How to sew a pumpkin trick-or-treat bags
Materials needed:
3/4 yard orange fabric for body of pumpkin
3/4 yard black fabric for lining
1/16 yard green fabric for handle and stem (will make 2 handles and 2 stems)
scraps of black and yellow fabric for face
3/4 yard black lace or ricrac
1/2 yard (or half of a 36×45 piece) of quilt batting
orange, black, and white thread
2 green buttons (optional)
green, black, and white ribbon (optional)
1 yellow pom (optional)
a note: all measurements include a 1/2″ seam allowance
Step 1. Cut out your patterns. I used regular computer paper to make mine. Don’t worry, they don’t have to be perfect. Obviously, a compass would be useful to make the circles, but I didn’t have one, so I free handed them. After I had drawn my measurements for my side pattern, I folded the paper in half lengthwise before cutting, so the curved sides would be even. If you enlarge the picture, I think you can see all of the measurements except for the stem piece. The top of this piece is 3″ wide, the bottom is 2 1/2″wide, and it is 2 3/4″ long. If you have any trouble seeing the other measurements, please let me know. The side pieces should measure 12 inches long, 3 5/8 inches wide at the top, 5 1/2 inches wide in the middle, and 3 1/8 inches wide at the bottom.
Step 2. Cut out your fabric.
Step 3. Make the face. I found that it’s easiest to sew the face onto the side before assembling the pumpkin. If your face will take up more than the space available on one side piece, sew two pieces together first (instructions in Step 4), and then add your face (Don’t let your face go all the way to the edge of the piece, though. You want to leave 1/2″ seam allowance on each side.). This is where you can really be creative, though I copied the face my grandma made almost exactly. I used a few scraps of black fabric for my face shapes and pinned them in place (near the middle/top of the side piece).
With black thread, I used a really tight zig-zag, almost like a satin stitch all around the edges. For the mouth, I drew a pencil line and followed it with my needle.
I stitched on a pom for the nose.
Here’s an idea for a boy pumpkin, made mine by grammy.
Step 4. Assemble the pumpkin. With right sides together and backed by the batting, sew the side pieces together. (Change to the white or orange thread first.) Keep going until all 8 are stitched together.
Step 5. Attach the bottom.With right sides together and the bottom piece backed by the batting, sew the bottom circle to the body of the pumpkin.
Turn right side out.
Step 6. Sew the lining. Stitch the 8 lining pieces together, right sides together. Make sure to switch to the black thread first.
Attach it to the top of the pumpkin by sewing right sides together.
Close the bottom of the lining with a topstitch.
Stuff it inside.
Step 7. Make the lid. With right sides together, and backed by the batting, sew the lid and lining together. Don’t forget to put your lace or ricrac on the inside. I like to pin the lace toward the inside all around the top of the lid. Then I sandwich it with the lining fabric and repin.
When sewing them together, leave a small opening to turn it right side out.
Trim the edges. Then turn it right side out.
Pin the opening closed, put the orange thread in the top of your machine, and topstitch all around the edge.
Now stitch it like a pie.
Step 8. Make the stem. Switch to white thread and sew the right sides together, leaving the bottom open. Trim corners.
Turn right side out and stuff with batting. I used the leftover batting scraps from the side pieces. I tear and loosen them a bit first.
After stuffing it well, sew the bottom closed. Next, attach it to the top of the lid. This must be done by hand. When stitching, try to keep your stitches from piercing the lid completely. You want to get beneath the orange fabric, but not all the way to the lining.
Decorate with ribbon or flowers (optional, and only recommended for a girl pumpkin).
Step 9. Attach the lid to the pumpkin. With a few hand stitches, secure the lid to the back of the pumpkin’s opening.
Step 10. Make the handle. Fold the handle piece in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew top and sides closed, leaving the bottom open. Turn right side out and stuff. Again, use the leftover batting scraps. You really want this stuffed well. Put as much in there as you can. Stitch the bottom closed (I do this by hand so the stitches cannot be seen).
Now attach the handle to the pumpkin. This must be done by hand, as well, and can be hard on the fingers. Use a thimble, if you have one.
Add decorative buttons or bows.
another note: After I made my pumpkins, I realized that the buttons my grandma used were not merely decorative. She stitched all the way through the handle to the button. I think this would make it a bit more secure.
Yay. You’re done. Now let’s fill it with candy!
courtesy: barefootinthekitchen