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Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Simple DIY tutorials and thrifty furniture and decor makeovers

How to Make Sweater Pumpkins from Sleeves

Happy Thursday, beautiful friends! Today I’m sharing the final piece of my last haul, and I have a super simple Fall DIY project to share as well: sweater pumpkins made from the sleeves of sweaters!

I had several questions on how I made my little sweater pumpkins after staging them with my Fall arrangement not too long ago. I shared how to make striped sweater pumpkins out of thrift store sweaters a few years ago, and I made several smaller pumpkins out of the leftover sleeves:

Sweater Pumpkins from confessionsofaserialdiyer.com

I never shared a separate how-to on the sleeve pumpkins, so I’ve made a video to share how easy they are to make, no sewing required! Look out for that below!

But first, here is the final piece of my last haul:

This is the larger of the two picnic baskets in this group. You can see the smaller one HERE if you missed it. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.

I paid $9.95 for this one because it is quite large, and it had a smaller basket that lifts out.

Here’s how this one turned out:

How to make sweater pumpkins from sleeves

And the shallow basket that came inside…

How to make sweater pumpkins from sleeves

How cute is it filled with all those little sweater pumpkins??

How to make sweater pumpkins from sleeves

I painted the basket in Dixie Belle’s Cotton using a brush instead of spray painting, just like I did the first one. I really like the texture it adds. I only gave the body one coat, but the top required a coat of B.O.S.S. stain blocker since it ended up bleeding through:

Dixie Belle BOSS is the boss when it comes to bleed through!

I gave it one coat and left it to dry overnight before giving it a final coat of paint. This stuff works SO well! The rest of the basket got a good sanding with 150 grit sandpaper.

The top got a fun treatment that was super simple to do!

I went and bought the only lace curtain panels I could find at the thrift store and crossed my fingers they would do what I was demanding of them:

These were $5 for the pair. I thought they could be used as a stencil to add a pretty lace pattern to the top of the basket.

To do that, I cut a piece of the curtain a little larger than the top of the basket and sprayed spray adhesive on the back of the fabric so that the fabric would lay flat and stay firmly in place…

I covered anything I didn’t want to get sprayed, like the basket handles, with FrogTape.

Then I gave it three light coats of Rustoleum’s Robin’s Egg blue:

Use a lace curtain to add a pretty pattern to a project.

I removed the curtain panel immediately after the final spray. I was so excited that it worked so well! I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper when it was dry.

I sealed just the top with Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Satin using their applicator sponge.

This was a super simple and fast way to add really pretty detail to the otherwise plain top!

Use a lace curtain to add a pretty pattern to a project.

I really love how all of the details of the lace showed up perfectly!

Use a lace curtain to add a pretty pattern to a project.

It seemed like it could use a little something to dress up the front, so I added a small sign:

Use a lace curtain to add a pretty pattern to a project.

Enjoy seems appropriate for a picnic, right?

I found a piece of poplar left over from my shiplap tray that was already painted white to make the sign. I spray painted it in Robin’s Egg as well and then had a little help from my Silhouette machine with the letters:

No fancy cutting machine? No problem! You can also use this method HERE.

I used acrylic craft paint to fill in the letters…it took four coats to cover the blue. Then I sanded and sealed that as well.

I attached it with craft wire. You can see how I did that HERE.

Use a lace curtain to add a pretty pattern to a project.

 

Now for those sweater pumpkins!

These are completely NO-SEW since they are made from the sleeves of sweaters! I found several so I could make a bunch for my shop:

I love the mix of creams and blues:

How to make sweater pumpkins from sleeves

 

https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-make-sweater-pumpkins-from-sleeves/

I made a video tutorial showing how quick and simple these sweet pumpkins are to make:

 

If you have any trouble viewing, you can check it out on YouTube HERE.

sweater pumpkins

I couldn’t resist the aqua sweaters!

How to make sweater pumpkins from sleeves

 

Sweater pumpkins

These were fun to make, and I was able to sit and work on them while our power was out all day Friday due to the hurricane!

I’ll also have you know I put on a sweater to make the video, even though it was almost 90 here…something about making sweater pumpkins in a tank top just didn’t feel right ha ha!

No-Sew Sweater Pumpkins

I mentioned on Tuesday that I’m keeping the small gold shelves as-is, so this basket completes this pile!

And AFTER!!

