pumpkin to craft for autumn using a pumpkin from the dollar tree
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How to Make a DIY Shabby Chic Ruffled Fabric Pumpkin
Have you ever seen those orange styrofoam-ish pumpkins from the Dollar Tree and wondered what you could do with them?
I have and because they're cute and only $1.25, I would buy them and then sometimes, they literally just stayed in the bag or *sigh* I would just put them out as is. Ala carte. No DIY. Not even a bow stuck with a straight pin into the little green foam stem.
I know, that's sort of a DIY'er no-no but it was either during a time of depression, for real, when I only decorated because I didn't want my guys to think I didn't care or when I really had no idea what to do with them.
So, when I saw an idea and tutorial to make a ruffly fabric pumpkin YEARS ago, I knew I wanted to make one.
I love the Shabby Chic style but sometimes it's hard to add it to your autumn décor - until now! This DIY Shabby Chic Fabric Pumpkin is so easy to make and costs less than $2.00!
I bought almost everything I needed at the Dollar Tree with the exception of the fabric, but I have seen some somewhat flimsy dish towels there and I'm wondering if those would work.
What do you think?
Or, you could just go to the fabric store and buy some muslin. I think it's under $1.00 a yard...so, technically, it would also be a dollar-ish craft item.
I would love to say that this was my idea, but it wasn't. My inspiration came from 20 North Ora - I followed her directions almost to a T so please visit her site to see the original but below are the steps I took.
I'm not sure if they make smaller ones, but if they do, it would be cute to make a bunch of these and put them on a farmhouse fall tray like this one.
How To Make an Inexpensive Shabby Chic Pumpkin with Items from the Dollar Tree
DIY Shabby Chic Fabric Pumpkin
Equipment
- Sewing Machine - I have a very basic Brother sewing machine similar to this one and love it for basic sewing tasks.
Supplies
- Mini Styrofoam pumpkin from the dollar tree.
- Muslin fabric - ½ yard
- Thread the same color as the muslin fabric
- Hot Glue Gun
- Cinnamon Sticks
- White paint to cover the orange of the pumpkin
Instructions
- If desired, paint pumpkin first to cover the orange. I didn't and I debate whether or not I should have so this step is entirely up to you.
- Rip the muslin from edge to edge into 1 ½ inch strips. I made a small snip with sharp scissors 1 ½ inches apart the length of the muslin. Use the entire ½ yard of fabric for a nice fluffy pumpkin.
- Sew a long-running stitch, nice and loose, (nothing tight) down the center of each strip the entire length of the
strip. Now, gently pull one side of the thread only to create a ruffled effect as tight or loose as you would like. I chose to make mine over ruffly and therefore pulled the running stitch tightly. - Now start gluing the strips nice and tight next to each other from the top of the pumpkin down across the bottom and up to the other side.
- Add cinnamon sticks to the center for the stem and glue leaves around the stem. I added a hand-stamped tag just for a little something extra but that is totally optional.
As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.
More Pumpkin Crafts and Some Recipes:
I made this pumpkin years ago and still look forward to getting it out every year.
Do you have something that you can't wait to get out every year to decorate for fall?
If you make one of these, I would LOVE for you to share the pic with me - feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at marybeth @ the how to home (dot) com
Love these! (can I admit to you that I don't like most of the fabric pumpkins out there?) But these are fab!
Thanks so much, Steph ~ something about this just hit me....it was so easy, quick and inexpensive to make and the results were just so darn cute! I think I may make some more just because! Have a wonderful weekend. mb
Fabulous job MaryBeth. I just Love your shabbychicness lil pumpkin copy. So happy you joined the parties. Have fun!
