Hey there, amazing Friends! Today I’m hanging out with some very talented ladies from bHome sharing what we love about Fall.
Do you know what I really love about Fall, besides the cooler weather? I love football, chili, and Halloween!
I’m pretty sure you don’t want to hear about football…ok maybe just one little teeny tiny video. Try and guess which kiddo is mine:
I thought it was hilarious. My hubby, the coach, not so much!
I don’t share recipes here, but I see a big crockpot full of chili in my near future!
And it’s just a tad early to be busting out the Halloween decor, so I’ll have to settle on sharing a photo from last year:
As you can see we really get into Halloween around here! You can see more of my outdoor Halloween décor HERE.
So what am I sharing today? Well, you know what else I love no matter the season?
A good repurpose project!
So for today, I decided to share something fun I made for Fall with these:
Those would be thrift store finds. I’m pretty sure I am the only customer that would be excited to find that green velour shirt. (Super excited.)
And here’s what they turned into:
Pumpkins, of course!
There are lots of sweater pumpkins floating around the internet these days, but today I’m sharing how to make these fun striped ones!
The green fits right in with my Fall colors.
They’re just kind of whimsical. You could use any color combination you can imagine.
To make these, you’ll need a few things:
- Sweaters/shirts or fabric of your choice
- Rotary cutter/straight edge/cutting mat or scissors
- Sewing machine
- Embroidery thread
- Upholstery needle
- Polyester fiberfill
- Hot glue gun/glue
- Jute twine
Here is how they came together:
- Cut fabric into strips. I love my rotary cutter and straight edge for easy cutting.
- Place right sides together and sew strips.
- Fold in half and sew seam with right sides together. (I played around with different sizes. For the medium size above, I cut my piece slightly tapered at 12″ across the top and 16″ across the bottom.)
- Gather bottom edge and secure with embroidery thread.
- Add polyfil. (Add popcorn kernels first to weight the bottom if you have a taller pumpkin.)
- Tie the top with embroidery thread.
- Thread your upholstery needle (JoAnns sells them in packs of three for $4.99.) and knot one end. Insert under a fold on the bottom to hide knot.
- Bring up and down through the top right near where it is tied off at the top.
- Pull out of the bottom and pull taught. Secure with a knot, then continue to create the next indention, and so forth.
- Tie jute around the top. Wind tightly around the “stem” securing with hot glue here and there. When the stem is as tall as you like, trim the excess sweater to make the top of the stem flat.
- Apply hot glue to the flat surface on the top of the stem, and coil the jute from the outside in.
Of course I couldn’t let anything go to waste. I used the sleeves to make several smaller pumpkins…
No machine required…just start at step four above to make these!
I found a nice plaid Eddie Bauer shirt as well. People donate good stuff! Then people like me buy it and cut it up.
I made enough pumpkins to put several in my shop, so if you’re local, I’ll be dropping them off tomorrow!
I love sweater pumpkins but last year I also made a sweater owl:
Isn’t he a cutie? I received a sweater as part of the Swap it Like it’s Hot tour where a bunch of us crazy bloggers all send each other thrift store junk to revive. See the how-to for this owl and what else I got and made over HERE.
Couldn’t help adding more pumpkins to the table in the corner…
And the hutch…
I love how these blend perfectly with my Fall color palette.
See seven more budget-friendly neutral Fall décor projects here:
7 Thrifty Neutral Fall Décor Projects
I also recently shared my Fall Tablescape that included a simple five minute napkin ring idea:
Neutral Fall Tablescape {& Five Minute Napkin Rings}
And how about a chance to win a $250 Amazon Gift Card from My Paint Saint:
Got paint? You need My Paint Saint ~ the all in one touch up painting solution.
Check MPS out!
To Enter simply PIN this image
and let us know you did in a comment.
Good Luck!
Winner chosen by random & notified by email on October 7th
Visit five more bHome Bloggers today, 30 in all by the end of the week ! So much Fall inspiration in on place!