Revisit any you may have missed below:

Night Table: Take Two

$7 Vintage Picnic Basket Makeover (Plus the other small basket)

99¢ Thrift Store Basket turned Fall Arrangement

Mirror and Table Makeovers

Thrift Store Hat Box and PT Holder

$10 Yard Sale Chair Makeover

If you have some pretty fabric you’d like to make pumpkins out of instead like these…

How to make a fabric pumpkin from confessionsofaserialdiyer.com

They require very minimal sewing and you can see how I made them HERE!

I’ll meet you back here next time with my brand new Fall haul!! This guy is first up on the chopping block:

See ya then!

UPDATE: This is no longer a footboard! See what it became HERE now!

XOXO,

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Comments

  1. I love how you did the lace spray. And the perfect soft blue with the white. It turned out perfectly 🙂 I expect your shop is looking really super! Have a great weekend!

    • Thank you, Petra! I’m so glad that worked out! My shop was super busy this Summer, so I am working on filling it back up now! XOXO

  2. WOW is all I can think of to say!!! You totally amazed me with the lace on the top, so easy and so beautiful!! I can’t wait to get some sweaters to make some of the cute pumpkins. Have a very Happy Birthday, I will be celebrating with you here making some pumpkins! Tell your mom that she did a great job raising you, I am so impressed with her daughter!!

    • Thank you, Mary!! The lace really was so easy! Have fun looking for sweaters and making your pumpkins, and thank you so much for the birthday wishes! My Mom is wonderful and she would love to hear that! XOXO

  3. OMG! Every email I receive, I think to myself, I’m going to have to remember this one. I’m trying to figure out how to collect all your ideas and the only thing I can think of is to bookmark your website. Keep it coming! It’s 5:30 am and after reading my latest email from you I want to jump up and start painting!

  6. What pretty baskets and thanks for sharing the video on the pumpkins. Love the cream and aqua colors of them. Hopefully I will get around to making some of these.

  8. Christy, the basket is so cute! I love the idea of using the lace curtain to put that wonderful pattern on the top! Beautiful!
    The sweater sleeve pumpkin tutorial is so thorough and fun. You are hard core wearing a sweater while making them. 🙂
    Glad all is well there post hurricane. I hope you didn’t have any damage.
    Enjoy your weekend!!

    • Thank you, Christina! That sweater was quite toasty ha ha, but has me excited for cooler weather! No damage here, luckily. Have a great weekend too! XOXO

  9. I’m in love w these lil punkins in this uniquely adorable basket !
    You amaze me.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

  11. Happy, happy birthday Christy! Have a wonderful weekend and I LOVE the pumpkins…I knew I was saving those old sweaters for a reason! Great idea!

  13. First, wishing you the happiest of Birthdays! 🧁🛍🎈🎉 I love your basket make-overs, I have three in the garage just waiting for the Christy treatment! Thanks for the inspiration, I need it! And finally, only the goddess of diy would be crafting during the hurricane power outage, I love your 💕 heart for the creative process. Nothing short of fabulous…..🧺

    • Thank you SO much, Jacki! Ha ha yes…my hubby said the same thing…only I would be crafting during a hurricane!! It worked out great since we couldn’t do much else! And yes…I do love all things creative and I am truly blessed that I have amazing people like you to share it with!! Have a great weekend! XOXO

  14. A lace curtain as a stencil—— sheer brilliance !!!! I will have to try that.
    Love your blog and look forward to each renovation.

  16. LOVE the “After” picture staged the same as the “Before” picture! Very clever! Did these all go into your shop? I think I’m going to get the Silhouette Cameo 4. (eek!) I already have the Cricut Explore Air 2 but I want more options. Makers gotta make!!

