Learn to sew a fabric pumpkin with this pumpkin pattern in 3 sizes. Add a touch of fall to your home decor with this easy fabric pumpkin pattern!
This tutorial on how to sew a fabric pumpkin originally appeared on September 25, 2020. It has been updated to include new photographs.
Like a lot of you, I just love fall. I love the cooler weather. I love the changing of the colors. I love all the acorns, Buckeyes and other tree nuts that the trees give up so plentifully.
I also love the pumpkins and so enjoy incorporating these pieces of nature in my home decor, don't you?
Last year, I sewed a dozen or so pumpkins in various sizes. My goal was to make enough pumpkins to fill my large Longaberger basket with fabric pumpkins.
Well, I never got around to filling my basket and I never got around to creating the pattern that I could share with you. That's all about to change today!
Free Fabric Pumpkin Pattern
The pattern for these fabric pumpkins is available in three sizes: small, medium and large. To get your FREE Fabric Pumpkin Pattern, simply sign up below.
My favorite is probably the medium-sized fabric pumpkin. But, when you combine all three sizes together they really make for quite a little pumpkin patch!
NEW!! Use Your Cricut Cutting Machine to Cut the Fabric
I've uploaded my pattern pieces to Cricut Design Space. You can do the same! I've even shared my project with you (made it public)! You can find it here! For best results, open Cricut Design Space and then click on the link to the Pumpkin Sewing Pattern project.
How to Sew a Fabric Pumpkin
I gotta warn you that once you get started sewing these cute little fabric pumpkins, you're gonna have more pumpkins than you know what to do with.
Fabric Pumpkins in Juniper Fabric Collection
Just released October 2023! Sharon Holland Designs just released her Juniper Fabric Collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. In fact, you can find the Juniper Fabric Lookbook on the Art Gallery Fabric website HERE or by clicking on the below Look Book image.
In fact, you'll find the beautiful pumpkins Sharon made to highlight her fabric collection on page 25 of the Look Book. You can see a screenshot of this page below.
I have to say a special "THANK YOU" to Sharon for using my pumpkin pattern to highlight her beautiful Juniper fabric collection.
Sharon's Juniper fabric collection is just stunning. And adds the perfect warmth to these fabric pumpkins. You can purchase Juniper fabrics from Fat Quarter Shop online or from your local quilt shop.
What You'll Need:
Material
Below is a list of the materials, supplies and equipment needed to sew your fabric pumpkins. For exact fabric requirements, please see the recipe card near the bottom of this post.
- fabric for pumpkin
- craft felt for leaves
Supplies & Equipment
- scissors
- cutting mat
- pins or clips
- polyester fiber fill
- matching thread
- wood for stems, cut 2"-3" long (can also use wine corks)
- strong thread, twine or embroidery thread
- long darning needle
- glue gun
- glue sticks
- sewing machine
Instructions
Below is an overview of the instructions. For detailed instructions, please see the how-to card near the end of this post.
Step 1: Cut Fabric
After you downloaded and cut out your pumpkin pattern. Place the pattern on the fabric and cut out six (6) pieces.
Step 2: Cut Felt
If you're using a felt leaf on your pumpkin, you'll want to cut out the felt leaf as well.
Step 3: Sew Pumpkin Pieces
Then you'll sew your pumpkin pieces together using ¼" seam allowances.
Step 4: Stuff the Pumpkin
Once you have your pumpkin pieces sewn together and turned right side out, it's time to stuff your pumpkin.
Step 5: Add Tufting
Although this step is totally optional, I think it adds a nice finished touch to the look of your fabric pumpkins.
Step 6: Attach Leaf & Stem
If you are adding a leaf and/or stem to your pumpkin, you'll want to do that now. Use your glue gun and apply glue to the center of the top of the pumpkin and place your leaf on top, carefully applying gentle pressure.
Your pumpkin is now finished!
You can adorn your pumpkin in many ways. I cut pieces of burlap ribbon and attached them to the top of the pumpkins. I also used wine corks on some of the pumpkins. And I even used cinnamon sticks on some.
Ad-Free Pattern
Don't want to subscribe to The Birch Cottage newsletter? No problem. You can purchase a copy of the pattern in my Etsy shop. Just click on the below image to go to the pattern.
Sew a Fabric Pumpkin
Learn how to sew a fabric pumpkin in three sizes. You can use any fabric and any color to create the perfect pumpkin for your home's decor or season. Download the free pattern from The Birch Cottage and follow along with these instructions.
Materials
- ½ yard fabric for large pumpkin
- ¼ yard fabric for medium pumpkin
- 1 fat quarter of fabric for small pumpkin
- matching thread
- craft felt
- polyester fiber-fil
- wood stems
Tools
Instructions
Step 1: Cut Fabric
After you downloaded and cut out your pumpkin pattern. Place the pattern on the fabric and cut out six (6) pieces.
