DIY Cottage Style Pumpkin

Today I am going to show you how to make a beautiful Cottage Style Pumpkin, from an old woollen scarf.

You could also use an old jumper, or even some scraps of fabrics to create your pumpkins, but the main thing to take away, is to make them your own.  Add your own embellishments, have fun creating, use your imagination, and create the prettiest pumpkins to add to your own Home Decor, or gift for others to enjoy.

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To create your pumpkin:

Do you own an old woollen scarf that you no longer wear?  Ever wondered what you could do with it?  Well, don't just discard it to landfill, why not re purpose it into pretty Cottage Style Pumpkins?

They are perfect for the Autumn/Fall season, to add to your cosy decor.

Follow my step by step instructions below, to find out how to make yours.

My scarf, made 11 pumpkins in total.

Step 1

Fold your scarf in half length ways, right sides together and pin in place.

Step 2

Stitch along the edge of your scarf leaving approximately 1/2 inch seam allowance, then divide your scarf into smaller sections and cut.  Mine were around 6 inches each.

Step 3

Gather one edge of one of your tubes around the circumference and pull tight to gather.  I used a double thread for this.  Repeat on all of your tubes.

Step 4

Secure your gathers with a few stitches and turn your pumpkin right sides out.  Repeat the same on the others too.

Step 5

Using Toy Stuffing or scraps of fabric, stuff each pumpkin.

Step 6

Now close the open end, using double thread and a gather stitch.  Secure with a few stitches.

Step 7

Using a strong thread (I used Embroidery thread), tie a knot at one end and insert your needle in from the top, right through until it comes out the centre bottom.  Wrap the thread around and reinsert to create the pumpkin sections (I created 7).  Pull tight and secure with a few stitches.

Step 8

Cut a strip of Burlap/Hessian and roll to create a stalk.  Use your glue gun to secure it.  I inserted some florist wire inside mine, so that I could mould it to shape.  Then glue it into the centre top hole.

Step 9 (Optional)

Cut out a couple of leaves from the Hessian/Burlap and glue to the top.  Glue some of the tassels from the scarf for added texture and add a bow made from a vintage lace.

Or

Embellish using whatever you have to hand

I hope you found this mini DIY useful and will enjoy creating your own Pumpkins.  Maybe you could use an old jumper or t-shirt to create some too?  And watch out for more on my Instagram, created with Liberty Scraps and Denim.

If you use this tutorial to create your own Pumpkins, please tag me on Instagram @michellecorbindesign and use the Hashtag #michellemademestitch

Have a lovely day, and Happy Stitching

Michelle xxx

 

I have Social Media Blues

Most of you who have followed me on Social Media for a while, will know that up until last year, I posted on Facebook and Instagram pretty much every day, quite often twice a day, and dipped in and out of Twitter and Pinterest.

I loved the buzz, the interaction and the community I had built.  Facebook did change in 2015 I think it was, but I found ways to keep my community interactive.  Then Instagram changed once Facebook took over, which changed the Algorithm and made it harder to be seen too.

Facebook was my first Social Media love, where I made my first online sale and it's where I have built a wonderful following, but as times have been changing I have also worked hard to increase my community on Instagram.  I'm still working on that, and I have recently purchased Hashtag Autentic by Sara Tasker (me and orla) to help with that - however, Facebook have recently announced new changes are afloat, and they don't sound very conducive to the world of small businesses. 

I'm a busy mum, working hard to look after my family, sew pretty things, and to promote my business as much as I can.  I have learnt so much since I began and I continue to learn, but the changes that regularly develop on Social Media Platforms, are incredibly hard for us 'Small Businsses' to keep up with at times and quite frankly - it's exhausting!

The new changes are said to decrease our posts from being seen even more, unless we create "amazing content" all of the time, which increases reactions, comments and shares.  These to be honest have always been important, but it looks like they will be even more significant or we will disappear in a puff of smoke!  Ok maybe not, but our posts just won't be seen. 

I just want to make pretty things and show them to you lol!!

Also, The Corbin Family decided to move house last year and life has changed.  The move was rough, with more than your average ups and downs, so my postings on Facebook and Instagram decreased as did my sewing hours.  I'm now trying hard to get back to where I was, but I've been struggling.

I have Social Media Blues!!

Overwhelmed with the work needed in the new house (it's a doer upper which needs lots of tlc), some personal family ups and downs, plus the getting back into the 'posting rhythm', the commenting and 'interacting rhythm' and generally finding the inspiration to post new amazing content every day, I just want to run away and hide instead!

Has something similar happened to you?  Will I ever lose these blues?  I miss the interaction and buzz it used to bring, but I just can't think what to post or comment anymore.  What is this "Amazing Content" and where will I find it?  Perhaps I'd best have another coffee and see if I can find it!!

If you have any top tips, to help me get out of my blues, please comment or email me info@michellecorbindesign.co.uk

Off to stitch something pretty now

Michelle xx