Alright, let’s talk about this DIY pumpkin project! So, I’ve been holding onto this bright orange blouse for way too long. You know how it is—you keep something around because the color is just perfect, and you think, “One day, this’ll come in handy.” Well, that day finally came! Instead of letting it gather dust, I decided to transform it into a cozy little pumpkin for my Halloween and fall decor.
Why Upcycle? Because It’s Just So Satisfying
There’s something special about giving old clothes a second life. Sure, I could’ve bought new fabric, but there’s just more charm in using something you already have. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, which is always a win. And let’s be honest, every time I see this little pumpkin sitting on my table, I get a warm fuzzy feeling, like I’ve done something good for my home and the planet.
What You’ll Need
- Orange blouse or t-shirt (or any soft fabric with a nice pop of orange)
- Black macrame cord (for that classic pumpkin look)
- Needle and thread
- Pillow stuffing or polyester fiberfill
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
You don’t need anything fancy here. Most of this stuff might already be lying around your house.
Making The Pumpkin
As you can see, you won't need much. It's the beauty of this project.
Alright, first things first—grab that blouse and cut out a big rectangle from it. I sliced off everything above the armholes. No turning back now! It felt a little weird to cut into something I once wore, but that’s the beauty of upcycling. Just make sure to cut a nice clean rectangle; it’ll help when you start sewing everything together.
Now, flip your fabric inside out and sew up the bottom edge. I learned this the hard way, but trust me—doubling up on the thread is a lifesaver here. It makes the seam stronger, so you don’t have to worry about it popping open once it’s stuffed. Just sew along the bottom edge, pull the thread tight, and knot it off. Boom, you’ve got the bottom sealed!.
Turn your fabric right side out and start stuffing it. This is the fun part! I used pillow stuffing, but honestly, anything fluffy will do. Pack it in there until it looks nice and plump. If you want a pumpkin that keeps its shape, don’t be shy with the stuffing. More is better here!.
After stuffing it full, sew up the top just like you did the bottom. Gather the fabric at the top, stitch around the edge, pull tight, and knot it well. This gives the pumpkin its round shape, and you’ll see it start to look like an actual pumpkin now. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; a little unevenness just adds character.
Next, we need to create that classic pumpkin shape by creating ridges and cinching the middle. Grab a sturdy piece of thread (yarn or macrame cord work great for this too), and carefully wrap it around the center of your pumpkin.
Let’s add some extra definition by threading through the pumpkin to cinch the middle! Take your sturdy thread or yarn, and this time, use a long needle to thread it right through the center of the pumpkin from top to bottom. Pull it tight to create that deep indent in the middle, which gives it that authentic pumpkin shape.
For the stem, take some of the black cord and wrap it around four fingers to form a little loop.
Start wrapping cord around this loop.
Then, wrap more cord around the base to make it thicker toward the bottom. I used a hot glue gun to keep everything in place. And don’t be afraid to give it a little bend—it makes it look more organic, like a real pumpkin stem. This was one of my favorite parts because it’s so quick, and suddenly, the pumpkin just comes alive.
With a dab of hot glue, attach the stem right to the top.
Then, if you want to get extra fancy, you can cover up the bottom seam with a coil of cord. It hides the rough edges and gives a finished look, but hey, if you’re in a rush, you could skip this step.
And there you have it—a pumpkin that used to be a blouse! This DIY pumpkin is perfect for a cozy Halloween look or as part of a larger fall display. Place it on your dresser, throw it on the couch (it’s surprisingly comfy!), or set it as a centerpiece on your table.
Why I Love This Project
What I love about this DIY is how simple it is. I think the whole thing took me about 20 minutes, tops. And every time I see it, I get that warm fuzzy feeling of “I made this.” Plus, because it’s fabric, it’s soft enough to use as an extra cushion. It’s so satisfying seeing something that was just lying around get a second life. So, if you’ve got an old orange shirt, why not turn it into a pumpkin? It’s such an easy way to bring some autumn vibes into your home, and it’s way more fun than just buying one at the store.