Burlap Pumpkins: Easy Rustic Fall Decor

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I was slowly—very slowly—pulling out my fall decorations when I came across a project I made years ago that I still love: these cute and incredibly easy DIY burlap pumpkins.

Burlap and pumpkins are two of my favorite things for fall decorating, so naturally I had to try combining them!

These rustic burlap pumpkins are simple to make, inexpensive, and a great way to add a little texture to your fall decor. And you don’t need a fancy sewing machine or a long list of craft supplies.

If you have some burlap, a needle and thread, stuffing and a little imagination, you can make your own

How to Make Burlap Pumpkins

These homemade burlap pumpkins are made by gathering a simple circle of burlap around stuffing and then adding a small branch for the stem.

The best part is that your circles don’t have to be perfect.

In fact, don’t worry about making them perfect!

A little unevenness just adds to the rustic look.

Step 1: Make a Circle From Burlap

Start by deciding how large you want your pumpkin to be.

For my smaller pumpkin, I used a dinner plate as a template.

Place the plate on your burlap and trace around it.

Burlap can be difficult to mark with a pencil, so you may find that chalk works better.

For the larger pumpkin, I simply free-handed a large circle directly onto the burlap.

And don’t worry if your circle isn’t perfectly round.

Once the fabric is gathered, you’ll never know!

Step 2: Cut Out the Burlap Circle

Cut out your burlap circle.

You can make your pumpkins any size you like, which makes this project especially fun if you want to create a little collection of pumpkins in different sizes.

Try making:

• Small pumpkins for shelves
• Medium pumpkins for a mantel
• Large pumpkins for a table centerpiece
• A group of different sizes for a fall vignette

Step 3: Thread Your Needle

Thread a large needle with nylon fishing line or another strong thread.

I like using nylon fishing line because it is strong enough to pull the burlap together without breaking as you gather the pumpkin.

Leave a long enough tail at the beginning so you can secure it later.

Tie a good-sized knot at the end.

Step 4: Stitch Around the Edge

Starting near the edge of your burlap circle, sew a simple running stitch all the way around.

I spaced my stitches about an inch apart.

You don’t have to worry about making the stitches perfectly even.

The goal is simply to create a line of stitching that you can pull to gather the fabric.

As you stitch and gently pull the thread, you’ll see the burlap begin to gather.

Step 5: Add the Stuffing

When you get close to completing the circle, start adding your stuffing.

This is where you can get creative!

You don’t have to use traditional fiberfill if you don’t have any.

For my smaller pumpkin, I used some old holey socks.

For the larger pumpkin, I used an old dish towel and paper towels.

Use whatever soft, pliable materials you have available.

Keep adding stuffing until your pumpkin has the fullness and shape you want.

Step 6: Pull the Pumpkin Closed

Once your pumpkin is stuffed, continue pulling the nylon line to gather the burlap around the top.

You’ll start to see the round piece of fabric turn into a pumpkin shape.

Pull the fabric snugly around the stuffing, but don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth.

Those little wrinkles and gathers are what give the pumpkin its rustic character.

Finish stitching around the opening and secure the thread.

Step 7: Add a Twig Stem

Now for the stem!

I simply cut a small branch from a tree in my backyard.

You can use a small twig, branch or another natural-looking stem.

Place it in the center of the gathered opening.

Then stitch back and forth around the base of the stem, pulling the burlap snugly around it.

For my larger pumpkin, I used four small stems wound together because the trees in my backyard were still pretty small.

I actually love the natural, imperfect look this gives the pumpkins.

Your DIY Burlap Pumpkin Is Finished!

And that’s it!

You now have a rustic burlap pumpkin that’s ready for fall decorating.

I love how simple these are.

They’re not supposed to look perfectly manufactured. The burlap texture, gathered fabric and natural twig stems are what give them their charm.

Make Burlap Pumpkins in Different Sizes

One of the easiest ways to make these look more interesting is to create several pumpkins in different sizes.

Make one large pumpkin, a couple of medium ones and a few small pumpkins.

Then arrange them together on:

• A fall mantel
• Dining room table
• Entryway table
• Kitchen island
• Coffee table
• Bookshelf
• Tiered tray
• Front porch

A group of pumpkins instantly creates a cozy fall display.

How to Decorate With Burlap Pumpkins

These rustic pumpkins work especially well with other natural fall textures.

Try combining them with:

Wood

Add wood slices, branches, candlesticks or other natural wood pieces.

Jute and Twine

The texture of jute looks beautiful with burlap and reinforces that rustic fall look.

Fall Leaves

Add faux or real leaves around your pumpkins for an easy autumn centerpiece.

White Pumpkins

Mix burlap pumpkins with white pumpkins for a softer neutral fall display.

Vintage Decor

Because burlap has such a rustic texture, it works beautifully with thrifted and vintage pieces.

Why I Love This Easy Fall Craft

What I love most about these DIY burlap pumpkins is that you don’t need to be an expert crafter.

The circles don’t need to be perfect.

The stitches don’t need to be perfect.

The stuffing doesn’t need to be fancy.

And the stems can literally come from your backyard.

That’s my kind of fall craft!

It’s also a great way to use up leftover burlap from other projects.

A Few Tips for Making Burlap Pumpkins

Don’t stress about perfect circles.
Once the burlap is gathered and stuffed, imperfections disappear.

Use strong thread.
You need something that can withstand the pulling and gathering without snapping.

Stuff them firmly.
A well-stuffed pumpkin will hold its shape better.

Use different sizes.
A collection of pumpkins looks more interesting than several identical ones.

Try natural stems.
Small branches give these pumpkins a simple, rustic look.

Use what you have.
Old socks, fabric scraps, towels and other soft materials can work as stuffing.

The Finished Burlap Pumpkins

I still love these little burlap beauties years later. You might be able to tell from the photos, but I made these over 10 years ago when I started my blog (can you tell from the photos?).

There’s just something about the combination of burlap, natural wood and pumpkins that feels like fall.

And since these are handmade, every pumpkin has its own little personality.

So if you have some burlap sitting in your craft stash, grab a needle and thread and make yourself a little pumpkin patch!

Other Fall DIY

DIY Velvet Pumpkins
DIY Industrial Metal Pumpkins
Thrift Store Cable Sweater Pumpkins
DIY Copper Wire Pumpkin
Free Autumn Pumpkin Printables
Hello Fall Free Printable
10 Budget-Friendly Fall DIYs