{Friday 9/30}
{Thursday 9/29}
{Wednesday 9/28}
{Tuesday 9/27}
{Monday 9/26}
I think this is it for me for Fall Décor, looking forward to setting up for Halloween next!
But first, I’ll be back tomorrow sharing what I did with this flatware box:
UPDATE: See what it looks like now HERE! 🙂
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Sue says
Hi Christy. May have finally figured out why I have not been able to post comments. Had to use a different browser.(My husband figured it out actually) I have been following you but not able to contact you!!!
Love the pumpkins, btw!!! And yes, I pinned the Paint Saint. What a great idea that is!
Christy says
Hey Sue…thank you! It’s so good to hear from you! Glad to hear you’re still following along, my friend! Good luck on the giveaway! XO
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Oh my gosh!…I love your striped sweater pumpkin, a.k.a The Rugby Pumpkin….as it reminds me of a Rugby shirt…so very cute and creative!!!….I must say that I love all of your beautiful sweater pumpkins….including that adorable owl!!…Love the crochet wings! You are so very talented Christy! Great touring with you today and Happy Fall!!! Pinned away!
Christy says
Aww thanks so much, Shirley! It does look like a rugby shirt now that you said that ha ha. So fun to be touring with you today too! XOXO
kim says
Christy, those are super cute pumpkins in green and white, but of course the plaid one is my favorite. Glad to be touring with you.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kim! So fun to be touring with you today as well! XO
Nancy @ Slightly Coastal says
You always have such great ideas! I’m hosting a Pumpkinpalooza craft night on Saturday for all my besties and this gave me a new take on pumpkin making. Thanks! Now I have a few different kinds we can make. I need to stop at the thrift store. I saw a camel color leather jacket marked way down. I think it needs to be a pumpkin.
Nancy
Christy says
Thank you, Nancy!! Glad I could give you some ideas for Saturday…that sounds like my kind of fun! Yes…go get that jacket! XO
Sandra@lookingforpotential says
That is such a great idea Christy, looks awesome!!
Christy says
Thank you, Sandra!! XOXO
Julie at Lilacs and Longhorns says
I love your sweater pumpkins, Christy! They look so perfect for fall! And, I love your Halloween decor — you are definitely the fun and festive house on the block! Happy to be touring with you today!
Christy says
Thank you, Julie!! We are the Halloween house for sure…it’s a good excuse to act like a kid again! Happy Fall! XO
Candy Walsh says
Pinned image and fingers are crossed!!
Thank you so much!
Christy says
Awesome…good luck!
Lidy@FrenchGardenHouse says
Your home is just so welcoming! Thank you for the pumpkin tutorial, I love your striped ones so much, what a fun, new twist on pumpkins. I am so happy to be touring with you today!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lidy! And thank you for organizing this fun Fall tour!! XO
Zanetta says
I have a box full of vintage velveteen from the 50’s-60’s. Have been wanting to do this all year. Love the paid and the stripes … would’ve never thought of that.
Zanetta says
**plaid**
Christy says
Oh yes!! That velveteen would make amazing pumpkins!! XO
Cathy@RevolutionaryRedesigns says
Without a doubt, these are the cutest, softest, most snugly, most awesome fabric pumpkins I have ever seen! Love them all!! 🙂
Christy says
Well thank you, Cathy!! I kind of love them all too…I picked out a few to keep before taking the rest to my shop but I didn’t want to let any go lol! XO
Annie (Canada) says
Love your pumpkins, they make me smile 🙂 Shame about that plaid shirt though…I would wear that…lol Your home at Halloween is AMAZING! I can’t wait to see what you come up with this year.
Christy says
Thank you, Annie! Yeah that was a nice plaid shirt…felt a little bad about that one lol. And yay…it’s almost time to unload our Halloween bins from the attic…love setting it all up! XOXO
Becky says
These are so cute! I haven’t been a fan of the fabric pumpkins, but now I realize it’s the cut-a-circle-of-fabric-and-gather-the-top look I don’t like. Your tube ones are great! That basket of mini “sleeve-kins” is SO cute! I’m so glad I read this before I go thrifting TODAY!!! Woo-hoo!
