Yo-yo Pumpkins and more

Pictured are pumpkins crafted for fall decorations.

Fall is around the corner. Pumpkins are traditionally used for both baked goods as well as decorations. We have made different crafts featuring pumpkins over the years. This year our new additions are yo-yo pumpkins, a TP pumpkin and a macramé pumpkin.

No specific pattern is needed to make things from yo-yos. We used round plastic lids from the kitchen in graduated sizes as patterns to achieve the pumpkins pictured above. Our largest ones have seven yo-yos down to the smallest having only three. The finished shape does not need to be perfectly round as real pumpkins are not all perfectly rounded. For the stems we used twigs from trees in our yard. The yo-yos and stems are all glued together with hot glue. Craft glue can also be used to put them together.

After cutting circles of fabric a running stitch is sewed around the outer edge and pulled together to gather the fabric in the center. If the fabric tends to fray the edge can be turned under but the end result will be a smaller yo-yo.

We used cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics. Light weight fabric is best. Thicker fabric will leave a larger hole in the center as it cannot be gathered as tightly.

To find the colors we wanted we looked in our collection of fabric and came up with the ones pictured above. Fabric can also be used from clothing no longer being worn. We came up with three different patterned fabrics in shades of orange. Also we made one with white fabric as real pumpkins come in white.

More details on making yo-yos are in our blog on the yo-yo angel craft we made in April. Also posted is a picture of other items we have made from yo-yos.

Making items from yo-yos is a good project that is easy for all ages. They are good for clubs and after-school groups looking for inexpensive craft projects.

Another easy to make pumpkin is the TP pumpkin. It is made from an 18-inch fabric square gathered up around a roll of toilet paper and poked into the center of the roll. A stick is used for the stem and a green floral wire is curled for extra decoration. This is a regular size TP roll. A larger roll will need a larger square of fabric.

The macramé pumpkin is made from a wire clothes hanger bent to make the desired shape with floral wire to make the lines for the inside ribs. The wire frame is not flat so it gives more of a three dimensional look. We then knotted orange macramé cord around the wires of the pumpkin shape and green was woven on the stem. Again we have no pattern as we made it up as we went. Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes so creating pumpkin decorations can reflect that fact.

Other pumpkins crafts we have made in the past include pumpkin shapes cut from wood. Then they are painted and embellished with wood and silk leaves, wire stems and raffia bows. Also we quilted wall hangings with the precut pumpkin shapes ironed on with fusible web and accented with fabric paint and other embellishments.

When decorating we try to use what we have around us as apposed to buying preassembled decorations. Being creative is fun and is something the whole family can participate in.