Good Morning, Quilters!
We have a different sort of “Tuesday Tutorial” today…I was waylaid by Halloween and a wonderful tutorial offered at Fiskars for an adorable pumpkin pin cushion. After making several pumpkins, I made a few changes to make it easier and add a bit more detail.
So today I offer my own version:
Most of the supplies are things you have right in your sewing room…
Begin by cutting 4 inch squares of orange fabric.
For each pumpkin you will need eight squares.
Choose 4 squares for the bottom and stitch the 4-patch.
Press the seams open.
Choose 4 squares for the top of the pumpkin.
This is going to be stitched a little differently…
For the second seam in the 4 patch, leave an opening.
This seam is left open for stuffing the top of the pumpkin.
WHY?
The original pattern recommended leaving an opening in the circle for stuffing the pumpkin, however, it is very difficult to slip stitch this seam neatly (see below)…
We can hide the slipstitching in the center top of the pumpkin with leaves and stem!
Place the 4-patches, right sides together and trace a circle for stitching.
Vary the diameter of the circle from 4 inches to 7-1/2 inches for a variety of pumpkins.
Stitch the entire circle.
Trim the excess.
Turn right side out and stuff with fiberfill.
Add lavender if you like…(I always do!)
Slipstitch the top of the pumpkin.
Choose a heavy weight thread like Aurifil cotton 12 wt to create the contours in the pumpkin.
Stitch on the seam lines pulling gently into the center.
Then divide the pumpkin into eight sections. 
Now comes the FUN PART!!!
Free motion quilt a few leaves, echo stitching three times around the outer edge.
Cut closely around the leaves, leaving a little stem on the bottom for fastening onto the pumpkin.
Use two or three leaves per pumpkin.
Tack the leaves in place.
Another FUN PART…
Go for a walk and find some gnarly sticks and vines (I found a grape vine with dried twisty vines)
Or use a cinnamon stick…
Use a hot glue gun to attach the stems.
I promise, you won’t want to stop with two…
Don’t worry…these adorable pumpkins make great table decorations, pin cushions, gifts….
Then we can try them in red…
Next week: A FREE MOTION quilt Tuesday Tutorial–Promise!
Happy Stitching from my Pumpkin Patch to YOURS!
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
For more step-by-step tutorials and skill building exercises, check out my books:
