Make Dollar Store Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins with fall fabric, felt, and twigs for an easy, budget-friendly autumn craft.
How to make Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins
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Grab a couple of embroidery hoops and some cute fall fabric, because we’re turning them into pumpkins!
These Dollar Store Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins are such an easy way to make inexpensive fall decor using fabric scraps and a few basic craft supplies. I used two different sizes of embroidery hoops, coordinating fall fabrics, felt, twine, and—because apparently I’m the type of person who keeps sticks in her craft room—a couple of little twig stems.
The finished pumpkins are cute, cozy, and just rustic enough without being over-the-top farmhouse. Plus, this is a great project for using up those smaller pieces of fall fabric hanging around in your craft stash.
Video Tutorial: Dollar Store Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins
Watch the video tutorial below to see exactly how I made these Dollar Store Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins from start to finish.
Dollar Store Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins
Turn simple hoops and fall fabric into Dollar Store Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins for cute, inexpensive autumn home decor.
Materials
- Embroidery hoops in two different sizes
- Dollar store fall fabric
- Gel stain
- Paper towel
- Green felt
- Small twig
- Twine
Tools
- Paint brush
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Craft scissors
- Miter shears
Instructions
- Watch the Video. Follow along with the video tutorial to see exactly how to create these dollar store fabric embroidery hoop pumpkins.
- Stain the Embroidery Hoops. Start by separating the inner and outer rings of your embroidery hoops. Apply a small amount of gel stain to the outer wooden rings. Embroidery hoops are usually made from a lightweight bamboo-type wood that doesn't absorb stain the same way unfinished craft wood does, so you really don't need much. Wipe away any excess stain with a paper towel and set the hoops aside to dry.
- Add the Fall Fabric. Cut a piece of fall fabric slightly larger than your first embroidery hoop.
Lay the fabric over the inner ring and position the outer ring over the top. Pull the fabric tight and tighten the screw at the top of the hoop. I used a plaid fabric for one pumpkin and a pumpkin-print fabric for the other. For the pumpkin fabric, I made sure to position the material so one whole pumpkin was centered inside the hoop. - Trim Away Excess Fabric. Flip the hoop over and trim away the excess fabric around the back.
Repeat with the second embroidery hoop. - Cover the Embroidery Hoop Hardware. Cut a narrow strip of green felt and loop it around the hardware. Secure the felt in place with hot glue. Repeat on your second pumpkin, adjusting the width of the felt to match the scale of the embroidery hoop.
- Make Twig Pumpkin Stems. Choose a small twig with a little character and cut off a section approximately two inches long. I split my twig in half lengthwise so I could make two coordinating stems from the same piece. Hot glue one twig stem onto the top of each embroidery hoop, directly over the green felt.
- Add Felt Leaves. Freehand two small pumpkin leaves from green felt for each pumpkin. I gently folded each leaf down the middle before attaching it to give it a little extra dimension. Hot glue two leaves beside the stem on each pumpkin.
- Make a Twine Bow. For the final embellishment, make a simple little twine bow. Wrap twine around your fingertips about three times, pinch the center so you have a figure-eight shape, and wrap another piece of twine around the middle a few times. Tie it with a plain knot and trim the four tail ends to whatever length looks good. Hot glue the bow at the base of the twig stem, opposite your felt leaves.
Notes
Tips for Making Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins:
- Make sure you pull your fabric nice and tight before tightening the embroidery hoop. You don't want any wrinkles or sagging fabric across the front of your pumpkin.
- If you're using patterned fabric, pay attention to placement before securing the hoop. Centering a pumpkin, flower, plaid pattern, or other prominent design can make a big difference in the finished project.
- You can also add a piece of felt to the back of each embroidery hoop if you want everything to look a little more polished. I didn't think of that until after mine were finished, but it's an easy optional step.
Make an Entire Embroidery Hoop Pumpkin Patch
Why stop at two?
Use several different embroidery hoop sizes and coordinating fabrics to create an entire little pumpkin patch. You can vary the twig stems, leaves, bows, and fabrics while keeping a few elements consistent to tie everything together.
These fabric pumpkins would be cute displayed on a mantel, incorporated into a fall gallery wall, or layered with other autumn decor on a shelf.
An Easy Dollar Store Fall Craft
I love a fall craft that doesn’t require a giant supply list, and these Dollar Store Fabric Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins definitely qualify.
They’re inexpensive, easy to customize, and a fun way to use those pieces of fall fabric you couldn’t bring yourself to throw away. Add a twig stem, a couple of felt leaves, and a scrappy twine bow, and suddenly a basic embroidery hoop looks like it was always meant to be a pumpkin.
Use what you’ve got in your craft stash, mix up your favorite fall fabrics, and make yourself a whole little pumpkin patch!
