DIY Fabric Pumpkins Using Recycled Items (Instead of Toilet Paper Rolls)

Last year, we made fabric pumpkins using toilet paper rolls for the "stuffing," but this is 2020 and well, you know, we don't want to waste any t.p.! lol So what's a girl to do to make cute and easy fabric pumpkins? 

Well, I went digging in the trash! You can watch my video on facebook or through on IGTV to see how I used several repurposed items to create the center of my pumpkins. 

Living a ways from town and craft supply stores, avoiding making extra trips to the store, and trying to keep our cost of goods down, we looked around and found ways to stuff our pumpkins, all while recycling and repurposing items. This also went a long with the theme for our repurposing workshop we held in August. There, I had a few pumpkins made and ask attendees to guess what was insides were made of. 

In this example, I used empty spools of ribbon, with just a little bit of polyester stuffing. Using the spool, we saved it from the trash and reduced our need for as much stuffing. I've also used a "naked" softball (I used the skins to make flowers and had the ugly ball left over) and an empty shipping tape spool.

 Look around and see what kind of goods you can repurpose and save from the landfill. In our workshop, one lady even used a wine bottle for the center of the pumpkin with the stem being the neck of the bottle and cork. It turned out really cute! I've even thought about using the empty container of mixed nuts as the center of one. 

 

For our fabric, we cut up a skirt we had purchased at a thrift store. I picked this one for its rich colors and textures. In addition, we used some jute twine, a wooden spool, fringe trim, and a silk sunflower for accents. We like using whatever we can find at hand, so we use random trims, ribbon, lace, twigs, and flowers that are in reach on our work table or tidbits left after other jobs. 

 

These are fun to make and you can create them with a variety of fabrics and trim you have on hand. So look around the house and see what you can use in a new way. You'll feel good making something pretty from something that was headed for the trash! As we say "rescue, recycle, and repurpose!" 

P.S. If you made pumpkins last year, using toilet paper rolls, you've got a hidden stash, just in case you need it ;)

Pumpkins Made from Spools of Crochet Thread

A few weeks ago, we were out junkin' and I came across some spools of crochet thread. I immediately knew I wanted to make pumpkins out of the spools of thread. 

 After getting home, I realized each spool had a started piece of work poked in the center of the spool, (most still attached.) 

 One even had the ladies needle in there. So the sewing became the leaves on the pumpkins and the needle became the stem on one.

 I had a random bag of sewing things that I had picked up at an estate sale last year, which included several wooden thread spools, so I decided to use them as the stems of the pumpkins, then I added some burlap flowers.

Looking back, it was an older man and most likely his daughter working the garage sale. I’m thinking these were started projects left by his wife and her mother. While I can’t complete her sewing or know her vision for these, I did make something new with what she had, without discarding what was started.

While I'm considering them pumpkins, they could really just be decoration in someone's sewing room all year long. They certainly remind me of my Grandmama's house and days gone by... 

Fabric Pumpkins

When one comes across a gorgeous, fall colored skirt at a garage sale, one may think: will this fit me, what top would go with this or all the places they could wear it? Not me - My immediate thought was gorgeous pumpkins! 

Velvet, rust colored lace, along with other layers of rich colored fabric, described by the lady as "one of my favorite" skirts, I immediately saw the potential. I came home and cut that baby up and made fabric pumpkins and did a little fall decorating. ✂️

I added twine, burlap roses, vintage lace, assorted trim, and sunflowers to them. 

I have this thing for vintage suitcases as well! I found this one recently and couldn't pass it up. Thought it was a great basket for my pumpkins and a mason jar of fall flowers! 

No fabric scrap was left behind - Meet the cute little baby pumpkins! Itsy, bitsy, and oh so cute!

I had some scraps left on the table and I just could not throw them away. This fabric is too pretty to go to waste in the trash. I mean, baby pumpkins, y'all!

I wish you could feel the fabric texture through the screen...

P. S. I'll share with you! I'll have some of these available in our Yamboree booth next week! 

Here's a few more from my pumpkin patch, in orange burlap and a pretty velvet. 

Angea's (aka Rooster Tails) pumpkin patch has been growing the French Country style pumpkins! Loving those white chenille ones, Angea! 

It's Almost Time!

It's coming down to the wire - just one week till we load the trucks, trailer, and Miss Gussie and head off to the Yamboree! We (Angea and myself) are both busy little bees, creating items we think you might like. We've got everything from rustic country, farmhouse, French country, shabby chic, repurposed funky junk and boho gypsy chic style to lots of vintage lace decor and burlap wedding bouquets! 

 

We are talking back and forth and sharing on Instagram / Facebook about all the stuff we are working on and let me tell ya, I think our booth will be busting at the seams! 

Vintage doily and hankie pennant banners / garlands are in the works and a few more dream catchers. 

 Angea is creating a very french country pumpkin patch! She's got lots of fabric pumpkins, that you never have to worry about rotting or stinking! 

Together we will both have lots of decorative pillows 

and furniture. Lots of painting has been happening and these are a few pieces I've been working on. I've got one more desk that I hope to tackle tomorrow or Thursday and a few touch ups to do.  

Speaking of paint, I occasionally forget to wash my brushes, but how cute are these little turquoise brushy Santas ornaments? 

Angea has Christmas wreaths and I'm working on more rope wreaths for the holidays. 

It's a mess out by my camper! We've been out picking and unloading stuff near the camper and shed, all while trying to determine what to keep and what gets to go to town and  finalizing the props and get our displays built! I'm sure the traffic passing by wonders what the heck I'm up to! :) 

Fun times and lots of memories in the making! We are both so excited about setting up next week and sure hope that you can come see us at the fair. Stay tuned to Instagram or Facebook for more updates and see how we pull it all together!