Step 2: Cut Felt
If you're using a felt leaf on your pumpkin, you'll want to cut out the felt leaf as well.
Step 3: Sew Pumpkin Pieces
Take one of the pumpkin pieces and lay it face up. Take another pumpkin piece and lay it face down. Sew a ¼" seam along one edge of the two pieces. 
Then open the two pieces up and lay one of the pumpkin pieces face down, lining up the long edges. Again, sew along the edge using a ¼" seam allowance.
You'll now have three pieces sewn together. Lay that set aside and pick up two more pieces. Lay one face up and the other face down on top. Align the edges and sew using a ¼" seam.
Open the two pieces up and place the last pumpkin piece face down along one edge and stitch using a ¼" seam. Just like you did with the other three pieces.
Now, open the two pieces (three sections sewn together for each). Lay one face up and one face down on top. Align the edges and pin or clip in place. Begin sewing the two sections together along one of the sides. Sew completely around the pumpkin, leaving a 3" opening on one side for turning.
Once you have your pumpkin pieces sewn together, turn right side out through the opening.
Step 4: Stuff the Pumpkin
Once you have your pumpkin pieces sewn together and turned right side out, it's time to stuff your pumpkin. How firmly you stuff your pumpkin is totally up to you. Once your pumpkin is stuffed to your liking, just whipstitch the opening closed.
Step 5: Add Tufting
Although this step is totally optional, I think it adds a nice finished touch to the look of your fabric pumpkins.
Take a piece of twine about 72" long and thread onto your darning needle. Insert it into one end of the pumpkin and pull the needle through to the other end, leaving about a 6" tail.
Wrap twine around outside of pumpkin and again insert the needle in through the bottom and back out through the top. You'll this six times around the pumpkin, pulling slightly taut after each section.
Once you've completed the six strands around the pumpkin tie the two ends together and fasten off.
Step 6: Attach Leaf & Stem
If you are adding a leaf and/or stem to your pumpkin, you'll want to do that now. Use your glue gun and apply glue to the center of the top of the pumpkin and place your leaf on top, carefully applying gentle pressure.
Then, attach a dollop of glue to the center of the leaf/pumpkin and attach your stem.
Your pumpkin is now finished!
Recommended Products
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I've also used different fabrics. Although I love the look of the bleached drop cloth pumpkins (pictured above). I found that because of the loose weave of this fabric, it does tend to unravel. So be careful with your fabric choices. Tightly woven and cotton fabrics are your best options.
If you sew a pumpkin, I'd love it if you'd share a picture. Just leave a comment below, tag me #thebirchcottage or #ahandmadehome on social media, or come join in on the creativity at A Handmade Home Facebook Page.
More Pumpkin Ideas
If you enjoy all things pumpkin, you might enjoy these pumpkin themed ideas and recipes from The Birch Cottage:
- The Herringbone Crocheted Pumpkin
- Crochet Pumpkin Pattern
- Pumpkin Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Quick Bread
And be sure to check out my free Pear Pattern. It's just as adorable! Til next time...
Pamela Baker says
Hi, Jan!
As with most printables here on The Birch Cottage blog, you’ll find the pattern in the Subscribers Resource Library. Since you are a subscriber, I’ll email you a link. Hope this helps!
Pam Baker
The Birch Cottage
Caroline Morden says
I just found this site this morning, it looks so interesting. Thank you!
Caroline Morden says
I have gone through this article several times, but I can find no where that it shows to print the pattern...what am I missing...I signed up and have the link??
Pamela Baker says
Caroline, I’m so sorry about your experience. You should have received an email with a link to the Subscribers Resource Library. I will email you the link.
Please let me know if this doesn’t work for you.
Thank you,
Pam Baker
The Birch Cottage
Pamela Baker says
Hi, Judy. You have to click on the link to the Subscribers Resource Library in the email you received.
All downloads are stored in the Library. The Library is a shared Google Drive folder. From the library you can search or browse.
I will email you a link to the library.
Pamela Baker says
Debbie, the pattern is located in the Subscribers Resource Library.
I will email you a link.
Pamela Baker says
Paula, you should have received an confirmation email. Once you clicked on the link in the email to confirm your subscription, a new page will open in your browser with a link to download the pattern.
Please let me know if you did not receive the confirmation email. Hope this helps!
Elke says
I signed up to your site but am not receiving your confirmation email. Please review.
Pamela Baker says
I just resent the confirmation email to you. If you have not received it, please check your SPAM folder.
Let me know! Thanks!
Pamela Baker says
Jan, thanks for letting me know. I have checked my email systems and restarted them. I've tested it and found no issues. I did resend your confirmation email to you, please let me know if you received it. Thank you for your patience and help!
Pam Baker
The Birch Cottage