Fabric-Pattern Painted Pumpkin

Instead of carving a pumpkin this year, leave it whole and embellish it with one of your favorite fabric patterns — damask, trellis or chevron are all great options.
Stenciled Pumpkin

Painted Pumpkin Step 5

Instead of carving a pumpkin this year, leave it whole and embellish it with one of your favorite fabric patterns — damask, trellis or chevron are all great options.

Related To:

Materials Needed:

  • large, smooth-skinned pumpkin
  • small paintbrush
  • stencil sponge brush
  • acrylic craft paint
  • damask stencil
  • masking tape
  • paper plate

Tape Stencil

Use a piece of masking tape to secure the top and bottom of the stencil to the smoothest side of the pumpkin. Because pumpkins are curved, it's best to tape down and apply paint to the stencil in sections you have taped flat.

Painted Pumpkin

Stencil Painted Pumpkin Step 1

Use a piece of masking tape to secure the top and bottom of the stencil to the smoothest side of the pumpkin. Because pumpkins are curved, it's best to tape down and apply paint to the stencil in sections you have taped flat.

Paint Center of Pattern

Load a stencil sponge brush with acrylic craft paint, then blot most of the paint off onto a paper plate. It's important to have a very "dry" brush when using stencils to prevent the paint bleeding under the stencil. Using a light hand, blot paint onto the center portion of the stencil. If any part of the stencil is raised up off the pumpkin, hold it down while continuing to blot. When finished, allow the painted portion to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Paint Pattern's Edges

Remove the upper piece of masking tape and use it to secure the left side of the stencil to the pumpkin. Once it's in place, remove the lower piece of masking tape so the left side of the stencil is now lying flat against the pumpkin. Load up your brush and paint the left side of the stencil, using your fingers to firmly hold the stencil in place where necessary. Once that has dried, use a piece of masking tape to secure the right side of the stencil to the pumpkin, then remove the piece of tape of the left. Fill in the right portion of the stencil with craft paint, pressing down where necessary, and allow to dry before removing stencil.

Paint Stem

Use a small paintbrush to paint the stem in a coordinating shade. Allow to dry.

Fabric Painted Pumpkin

Painted Pumpkin Step 4

Use a small paintbrush to paint the stem in a coordinating shade. Allow to dry.

Next Up

How to Make Halloween Tombstones From Upcycled Styrofoam

Upgrade your outdoor Halloween decor and create a creepy graveyard scene with this easy-to-make Styrofoam tombstone complete with custom epitaphs.

How to Make a Life-Size Halloween Ghost

Create a life-size ghost for Halloween using cheesecloth and other inexpensive items. Hang it from a tree or place it on your front porch so passersby will shake in their boots.

20 Best Halloween Countdown Calendars

The countdown to Halloween is on! Start a fun new tradition with these festive calendars.

Halloween Party Magic: Make a Wicked Wine Cauldron + Ghostly Garnishes

Channel your inner spellcaster to magic up a wine-dispensing cauldron along with tastefully terrifying (and delicious!) liqueur-soaked fruit garnishes.

10 Fun Ways to Treat Your Favorite Pup This Halloween

Halloween isn't just for humans! Show your four-legged best friend some love with these festive dog treats, toys, accessories and costumes.

40+ Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Order Online

Are the holidays sneaking up on you? We've got you covered for the first one to hit the scene — Halloween — with costumes you can get delivered to your home in a matter of days.

How to Shave a Pumpkin Design for Halloween

Take your jack-o’-lantern carving to a new level by learning how to easily carve and scrape off the top layer of a pumpkin to give it layers for a 3D effect.

3 Ways to Put Outdoor Planters to Good Use This Halloween

It’s time you planted a whole lot more than mums on your porch this year. Try one of these creative planter ideas instead.

Halloween Pet Costume: Court Jester

This Halloween honor your pet's inner clown with an easy-to-sew felt jester costume. Our free printable templates make stitching up this playful costume a snap.

PSA: Target's Hyde & EEK! Boutique Is Back and We Want Everything

Halloween decorations have officially hit the shelves at Target! See their 2023 collection and snag our top picks while supplies last.

More from:

Halloween Ideas

What's New in Handmade

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.