Christy says
Thanks, Becky!! I actually made a cut-a-circle one last year and it turned out really cute, but the fabric where it gathered on the top was just too bulky. This was much better! Love the term “sleevekins” lol! Hope you found some good sweaters today! XOXO
Martha Rekni says
O.M.G. Is there anything you can’t do? Love! Love! Love!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Martha! Thank you! 🙂
Addie says
lololo…..that video was the BEST!!!! Soooo Sweet!!! You will have laughs about that for years to come.
I LOVE those pumpkins!!! My fave is the green plaid ones…..nice mix in!!!
hey, I want my green valour shirt back!!!
God Bless!!!
Addie
Christy says
He may not have a future in football, but he sure is entertaining lol!! I laughed and laughed over that! Sorry I did that to your shirt he he! XO
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
These are adorable!!! I’m on my way for that chili!
Christy says
Thanks, Christy! Yes!! I’m so ready for crockpot and soup weather!! XO
Marcie Lovett says
These are so cute! What a great way to use a sweater that the moths got to.
Christy says
Thanks, Martha! Yes, exactly! XO
Mary says
Love your adorable pumpkins! ….and the video is hilarious!
Christy says
Thanks, Mary!! That video was just too funny not to share! XO
Kristy Seibert says
Christy! These little sweater pumpkins are TOO CUTE!! I love all of them, but the plain white ones are my favorite. It’s been such an honor to join this group of talented ladies for the Fall Home Tour!
Christy says
Thanks, Kristy!! Those are my favorites too! Happy to be touring with you as well! XO
Jenny U says
I pinned the Paint Saint. What a great idea! Those pumpkins are adorable!
Christy says
Thanks, Jenny! Good luck on the giveaway! XO
Cindy Downing says
Yes i pinned the paint saint!!
Christy says
Awesome! Good luck!
girlfromwva says
PINNED the image to my PIN TO WIN board! i love your striped-sweater pumpkins! so cute and very festive.
Christy says
Thanks Girl from WVa! Good luck on the giveaway! 🙂
Lori Williams says
Pinned image! here is link: http://pin.it/oSFdT6R. I love how creative you are in reusing old clothes. Thank you for sharing. I am not very crafty but am honestly thinking about trying this!
Christy says
Thanks, Lori! These are pretty simple to make. Good luck on the giveaway! XO
Kim says
Pinned the image!!! The pumpkins are adorable. I am off to the thrift store as soon as it opens! 😉
Christy says
Thanks, Kim! I just kept making them…so simple and cute! XO
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Fabulous sweater pumpkins! I’m partial to the white cable knit but they’re all so terrifically creative!!
Christy says
Thanks, Lory! Those are my faves too. 🙂
Mary Kaiser says
I thought the video was hilarious. Love the pumpkins. I already have a bunch of sweaters from thrift store, now just to find the time to make them. Went in to view paint saint, what a great idea. I think it is a huge time saver, but seems a little pricey to me. I think I could buy a lot of paint, or thrift store sweaters for that money! Thanks for always providing me with great inspiration.
Christy says
That video was just too funny not to share…not sure my son has a future in football, but he sure makes us laugh! Glad you enjoyed the pumpkins! XO
Jenny Oliver says
Your video is adorable, and I love the sweater pumpkins! I love your website – it has inspired me to do so many projects! Pinned the Paint Saint! Keep up the great work!
Christy says
Ha ha glad you enjoyed the video, Jenny…it gave us all a good laugh! Thanks so much for your sweet words…I love to hear that you have found inspiration here. Good luck on the giveaway! XO
Marie from The Interior Frugalista says
Oh my gosh Christy, I almost spit my coffee all over my computer monitor watching that video – too stink’n funny! Your sweater pumpkins are AWESOME – love the stripes and colors. Also picked up some helpful tips on how to improve my sweater pumpkin mak’n. xo
Christy says
Wasn’t he hilarious?? SO entertaining, I tell ya! Funny we both had the sweater pumpkin bug this year! XO
Kelly Wilkniss says
Christy – these are adorable pumpkins & I LOVE your owl ! I particularly love the stems! All about a good stem, right? Thanks so much for sharing with us on the bHome tour!
