Fabric Leaves for Pumpkins

Round three of the Better Homes and Gardens contest!  This was my favorite challenge and while my pumpkins are simple, they're definitely reflective of my personal style (at least one side, since I do have dual - and dueling - decorating personalities). 

One thing to know about me and pumpkins - I pretty much avoid carving them, at all costs (though that will have to change when my son is old enough to participate in the carving process). I think it was the photo shoot when I carved a dozen pumpkins out in the biting cold, my fingers stiff and bleeding. That may have been what put me over the edge. But beyond that particular unpleasantry, I like to decorate pumpkins so they last for several weeks instead of a couple of days. 

This year I raided my fabric stash to make patterned leaves. It's not difficult to do and you can keep the leaves afterwards. Here's how:

Materials:

pumpkin leaf templates (download the PDF at the bottom of this post)
fabric scraps
iron-on fusible interfacing
iron and ironing board
pen
sharp, fine-tipped fabric scissors
thin floral wire
floral tape in the color of your choice
quick-setting gel glue (like Fabri-Tac or 3-in-1 adhesive)
Fun-Tack putty or other type of adhesive 

Directions:

1. Download the pumpkin leaf templates and print them out; cut them out.

2. Iron the fusible interfacing to the back of fabric scraps; trace around the pumpkin templates.

3. Cut out pumpkin leaves.

4. Cut 5 pieces of thin floral wire and glue them to the back side of the pumpkin leaves (as shown above). It's not necessary to use a full length of wire for each vein, but include at least one in the middle. This will give you ample wire to curl and create tendrils with. Set aside to dry.

 

5. When glue is dry, gather the floral wires together and wrap with floral tape to secure. Twirl the wire around the end of your pen or your finger to create tendrils. Shape the leaves with your fingers.

6. You can attach the leaves to your pumpkins using a bit of Fun-Tack putty, strong double-sided tape, or glue dots.

Download Pumpkin Leaf Templates

Now, as usual, you can head over and see what my competitors have been up to, as well as place a vote for your favorite. Don't forget - you can vote once a day!  Vote HERE.

Comments

[Suzonne]

Tessa, they look great!! Thank you for leaving the link. I'll keep it here so that everyone else can view your fabulousness!

[Tessa]

You inspired me!! Only differences, there's fabric on both sides of leaves, I used hot glue, fabric covered wire and added ribbon - they turned out fabulous!!! Thank You! (And they're fake pumpkins😉)
http://instagr.am/p/QqUCyhrTPa/

[Suzonne]

Thanks, Jaimee. Looking forward to the roundup on Friday!

[Jaimee @ Craft, Interrupted]

These are stunning! Fantastic job!! I'm including these in a 13 for Halloween round-up of pumpkin ideas on my blog this Friday, with one pic and a link back to this post. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration : )

[Dottie]

These are adorable! Especially love the polka dot leaf! We'd love if you'd join our Countdown to Fall link party! Hope to see you there! Happy weekend!:)
http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_08_20_archive.html

[Tina]

Any way you slice it, carving a snaggletoothed jack-o'-lantern can be a sloppy, labor-intensive task. Your idea is much more interesting.

[Crestron installation]

Pumpkin decor stuffs looks absolutely great!!!I love ur post a lot...http://www.edgonline.com/ Cool Blog!!!!

[Greg Bulmash]

Just saw the outcome. You wuz robbed!!!

The first prize pumpkin looked like a turd. How could that have won? Sparkly cow-pie with a photo sticking out of it, embellished with a pedestrian font? Seriously???????

You. Wuz. Robbed!

[MJ]

I love it!! Will be trying this tonight at my own little carving party. I'll be painting my pumpkin :)

[Melissa]

Love these pumpkins! Great idea.

[katherine]

love love love this! I mentioned you and this project on my blog, I hope that is ok :)

[Natasha @ Heart of Decor]

Very very unique and super CUTE!!! We are all for the non-carving pumpkin decor ;-P

[Betty aka ZacksNana]

very cleaver! I loved all the projects today. But I stayed loyal and true and voted for YOU!