Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Yo-Yo Pumpkin Picture Tutorial

Here's a super simple 20 minute fall craft that you don't even need a sewing machine to make.

These pumpkins are basically a big stuffed yo-yo that I've wrapped some jute around to make 
a pumpkin shape and stem.

What you'll need:
Cut a circle twice as big as you'd like your pumpkin to be, plus 1/2" out of the fabric. 
For example, I was aiming for a 4.5" pumpkin, I cut a 9.5" circle. 
Note: These will be approximate measurements, the end result will vary depending on 
how much stuffing you use and how tightly you wrap the jute.

Thread the needle and double the thread (pull the end you put through the eye of the needle down to the end you're going to cut). Give yourself a length of about 20" of thread, more for bigger circles. 
Flip the circle so the wrong side of the fabric is facing you. Turn the edge over 1/4" and start sewing it in place. You'll want to use a wide stitch, maybe every 1/4".
Continue all the way around the circle.

Gently pull on both sides of the string until it closes up and looks like a pouch.

Leave the needle on the thread, and hold on to both ends of the thread with one hand. You'll leave the needle on just in case the ends get away from you and a couple stitches come out, you can fix it.
Stuff the pumpkin, you want to make it as full as you can while still being able to tighten the threads.
They need to be pulled closed after the pumpkin is stuffed.
Here the tread has been knotted, I like to run the needle down through the stuffing and then through the side of the pumpkin, then cut the thread. This hides the loose ends.
A note about thread: I used a quilters thread which is a little thicker and stronger than regular thread.
I've also used regular thread, most of the time no problem, but if you pull too hard it can break.

At this point you can try to "shape" your pumpkin, smoosh it around until it's round, etc.
Loosely wrap the jute around the pumpkin, you want 3-4" extra on each side.
Cut three stands of jute this length.
Cut one strand that's twice as long.

Holding the three shorter strands, knot them together in the middle. 
Edited to say: It's better to tie all 4 strands together, matching one end and having 3 short strands and one long one on the other end. Tie the knot in the middle of the shorter strands.

Place the pumpkin on top of the knot.
Bring two strings up either side of the pumpkin and pull to tighten. This makes the ridges in the pumpkin.
Tie in a knot in the "open" top of the pumpkin.

Bring two more strands around the sides of the pumpkin at 90 degrees, or making a cross.
Tie a knot in the top. 

Bring the third set of short strands up the opposite sides between the the other two sets, tie a knot.
Make the last set of ridges with the remaining short and long strand, tie it off at the top.

To make the stem, hold the seven shorter ends together and loosely wrap the long strand around them,
bring the end of the string through the "hole" in the loop and tighten. This creates a slip knot.
Neatly repeat this going up the stem until you make it as long as you'd like.

There you have it, one cute little pumpkin! 
A great rainy day project.
My pumpkin ended up just a touch under 4".
Instead of jute you could use a couple strands of yarn twisted together, ribbon or raffia.
You could add fabric leaves if you'd like or make them all different sizes for your own pumpkin patch!

Updated to add: I have since added a cute Stacked Yo-Yo Pumpkin to my patch HERE.

99 comments:

  1. A very nifty craft! I love creative people. :-)

    Cheers.
    Velva

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  2. This is darling! I'm all thumbs but I think I will give it a try!! :-)

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. This is so cute, I am not crafty but I think even I can make this. Thank you for the excellent instructions.

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  4. This is one of the cutest crafts I've seen. Thanks for the great instructions!
    hugs, Linda

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  5. they are very cute! and simple is good!

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  6. What a cute idea! I'll have to show this to my daughter...she may just want to try making some of these to sell at the Farmer's Market where she lives. Thanks for the idea! Hope your day is a good one.
    Maura :)

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  7. Cuteness all wrapped up in the shape of a punkin!

    Cute!!

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  8. Hi Lynn...

    Your little pumpkin is just darling! I really need to get busy and make a few of these...I can just see and little wicker basket full of pumpkins! Great tutorial, my friend! Thanks so much for sharing this sweet craft with us!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari

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  9. A perfect craft for our busy lives. I can just imagine how much the decor stores would be charging for these.
    Fall is my favorite time of year for sure.

