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Rustic Wool Pumpkins With Angry Gnarled Stems...


Rustic wool pumpkins with angry gnarled stems...
I adore these sweet little pumpkins made from 
Hand Dyed and Mill Dyed wool.

And, how about those twisted stems !
Can you guess where they came from ?

They take about 10 minutes to make !
Want to know how ??








I traced a lid from a large pot, onto paper, 
and cut out my template.
(My template is about 10 and 3/4 inches round.)
(27.30cm)
Pin the template onto a piece of wool.



Cut out the circle of wool.
This does not have to be precise.  
The pumpkin is very forgiving. ;)



Using upholstery thread, stitch a running stitch around the perimeter of the circle, about 1/4 inch from the edge.



(You can use cotton covered polyester thread, 
however Upholstery Thread will not tear 
when you tightly cinch in the pumpkin.)



Leave the needle attached to the wool fabric and 
pull the running stitch to cinch in the opening.



Fill with your choice of "stuffing"...
polyester fiberfill, fabric scraps, etc.
Don't overfill...
you want the pumpkin to be soft with the pleated folds
showing, to resemble the ribs on a pumpkin.



Place a dollop of glue in the center...
I used Fabri Tac, however you could 
use a glue gun also.
This is not so much to glue the stem firmly
 in place, as it is to just give it an 'anchor'.



Insert stem into glue and press down into the fiber fill.
I have a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick that I cut limbs from.
It is amazingly contorted and all of the limbs 
grow twisted and gnarled...perfect for this project.
(Actually, I use the limbs in many projects.)

And, as a bonus, the tree is unbelievably beautiful 
in winter when the leaves are off.



Tightly cinch in the opening around the stem 
and randomly sew the folds together around the stem.







These pumpkins will be available at the

I will also be demonstrating Punch Needle Embroidery 
and will be offering Hand Dyed Wool, 
Wool Applique Patterns, Punch Needle Patterns, 
gorgeous Valdani Perle Cotton for Punch Needle 
and Embroidery and other wooly good items.

I will be located on a lovely porch at 
206 South Spruce Street.

The Porchwalk will host approximately 33 juried artists 
and craftsmen for two days...
Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5, 2013.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days.

The Weatherman is forecasting "Indian Summer" weather.
Warm, sunny days in October - 
perfect to stroll the Historic town of Lititz, PA
while stopping at the many welcoming porches 
filled with talent.

Spend the day in Lititz and see why it was voted


Spend some time 'taking in' 
the sights and smells of Autumn...
Rose



20 comments:

  1. Oh I love theses! The stems make them. Maria

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  2. These are awesome Rosé! Thanks for the tutorial... Love them! Karen

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  3. Those are wonderful Rose, going to have to make some, thanks for the tutorial.

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  4. These are awesome! Looks like I'm going to have to add a walking stick plant to my yard! :-)

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  5. Just awesome.
    I love them.
    So easy too.
    I sew my with machine, but love these.
    I will surely try.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Woolie Hugs

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  6. Ps Wish I wasn't going away or I would love to come see you!

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  7. How cute. Wish I could journey to your town, but other commitments.

    You do lovely work Rose.

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  8. Excited to hopefully see them tomorrow if we can find a place to park. That's always my problem for this type of event. The weather should definitely help bring lots of "walkers" to your porch.

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  9. I have a Harry Lauder in the shop garden ~ it is an awesome tree, isn't it?
    Love your li'l punks ~
    L

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  10. These are great and they look so easy to make!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Karen

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  11. What a great tutorial Rose. They're so cute. Also wanted to let you know that if all goes well, my hubby and I will be coming to the porchwalk. I can't wait to meet you, Susan and Teresa. Looks like it will be a fun day.

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  12. Hi Rose-

    Those pumpkins are so cute. I think I'll try my hand at making some. Thanks for sharing.

    Gosh- I just love, love, your wool colors. and yes- the caterpillar is a great color.

    Your needle punch Snowmen are adorable. I really, really, like the "Farm Show Sheep', Still Of The Night', and Autumn's Prize' as well.

    Those tobacco pictures are fascinating, I've never seen real tobacco leaves before, I would love to see them in person some day.

    Your visit to Glen Mills looks positively lovely, what a charming place to visit. I would love it too.

    Congrats on being featured in the Sweet Living magazine. I've always liked your applique turtle.
    I've not heard of that magazine before, what an inspiration! I am going to look for it on my next trip to Barnes & Noble, as I would like to have a copy.

    Take care Rose-
    It's been so nice getting to know you.
    :) Becka

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  13. Awesome pumpkins! Love the gnarled stems just perfect!

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  14. I love your pumpkins and I love the stems. They just make that pumpkin look incredible.
    I hope you have the most beautiful day today.

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  15. How adorable your little pumpkins are, Rose! I was thinking those gnarly stems came from some thick ivy. :) How I wish I was near so I could have enjoyed the porchwalk. What a fun and friendly idea, and a great way to meet the participating artists, I'm sure. Hope you had a wonderful time! :)

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  16. This is awesome! Very cool looking! I have been wanting to make some of these for a while now, thank you for sharing the process!

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  17. Thanks for the wool pumpkin tutorial. Looking forward to the artisians porchwalk too! Thanks Rose.

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  18. Thanks for the tutorial! Looking forward to making some. Thanks Rose

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  19. Oh thank you so much for this great tutorial--love these artsy pumpkins so much I'm going to make baby ones...hugs, Julierose

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  20. Thanks for sharing this! I have two Harry Lauder's walking sticks and would never have thought to use them like this. What a great idea!

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