    • Thanks, Robyn! Everything except for the arrangement made it to the shop yesterday! The Cameo is awesome…I’d love to upgrade to the wireless version but I’m too cheap ha ha! XOXO

  17. Hi Christy! I really would like to meet you and hug your neck. First of all i love the Lace stencil and I love the sweater pumpkins. Everything you do and create is just stunning. You do not know what an impact you have made on my life. You are my weekly inspiration and you never fail to amaze me. I started following you and Denise with Salvage Inspirations at the same time and both of you have changed my life forever. It may sound cheesy but you have no idea what my life was before so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every blog is a tutorial so keep those tutorials coming. I have never used an needle and thread in my life but I am going to try making a pumpkin. I have a couple of sweaters that would be perfect. Have you ever made one with a flannel shirt? I hope the URL works. i’m not sure i have an actual website. 🙂

    • Aww you totally made my day, Cheryl!! Thank you!! I love that you have been inspired in some way by what we share. I love Denise’s work as well! Yes, you absolutely can use a flannel shirt…I made one with a check shirt before and it turned out really cute. You can do this!! And you can leave that URL space blank..it’s just in case you had a website you wanted to link to! Have a fantastic weekend!! XOXO

    • Thank you, Phyllis! The gold piece is a set of two ornate little shelves. I think I can use them in my dining room as-is, so I decided to save them. 🙂 XOXO

  19. Wow, 2 for 1, that was a great deal on the basket! I loved the look of the transfer on the other basket, and the lace stencil is a great idea that can be used over and on different things, too. The light blue and white pumpkins are unexpected and very you! So much fun to see the entire collection before and after. Wishing you a happy birthday, Christy!

    • Thank you, Marcie! That basket was a great find and I think I’m going to keep the smaller one. The lace worked out even better than I had hoped. And you know I couldn’t pass up those aqua sweaters when I saw them! Thanks for the birthday wishes, my friend! XOXO

  20. I’ve never seen one of those picnic baskets with a smaller basket inside. Very cool. I love how you stenciled the top. It really dresses it up. It certainly is not your average picnic basket. ❤️

  21. I LOVE how the picnic basket turned out. The lace top is stunning! And the pumpkins are adorable. I think I am going to have to have a Silhouette. Do you have a tutorial on how you use yours?

    • Thank you, Lyn! I’m so glad the lace worked out! I love my Silhouette…I have taken screenshots as I created a few projects with it with the intention of creating a how-to, but I also have an older version so I’m not quite sure if it works the same as the newer ones. You have to be really accurate when walking someone through something like that or it can be very frustrating for the person following your tutorial. Plus, I really only use it for one thing! I may still put one together though! XOXO

  22. Hi Kristy! Do you sell those pumpkins in your booth? Would you ever sell them in your Etsy shop? I am not local. I am hosting my daughter’s baby shower on 9/29 and these would be sweet to have for a table centerpiece. I can do it myself if I have time, but just thought I’d ask you first.

    • Hi Cora! I don’t have these in my Etsy shop, unfortunately. I took these to my booth and have sold several already. If I had more time, I would offer to make you some, but that’s a pretty tight window. They are pretty easy to make though if you want to give them a go…maybe do a pumpkin making party with your daughter? Congratulations on your grandbaby on the way! XOXO

  23. You were very lucky to find such a beautiful shade of blue for the pumpkins. I love the blue and white mixed together. The use of lace as a stencil for the basket is truly inspired, and it looks so amazing. What a wonderful transformation! Who knows what creative ideas you’ll have for the rest of those lacy curtains : )

    • I agree, Debbie! These were the perfect colors! Thank you so much, and yes, who knows what else I could do with those curtains?? XOXO

  24. Christy – Your mini sweater pumpkins are ADORABLE! Loved the video and need to go sweater thrift shopping! I love love love your blog. Enjoying your “hauls”, too. I have my own haul that could use some attention – soon. soon. 😀

    • Thank you, Cathy! I appreciate that very much! Good luck on your sweater search and try not to look at anything else while you’re there since you have a haul waiting at home ha ha! XOXO

  25. Love the picnic basket makeover, both of them! I particularly liked what you did with the lace curtain to make a stencil. So clever!. You never cease to amaze me with your gifts and your step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and I love watching your videos. Just watched the sweater sleeve pumpkins. You have inspired me to do some creative things with fabric and old sweaters! Thanks for sharing.

    • Thank you so much, Sue!! I’m so thrilled the lace worked out so well and I’m glad you enjoy the videos! I love that you are feeling inspired to get creative!! XOXO

  26. Love those pumpkins!!! Watched…. the video and wow!!! how easy. I am sure I can find sweater or two that I drooled on!!! Noticed even your nails are color coded to your home.
    Have a good weekend!!! 😉

    • Thank you, Addie!! Ha ha you always make me laugh! And yes…love some blue, even on the nails ha ha! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO

  27. I’ve been searching for chenille at Goodwill to make some of these pumpkins. All along, I could have been looking for sweaters! They are adorable, and I can’t wait to make a few.