Christy says
Thank you, Kelly!! Always an honor to be included with this talented group! XO
MaryJean says
Love the sweater pumpkins! What a great idea! Gotta get me some sweaters or even plaid shirts!
Christy says
Thank you, MaryJean! These were fun and simple to make! XO
Amy says
Love the pumpkins in an un-pumpkin like color!
Christy says
Thanks, Amy! It’s fun to change things up! 🙂
Natalie C says
Love your blog!! I am off to the thrift store for shirts to make some pumpkins. Paint is pinned. Thanks for a chance to win.
Christy says
Thank you, Natalie! Good luck with the giveaway! XO
Ardith says
Love your pumpkins and the tutorial; love the video of your son—and husband–even more. 🙂 Cheers, Ardith
Christy says
Thank you, Ardith! That video was just too funny not to share…glad you enjoyed it! 😀
Debbi Spencer says
Hi Christy-I’ll be making your adorable pumpkins next week-thanks! I also pinned the Paint Saint to my Repurpose/Refinish board. Have been following your great projects for abut a year and LOVE it. I also got a great laugh watching your little football practice video. Dad looked very patient with him: I’m with you-it was hilarious!
Christy says
Thank you, Debbi! Those pumpkins were fun to make. And yes, my hubby is very patient with him, but it was such a hoot! Good luck on the giveaway! 🙂
Lisa Brown says
Great pumpkins 🙂
pin https://www.pinterest.com/pin/277675133255094858/
thanks for the chance
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Christy says
Thanks, Lisa! Good luck! 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
I love your sweater pumpkins!! You’re making me want to raid my closet for old sweaters to use for a few pumpkins of my own!
Christy says
Thanks, Paula! You know I probably have a few sweaters that I could have used, but didn’t even think to check my closet!
Jan Swisher says
I pinned the image on my “Furniture Restoration ” Board, so thanks for the opportunity! More importantly, I visited the base thrift shop this morning and picked up a couple of sweaters and a shirt for my “copycat” pumpkins. I am so inspired by your projects. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Christy says
Oh I love hearing that, Jan thank you! Have fun making them!! XO
Julie says
Christy, These pumpkins are so cute!! Your Halloween decorations are amazing, too!! My 14 year old would love them, she is a big Halloween decorator. Have a great week! XO
Christy says
Thanks, Julie! She really would…we really go nuts on Halloween night, bringing out lots of extras. It is pretty awesome and so much fun! Thanks for stopping by! XO
vicki says
I pinned the Paint Saint to my Painting Board. That is a great way to save all my leftover custom paint colors!!!
Jennifer says
Wow I just love the idea so much, And your finish is really cool, so does your guide. Let’s warm everything for a cozy Fall!
P.s: Don’t forget to keep yourself warmth as well!
Kim says
The little pumpkins are so cute! Would you mind sharing how much you sell the little white sweater pumpkins for? You’re prices are a good bit higher than in my area but it gives me some idea.
Thanks!
Christy says
Thank, Kim! I have my extra small ones at $4.95 and they go up from there. 🙂
Kim says
How much of the sleeve length do you cut to make the extra small pumpkins? I didn’t see this anywhere but could have overlooked it. My daughter is throwing away a sweater that will be cute for these.
Christy says
Hi Kim! I got two pumpkins out of one sleeve. I made the first to the size I wanted it, then cut it after stuffing and wrapping a bit with jute, so I don’t have an exact measurement, but that should help. You could just cut the sleeve in half and go from there. ????
Kim says
Thank you. You are always so sweet to answer everyone’s questions. I really appreciate that. 🙂
Christy says
You are so welcome! XO