Pumpkin Patch Party Table Decoration

It's time to get into the festive Halloween spirit! This no-sew Pumpkin Party table decoration, designed by Barbara Warholic, is just the ticket to bring smiles to the faces of family and friends.  The pumpkins are made by dip-dyeing fabric circles and tying them around strofoam balls.  Mama, papa and baby faces are made from cut pieces of black felt and finished off with decorative ribbons tied to look like a bow tie and hair bows.

Barbara is a designer, author and pottery-maker, who has recently written a new book, Sewing Pottery by Machine, published by Martingale & Company.

Here's the how-to:

SUPPLIES:

• Rit Liquid Dye:  Sunshine Orange, Cherry Red, Apple Green, Dark Green
• 1 ½ yds. White 100% Cotton Fabric
• 3 Styrofoam Balls: 5”, 6”, 8”
• 9” x 12” Black Felt Piece
• 2 yds. Assorted Decorative Ribbons
• Craft Glue
• 3 Rubber Bands
• Serrated Knife
• 2 Plastic Dyeing Containers, large (9” x 12”) & small (5” x 5”)
• Measuring Cup & Spoons
• Spoon for mixing dye
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Wrap
• Paper Towels
• Plastic Tablecloth

INSTRUCTIONS:

The size of the fabric needed for each pumpkin is determined as follows:  Take the measurement of the styrofoam ball and multiply it by 3 (example: 8” x 3 = 24”).  Add 4” to that number (24” + 4” = 28”).  You’ll need to cut a 28” circle of fabric for an 8” pumpkin.  Repeat this for the 5” and 6” pumpkins.

1. Cut three circles from the 1½ yd. of fabric as shown.

2. Fold the fabric circle in half 4 times.  Measure down from the rounded end 2” and mark this point with a straight pin. Repeat this for the remaining 2 circles.

3. Wearing rubber gloves, shake dye bottles and measure 1 Tablespoon Apple Green dye and 1/4 teaspoon Dark Green.  Pour into a small deep dye container; add 1 cup very hot water (at least 140˚).  Stir well.  Note:  If water is not hot enough, heat water in a tea kettle or in the microwave.

4. Dip the top rounded edge of the fabric into the green dye bath up to the straight pin.  Allow it to soak in the dye for 3-4 minutes.  Repeat this for the remaining 2 circles of fabric.

5.  Wearing rubber gloves, shake dye bottles and measure 3 Tablespoons Sunshine Orange and ½ teaspoon Cherry Red.  Pour into a larger dye container; add 3 cups very hot water (at least 140˚).  Stir well.

6.  Dip the lower edge of the fabric into the orange dye bath up to the straight pin.  Allow it to soak in the dye bath for 3-4 minutes.  Repeat this for the remaining 2 circles of fabric. (It’s ok if the green and orange dye run together a little!)  If dye solution cools down, reheat in the microwave.

7.  Remove fabric pieces from dye and squeeze out excess dye.  Wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and microwave the fabric on high for 1 minute.

8.  Rinse the fabric circles in cool water until the water runs clear.  Allow the circles to air dry on paper towels.  Iron fabric to remove wrinkles, if necessary.

Assembling the Pumpkins:

1. With a serrated knife, cut a ¼” slice off the bottom of each styrofoam ball.  This will make the pumpkin balls sit flat.

2.  To make pumpkin:  Set one styrofoam ball in the center of the corresponding fabric circle (wrong side of fabric is facing up).  Gather the fabric up to the top of the ball and secure it with a rubber band.  Smooth out the folds.  Arrange the top in a way that is pleasing to the eye.  Repeat for other two balls.

3. Cut eyes, nose, and a mouth from the black felt, following diagram or as desired.  Use craft glue to secure these pieces to the pumpkin.  Repeat this step for the other 2 pumpkins. 

4.  Add ribbon and bows to pumpkins, as shown, creating mama, papa and baby pumpkins.