    • Oh no ha ha! Yes, sweaters are definitely easier to find and don’t forget to check the men’s section too!! XOXO

  28. Christy Christy Christy! PLEASE tell me what your TIME MANAGEMENT secrets are!!!!!!! How do you get SO MANY projects done???? I really truly want to know your approach! Is it just a natural talent? Genetics? I admire you so much!

    • Aww you are the sweetest! Thank you! This is a full-time job for me, so I do this pretty much all day every day! When I feel like I need to really get things done, I make a list. That works amazingly well for staying on track! XOXO

  29. super cute pumpkins and I think I will run out to get some old sweaters! In Arizona, nobody is buying them at the Thrift Store! I wish I had a chance to visit your booth but I am awed by how well you do everything!!

    • Thank you so much, Kimmylouwho!! Hopefully you’ll have plenty of sweaters to choose from ha ha! I wish you could visit too!! XOXO

  31. Christy,
    The basket is beautiful – love the lace top! The video was wonderful – I might even be able to make some sweater pumpkins myself – at least I’m going to try! Your blue nails look so pretty next to the white pumpkins – 🙂 You have so many in your “fan club” – we all love what you do with paint and fabric. I am so glad to hear you are well after the hurricane passed through – they are frightening. Hoping you have a beautiful birthday weekend – you are loved by many!!

    • Thanks so much, Patty! You could definitely make these little guys! I painted my nails to match the project ha ha! You are the sweetest and I appreciate your kind words and birthday wishes very much!! XOXO

  32. Hi Christy, I should just say ditto what everyone else said but those little pumpkins are so cute and don’t look hard to make! Those last two baskets looked great and I bet they will sell fast Hope you all didn’t have a lot of damage from all the storms! No power for a whole dang day YIKES!
    Have a great birthday!

    • Thanks, Mary! These pumpkins are so do-able! No damage from the storms, thankfully, but yes we were very happy to see the power come back on! Thank you for the birthday wishes! XOXO

  33. Thank you for sharing Christy- I love the cute pumpkins, and the basket lace spray idea is super cool!
    Feeling sooo inspired by you, thank you!

    • My pleasure, Olga! I love that you are feeling inspired…that is the best compliment ever, thank you!! XOXO

  34. Oh my gosh, I love the pumpkins and the basket!! 😍 The thrift store on now on my errand list for today!
    Quick tip I figured out a few years ago… Wet your fingers first if you have to touch the hot glue! Just kinda lick the tip of your finger or have a nearby cup of water to stick your fingers in. I swear it works!!!

    • Yay! Thanks so much, Rachel! I hope you find some good ones and thank you for the tip! I will definitely try that next time! XOXO

  35. …And now that there’s a run on sweaters and lace curtains at all the thrift stores… Haha!
    Your basket is gorgeous! A “real” stencil couldn’t have done a cleaner job, amazing!
    I love those little pumpkins. We’ve had a set ever since you first blogged them. 😊 My 3-year-old got so excited the other day when I pulled out the basket of them. He says he “LOVES them!!!”, haha! I’m going to look for sweater today. Years of being thrown around by a slew of boys… we’re running a little short this fall. Only 5 are still left with us! Eek! Time to restock.
    You are hilarious wearing a sweater in 90 degrees. …Dedication, that’s what we’ll call it. 😊
    WHOA! Your before and AFTER (!?!) pile pictures are the best ever! How cool! And hey, I have a “Happy 16th” message on my Kitchen slider right now, to match your “17th” one!

    • The thrift stores are going to be like, “What??” Ha ha! Thank you, Becky!! I am so pleased with how well the lace curtain worked…thanks to the spray adhesive, I’m sure. Sounds like it’s time to make some more pumpkins…you should make the boys help this time ha ha…a pumpkin making party! And yes, you know I rocked that sweater the rest of the day…I forgot I was wearing it! My oldest had a birthday on Monday…that is too funny! Have an amazing weekend, my friend! XOXO

  36. Those last before and after pics are perfect! I’ve never noticed you doing that before. The pumpkins are so pretty, Christy! Pinned! (love the format of the pin, too!)