Adorable! I love it...so festive. I'd be thrilled if you'd share it here:
https://www.oneartsymama.com/2012/09/shine-on-fridays-47-and-michaels-gift.html
I love this! So pretty. I hope you will link this up to my Wickedly Creative Halloween Ideas Party if you haven't already.
https://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/09/2012-wickedly-creative-halloween-ideas.html
Thank you, Lindy...and thanks for the invite ~ I would love to link this up at your party. : )
That seriously is one of the cutest, prettiest pumpkins ever!! I love it!! ~ Lori
Thank you, Lori! I want a whole patch of them. : )
Oh I absolutely LOVE it, it's so sweet. Love how you've used the leaves and the cinnamon sticks...you clever thing!
I usually don't get into pumpkin stuff because I don't celebrate halloween. I love fall stuff but most of the anything pumpkin is more geared toward halloween. But I absolutely love your fabric pumpkin. Just looking at it made me feel good. I could smell the cinnamon stick and feel the softness of the muslin just from the wonderful photos you took. I can see these decorating up my Thanksgiving. Thank you so much for sharing and the wonderful job you always do. Your dedication to creativity is inspiring! As always looking forward to more!!!!
Thanks, Julia ~ I always appreciate your comments and your support! Have a wonderful week. mb
I love this! So sweet!
Thanks, Holly! : )
Hi Mary Beth! New follower, stopping in to invite you to my first, weekly Blog Hop! I’d love to have you link up with us!
https://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/09/clever-chicks-blog-hop-1.html
Cheers,
Kathy
The Chicken Chick
HI! I was just wondering if you could give me the link to the instructions to make this little beauty? I would love love love to make some for my home! Thanks in advance!
Hi Ashley,
I saw this on 20 North Ora and that is where the tutorial is. Here's the link:
Much success and thank you for stopping by! mb
Super super cute!
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment. Have a wonderful week, mb. : )
So very smitten as well! I'd take a million photos too!
This is adorable!
This is adorable!
Love the way you used the fabric to cover the pumpkin.
Michele @ Better organized living.
Thanks so much, Michele!
Love your fabric pumpkin, so cute looking! Really adorable and love that you used a cinnamon stick. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
Thanks, Cathy ~ I always love your party!
very pretty, love it. Thanks for linking, jen
This pumpkin you made is lovely--I love the cinnamon sticks for the stem!
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Athena! hugs, mb
Love thiis idea. Thanks for sharing! I visit from @ALDERBERRY HILL LINKY PARTY. There a lot of pumpkins out there and these are very very original and elegant.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Nat ~ have a lovely week and I hope you stop by again! mary beth
Visiting from M.M.M. This is such a cute idea. It turned out lovely! Thanks for sharing. I would love if you would share this (and some of your other fun projects) over at my link party going on right now.
https://sewingbarefoot.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-weekly-creative-2.html
Thanks! Have a nice day 🙂
Shannon
Sewing Barefoot
I love love love your Shabby pumpkins. I looked for the tutorial but can't find it. Can you direct me?
Thanks so much
Hi, Venie ~ thank you so much! I followed the tutorial by Judy at ~ the directions were so easy to follow and it's a nice quick craft to make! Have a wonderful week. mary beth
So gorgeous your pumpkin!! Thanks for sharing.
Have a nice week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Thank you, Ana ~ you have a wonderful week as well...I hope to see you on Sunday for the weekly party. hugs, mb
She's darling and so photogenic!! I just love her! Thanks fo rthe link to the tutorial! I'm now following you! =) Deanna
Thank you so much, Deanna ~ she is a bit of a diva....once she saw me with the camera she just kept 'strikin' a pose' : )
Thank you for taking the time to comment and for following! Have a wonderful week. hugs, mb
Thank you, Gabby! Have a lovely week ~ hugs, mb
That turned out great! So pretty.
Thank you so much!
I love the ruffles Mary Beth -- so sweet, elegant and feminine!
Jenn
Love your pumpkin! Too cute! I'd like to invite you to share it at my Twirl & Take a Bow party at http://www.houseontheway.com. Hope you can join in on the fun!
Leslie
wow MB this is so cute-- etsy store! you'd make a mint!
Thank you, Malia ~ maybe I should consider selling them!
