These cute paper pumpkins can be used in a basket as a centerpiece or placed as individual table settings with the names written on the leaves. It’s a simple project the whole family can help with, before or during the Thanksgiving party!To make these pumpkins you will need the following:
- Patterned paper. Single or double sided.
- Brads. 1 cm long. 2 for each pumpkin.
- A toothpick and 28 gauge floral wire for the vine.
- Leaves. Either pre-cut with a die machine or hand cut. (let kids help with this!)
- A Pen
- 1/16 of a inch hand punch
- Scissors
Begin by cutting your strips as follows:
Large Pumpkin 22 strips, 3/4″ x 5 1/2″
Medium Pumpkin 22 strips, 3/4″ x 5″
Small Pumpkin 22 strips, 3/4″ x 4 1/2″
Tiny Pumpkin 16-18 strips, 3/4″ x 4″
Align all your strips together for each pumpkin. If there are any odd lengths, use your scissors to even the ends at one time. Holding one end firmly in your grasp (as shown) start by punching holes, 5 strips at a time. Don’t punch too close to the strip end or the brad will break through and you’ll have to re-cut a few strips. As you work, place the brad in the holes. This will hold the strips steady.
To shape the pumpkin, start by separating the strips out wards as you would do a fan. If your pumpkin starts to feel lopsided, gently smash the two brads together to keep the uniform shape centered. For the smaller pumpkins, it helps to separate the strips into 2 sides and then start the fanning process from there. If you find you have too many strips, just tuck them behind one another as you finish off your pumpkin!
To make the vine. Wrap some wire under the brad and poke one end through the leaf. Then curl the ends as shown here. To create the vine effect, just wrap the wire around the tooth pick and pull off! Be sure to curl those ends so to hide any sharp points.
If you don’t have a die cut machine to make your leaves, simply hand draw them on scraps of green cardstock and cut out. Use your hole punch and pen to finish it off. (or draft the kids to hand write everyone’s names on the leaves) .
Fill a baskets with assorted pumpkins. Maybe hide a tissue wrapped gift inside each one and place on the dinner plates. Then simply close the pumpkin back up till next year!
I like that these could be easily stored and used again another year.
So excited to make these with my 5 year old this week! I remember them from the family Thanksgiving we spent together 3 years ago.
Thanks cuz !
Oooh, these would be fun to put little treats in and put at a place setting (kind of like a thanksgiving version of a christmas cracker . . .). Cute!
These are so cute, and I love the sizes! Thanks for sharing!
Donna # 4454