After gasping at these beauties on Lulu's gorgeous dining room table, I practically ran to the thrift store for old sweaters to make my own.
Here are the sweater pumpkins I made, sitting pretty on my table with last year's 'glittered' white faux pumpkins:
I found two old sweaters at my thrift store. This one was J. Crew size XS and made with wool. Much too tiny to fit anyone, I rationalized:
First I cut the neck off. It conveniently formed a tube, which is the shape you want to begin with.
Next, turn the tube inside out and gather one end together by basting. I hurriedly basted with twine and a large needle, but you can gather loosely on the sewing machine:
Pull and fasten the threads together tightly to gather the end, then turn the tube right-side-out. This gathered end will form the bottom of your pumpkin:
Next stuff your pumpkin with filling from the open end, leaving some room at the top:
Squeeze the top of the pumpkin together, then fasten it with an elastic band. I also tied some twine at the top:
Lastly, wrap the twine evenly around your pumpkin to form the grooves, then wrap more twine around the 'stem'. You're done!
I also followed these steps using the body of the same sweater as a 'tube' for my large pumpkin. Here you can see I simply cut straight across under the sleeves:
I initially gathered the rough edge for the bottom of my pumpkin, then used the finished edge as a nice stem:
Hmmmm...now what to do with those left-over sleeves of my sweaters? Perhaps I should take a cue from my stylish friend Michelle and make these cozy leg-warmers (see her post about them here):
(photo via PetiteMichelleLouise) |
Hope you give these projects a try. Let me know if you do!
Sharing this tutorial with White Wednesday.
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a pair of angel wings and a Somerset Life magazine!
UPDATE to this post (9/28) - folks, I just heard from none other than the creator of the amazing sweater pumpkins on DustyLu Interiors blog, where I got my inspiration! Her name is Deb Kennedy and she has been designing these 'Sweet Sweater Pumpkins' for years. You should see all the variety of gorgeous pumpkin creations she makes!
Run over to her blog www.HOMEwardfounddecor.blogspot.com to take a look. She also offers a tutorial of the pumpkins here: www.homewardfounddecor.blogspot.com/2012/09/tutorial-sweater-pumpkins.html
which is easier than mine because it's no-sew!
Thank you Deb - these are perfect for fall!