Sew a Gathered Velvet Pumpkin Without a Pattern
A single circle of velvet gathers into a soft pumpkin for an October shelf. There are no separate fabric panels to match, and the ribs are made by looping thread around the stuffed shape. Use a felt stem so the decoration stays soft and stores flat against other fabric pieces.
Cut and stuff
- One 10-inch circle of lightweight, nonstretch velvet
- About 1 cup of loosely packed polyester stuffing, plus a little extra if needed
- Strong upholstery thread, an embroidery needle, scissors, and a ruler
- One piece of brown craft felt, 1.5 by 2 inches, and matching sewing thread
Work a running stitch about a quarter inch in from the edge of the velvet using a 30-inch length of strong thread. Leave a 4-inch tail at the start. Pull both ends partway to form a pouch, add stuffing in small pinches, and draw the opening closed. Tie the tails together securely. Before tying, tuck the raw edges down into the center so they do not stick up around the stem.
Add ribs and a felt stem
Anchor a fresh length of strong thread in the gathered center. Pass the thread around the outside to the base, push the needle up through the stuffed middle, and pull until the thread makes a shallow groove. Repeat at five more evenly spaced points. Tie off in the gathered center. If the needle is too short to reach through the stuffing, make small anchoring stitches at the base and the top for each loop instead.
Roll the felt from one of its 1.5-inch edges to form a short stem. Sew through the roll to hold it closed, then stitch the stem base to several velvet folds.
Correct the shape
If the ribs disappear, tighten them a little before tying off. If the fabric puckers sharply, ease the tension and redistribute the stuffing with your fingers. A pumpkin that rolls can usually be steadied by flattening the base gently between your palms.