I will buy one! They are adorable...
Your pumpkin is just beautiful!!!
Thank you, Gwen! I appreciate that.
That is suuuuuuper cute!
Thank you, Rhonda, and thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. (I love comments!) hugs, mb
Thank you for this - I'm in the mood for something more neutral this year, too! Glad I found your link in the Live Laugh Rowe party!
Thanks so much, Kathie ~ have a wonderful week and thank you very much for stopping by! hugs, mb
I really like your pumpkin! What a fun way to decorate for fall! And what a great addition this would make to my mantel
Thanks so much for inspiring me today!
karianne
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment, Karianne! Have a lovely weekend. mb
I am visiting from Two Yellow Birds. I love your shabby pumpkin, it would look great with my decor!
Hugs, Penny
Oh my- I just love that!!!!! Thanks for the inspiration!
She's beautiful! I love all the pictures, and she's a great way to decorate with the season without having the tradiational colors. Love it!
This is so cute! Would love if you would come by and share it at One More Time Linky Party
https://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2012/10/share-it-one-more-time-link-party-and_4.html
Thanks so much for the invite, Tammy ~ I would love to share. Have a wonderful weekend! hugs, mb
she is a beauty thanks for sharing
Thank you for hosting such a fun party! Have a great weekend. hugs, mb
Super cute pumpkins! I never tire of seeing them, and made in so many different ways.
JoAnn
Thank you, JoAnn!
This is so cute!
Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Mal ~ it means a lot to me!
Have a wonderful weekend! hugs, mb
Thanks for linking up at Create & Inspire last week. Tonight we're featuring YOU! Can't wait to see what you have to link up this week! xo, Kimberly
Thank you so much for the feature, Kimberly! I truly appreciate it.
Have a wonderful weekend! hugs, mb
I love this! I have tons of muslin and this is the perfect craft for it. Did you use the same pumpkin base that Judy did?
Hi Charmaine,
I did use the same pumpkin base as Judy. I saw them again this week at Dollar Tree.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs, mb
They are so cute! Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
This is Gorgeous! I just adore the sweet shabby chic look! Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. I am featuring this today! https://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2012/10/pink-hippo-party-99.html
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus
Thanks so much for linking up to Made With Love! Your pumpkin is adorable! Featuring you today! https://sewchatty.blogspot.com/2012/10/made-with-love-link-up.html
Thanks so much for thinking up to Made With Love! Your pumpkin is fabulous! I'm featuring you today! https://sewchatty.blogspot.com/2012/10/made-with-love-link-up.html
Love this! Absolutely adorable!
My husband hates my fake plastic pumpkins. He might approve of yours. It doesn't matter either way because I think they are adorable.
Just gorgeous!
Thank you, Katie!
Hi, Mary Beth! Thank you so much for linking your gorgeous shabby pumpkin up at the Primp Your Pumpkin Party! Just wanted to let you know that I featured you today! Hope you are having a wonderful week!
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real
Hi Mary Beth,
Just wanted to stop by and let you know you have been featured at One More Time,,,https://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2012/10/features.html Thank you for linkin up!
Tammy
I just love this shabby chic pumpkin. In fact, I, just like you, ADORE pumpkins. Winter, spring, summer and fall I will be decorating pumpkins. I'll be visiting your blog often!!
I have a special Halloween spotlight running today and I've featured your project.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful creation at homework.
This shabby chic pumpkin is adorable; it brings a new twist to Halloween! I love the shabby chic look and I am always looking for ideas on how to decorate and make accessories, thanks!
Mary Beth, This is absolutely adorable! I'm so glad I found it! ~Tammy~
This turned out ADORABLE! I love it.
Thanks so much, Gina!
I missed this last year! Wow, I love your muslin pumkin and your name, Shabby Chic Pumpkin, is perfect for it! I've pinned, not missing it this year!
Debbie 🙂
Thanks for the sweetness, Debbie! Have a great week.
Mary Beth
What a cute little pumpkin, I love it!