    • Thank you, Julie! Funny…I really wanted to get that pic, but I couldn’t take anything to my booth until I finished it all and got that shot! Probably won’t do that again lol! Thank you, sweet friend! XOXO

  37. Christy, I just love the things you do and you always amaze me what you do with little thrifty finds. They turn out so pretty. I have gotten so many ideals with things that I had stored away. I love to paint but my unfinished pieces sit forever and you even gave me an ideal. Make a pile, paint it and get rid of it. Thank you for sharing!

    • Aww thank you so much, Kathy!! I had the same issue…I would sit on those unfinished projects for forever. Creating these hauls has helped to keep me accountable for getting them done. That really makes shopping for new pieces so much more fun because it’s like I earned it! XOXO

  38. The baskets are very nice and the pumpkins are adorable! It was my birthday weekend also-Virgos!

  39. Hi Christy!!
    Eastern Shore gal here 😉. Ingenious idea with the lace and the baskets are quite lovely!! The pumpkins are adorable and I am definitely going to try them. They look so easy peasy to make and I love the no sew idea!! Thanks for sharing… 😘💡

  40. Love everything that you do! I am about to start the sweater pumpkins!!! I’ll send you a pic! Happy birthday 🎈

  41. Thank you for all your spectacular ideas. I love your birthday present. Darling babies.
    I have made pumpkins similar to yours, but I’m inspired to make a couple more with your stems.

  42. I look forward to your weekly posts!! You do amazing work and I LOVE the sweater pumpkins!! I have lots of unfinished projects but you help inspire me…just need more space to get to them all!

  43. I look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays to see what you have been doing and to get new ideas for my own projects. I have been making large pumpkins from sweaters for a few years and never bothered with the sleeves and small pumpkins. I guess I will change that very soon. They are cute. Thanks for sharing your life with us.

    • Thanks so much, Judy!! Glad you like the pumpkins…using the sleeves makes them super easy to make! XOXO

  45. I absolutely love your crafting and paint projects! Love the colors you use. You make everything look so easy too! May I ask what kind of glue gun you were using in your video making the sweater pumpkins? It looked so easy to use and stood up on its own! Is it battery operated? Thank you in advance – I love following your blog!

    • Aww thank you so much, Karen! My glue gun is made by Ryobi and runs on one of their batteries! It is awesome! Thank you for following along with me! XOXO

  46. I love what you did with the lace! Thanks for sharing that idea; I plan to try it soon. And have a happy birthday. Your new fur babies are adorable!

  48. I love the pumpkins! Actually, everything you do! Thank you for sharing your creative mind & ideas with us…I can recreate but I was not blessed with the creative brain that you have! Blessings, and happy birthday!

  49. I don’t know where you get your energy but I would love to subscribe! The basket is so clever and I love the sign (of course). I have the sweaters, now I need the time to make the cute pumpkins. Thanks for the tutorial. XOXO

  50. I love this update….adding the lace as a stencil, and then using that beautiful blue paint made a dull basket into an eye catcher. Beautiful job!!!.
    I’m adding the thrift store or maybe my closet, to my stops today. The little pumpkins are so cute and your video shows just how easy they are to make.
    I have watched other videos but yours shows just how quick we can whip them up. Thanks you!!!

  51. I love every thing you do!! Now I know why, my birthday was on the 16th. I also rescued two kittens from our local animal coalition. Keep up the great work!

    • Thanks so much, Lisa! That’s too funny! Hope you had a wonderful birthday and your kitties are doing well! XOXO

  52. The colors on the basket look so pretty together. I remember when I did my first lace over wood spray paint and it was so pretty. I haven’t had the opportunity to do anything since then but I am working on a basket just like yours. I did the top in dark blue and already have the lace piece for it, just never got it finished. I need to find that…lol.
    Hope you had a good birthday!

  53. Love your pumpkins. I hunted in GW last year and came home with a wide variety of colors of $1 clothes. My favoritie pumpkins are still the purple satin ones made from Victoria’s Secret PJ legs; they were too small for me and I didn’t see the label till I’d started cutting. Found ecru and celery green cables, some florals, a worn navy and orange flannel shirt.. Cuffed shirts “pumpkins” look like tall gourds; every one is different. I’ve also used sleeves/pantlegs for 18″ doll skirts and blouses!

    • Thanks, Kathy! Sounds like you had a ball making pumpkins! I bet the purple satin ones are gorgeous! XOXO

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