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  10. I think I can--and I'd sure love a big basket of these sitting around somewhere.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  11. thats adorable and looks easy enough for even me to get crafty with it..
    thanks so much

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  12. I love the simple pumpkins. I hope to make a few soon, thanks for sharing the tutorial.

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  13. Great idea for my kids and I to make together! Gets us in the mood for fall!
    Thanks,
    ~cathy

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  14. Hi Lynn, even I could do this and I have the twine already. I love your pumpkin. Thank you for the tutorial. I'm DOING IT!!
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  15. These are really cute, with all the rain we've been having, I could make myself a cart full of these adorable pumpkins. xo,

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  16. This is so cute! Really simple to make, will try!

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  17. i love coming here to see what you are up to....

    love this...

    makes me happy !!!

    kary and teddy
    xx

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  18. What a cute and easy project, I just emailed it to my mom and sis..love it, thanks! xo

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  19. I will have to make some of these, so easy!!!

    Following you now.

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  20. Those are such cute pumpkins and seem to be soo easy to make. What fun! Joni

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  21. What a cute and simple craft project idea! Just perfect for this time of year, with summer coming to an end and a feel of Halloween starting to fill my heart.
    ~Debby

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  22. These are great...so creative,I think I'll try a few of these,pumpkins that I can bring out this time of year over and over.And I thought you just stood in front of the stove cooking 24/7...(^!^)
    Thanks for sharing this easy project.
    ~JO

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  23. So cute, I want to try it but fabric crafts confuse me. I think I am going to try either way!
    Thanks for sharing! :-)

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  24. Very cute! I could just see a bowl full of these!!!
    Great tutorial too.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  25. thanks so much for sharing this easy peasy pumpkin! I love it.
    pam

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  26. I think the most fun would be picking the material for these. There is some awesome fall prints out there! Love the simplicity.

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  27. I love this.. how gorgeous these are.. I am thinking some dyed velvet would be lovely too.. goodness. now i want to go make some!!! thanks so much for sharing this.. xo marlis

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  28. Oh these are adorable! Thanks so much for the tutorial; these are definitely in my crafting future!

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  29. Excellent! I may give this a try!

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  30. This looks like a great activity to do with kids!

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  31. Those are so cute! I could see them glued on a wreath or used as bowl fillers. Maybe even to use as little gifts for friends and family for a Halloween or Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks for this cute idea!

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  32. So cute! I've seen something similar but your touch of twine for stems makes them so special! Great craft--
    Mary

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  33. O, I am loving this..I am not a bit crafty so don't know if I could do it or not. Sure is cute, tho.

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  34. What a cute tutorial! I wish I knew how to sew to make cute crafts like this... always gotta start somewhere right?! :)

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  35. These are just too cute! I hope to make some!

    Are you having the celebrity cookoff this month?

    Katherine

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  36. They are adorable! I think even I can make them.

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  37. These are super fun little pumpkins! I'm going to try making these!

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  38. Those are so darling!! What a quick fall decoration! Love it!

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  39. I have gotten so lazy. I don't do crafts any more. I just dream that I will again some day. Somehow that day never comes.
    CUTE little fall pumpkins!!

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  40. Just adorable! I want to make one right this minute!

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  41. SO VERY CUTE! I have been wondering how to get "lines" in the fabric pumpkins...now I know thanks to YOU. I saw your post over at "Tales from Bloggeritaville".

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  42. that is adorable! I like the 4 inch ones... perfect for a bowl filler! t. xoxoxoox

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  43. How creative and cute! I just might have to make these for Fall!
    Thanks for the tutorial.
    -Lynn

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  44. What a cute craft! I might just have to try that to add to my fall collection!

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  45. These are the sweetest little pumpkin crafts - SO fun -
    Mary

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  46. Perfect! These are cute and easy. I wouldn't ever have thought of it.

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  47. Oh Lynn, this is just so cute! I love it. I have all the upplies already so, guess what I will be doing this weekend! Thank you for joining TTF!

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  48. These are really cute. I don't sew at all, but even I might be able to do this. Love them!

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  49. OH MY! These are just the cutest...and I think I might even be able to make one! You are so SMART! ♥

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  50. Shoot, Lynn! Here I was coming over for something to eat and you're making punkins! :) You know I'm teasing. These are darling and I know I could do these too. You're the smartest one.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  51. This is really a good idea! Your so crafty. They make a nice fall decoration.

    Pat
    http://patspinkapron.blogspot.com

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  52. Hi Lynn!

    I hope you are not suffering from Lee's floods.

    These pumpkins are adorable. You are so talented.

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  53. Oh, these are just gorgeous! I am going to have to pin them and share them WITH THE WORLD!!!!

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  54. Oh my goodness, those are terrific! You are so clever, very impressive looking pumpkins! Thanks for the lesson, they are just way too cute!

    Nancy

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  55. Lynn, Your pumpkins are adorable! Very nicely done.
    Beth

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  56. What a really adorable craft idea. I would love a basket full of them.

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  57. Sweet! I think I will make some with my gdau, she likes crafts!

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  58. Fabulous, I am emailing this to my daughter. Hugs, Ginger

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  59. I wanna make BIIIG pumpkins- were opting for baling twine and hay for stuffing!

    THIS is the easiest pattern yet for making pumpkins! You are the crafting queen! Especially to teach us who are limited on time right now!

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  60. How darling! Your tutorial makes them look so easy to make. Happy Fall!
    Hugs,
    Babs

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  61. Your pumpkins are delightful! I think this would be such a fun project. I can just see a lovely container full for a great autumn vignette. Great tutorial.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  62. Your pumpkins are the cutest!!!! That's a great tutorial too! Happy Fall!!

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  63. Just DARLING! I give you 3 ★★★'s!
    I have SEW many darling autumnal fabrics that this would work great on...THANKS for the TUT!

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  64. These are sooo adorable! And they look easy. The perfect match.

    Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  65. Found you through Totally Tutorials. Thanks for the great tut!

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  66. This is awesome! Ive been looking for some halloween/fall crafts that my kids could help make. and this is perfect!

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  67. Funny!
    I will try with my children^_^

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  68. These are so cute, Lynn! Now, if only I could find the box with the seasonal fabrics inside......lol! Great tutorial!
    :) CAS

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  69. These are so cute! I'm bookmarking your site as one of my faves!

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  70. Just found you through the primpals forum. Love your site and the pumpkins are just too cute.

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  71. That is such a great idea! I'll definitely try to make these!

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  72. Treating myself to blog hopping today, just popped over from Katherines Corner. Fantastic pumpkins, this is a new craft to me I love it. Can I link to you? Cheers

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  73. Eine wunderschöne Idee und so kann man die Stoffreste wunderbar verarbeiten.
    Liebe Grüße Kerstin

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  74. I don't know how I missed this post but those are adorable, Lynn!

    I actually saw them first here:

    http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2011/09/weekend-diy-5-projects-for-halloween.html

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  75. Thanks so much for sharing. I just made several out of orange burlap. Love them !

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  76. Adorable! And so simple...we may need to make some of these! Thanks for linking up to One Artsy Mama. :)

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  77. Oh yeah, these are so cute and much easier than I would have thought. Awesome tutorial.

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  78. Too cute. I just saw this tutorial. Hope to make some next weekend.

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  79. I'm so glad I found this. Those are adorable!

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  80. I am going to use this tutorial tomorrow! Pinned for inspiration. :)

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  81. Your pumpkins are wonderful! This evening I'll also try to make them!!
    Kiss
    Monique

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  82. Just the tutorial I was looking for! Perfect! So cute! Thank you for sharing.

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  83. That is so cute. I love your ideas about making things. These pumpkins are adorable. I am going to make some for my table.
    Thanks for the tutorial. New follower from Blackberry Winter Crafts.
    Donna L.

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  84. I have made these but used yarn. I like the jute better. Great tutorial!

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  85. Thank you Lynn! I appreciated your project and I done a similar one project.
    Bye bye!
    Silvia - toccodililla

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  86. Great instructions for such a cute project! Thanks for sharing at the Happy Fall Link Party.

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  87. Looks nice! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 29 for Pumpkin Crafts and Decor.

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  88. CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at #AThemedLinkup 30 for All Things Halloween from my previous linkup for Pumpkin Crafts and Décor.

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