Looking for budget-friendly ways to update old pumpkins for fall decorating? Would you like to make cheap Dollar Tree Pumpkins look like designer high-end fall decor? Check out this easy napkin decoupage Dollar Tree Pumpkin tutorial. It’s perfect for beginners, and it’s a great craft project for the kids.
Pumpkins are a favorite way to decorate for Fall, and I’ve collected my fair share over the years. Several of mine are cheap Dollar Tree versions, which have received several coats of paint over the years. When I found some cute Fall napkins, I decided to decoupage some of these cheap pumpkins for a cute, updated look.
With this easy napkin decoupage technique, you can turn cheap Dollar Tree Pumpkins into fabulous fall decorations.
In addition, there are a couple of tips that I learned which will save you from making the same mistakes.
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Table of contents
What Supplies Are Needed For Napkin Decoupage Pumpkins?
- Dollar Tree Faux Pumpkins, or Click here for more small pumpkins
- Mod Podge
- Paper Napkins – See Large Selection of Fall Napkins Here.
- Paint Brush
The First Mistake I Made
I was so excited about these cute sunflower napkins and thought I’d put them on all the pumpkins. Unfortunately, they didn’t looks so great on the small pumpkins. After making a couple, I quickly removed the original napkin and mod podge because they were not very pretty.
So it’s important to consider is the scale of the pattern on your napkin compared to the size of your pumpkin. I found that a large scale print, such as the sunflower pattern, works best on a larger pumpkin. A smaller scale pattern works much better on the smaller pumpkins. I will share both versions.
Here is a small pumpkin with a small pattern napkin. This size works well on my this fall tablescape.
You can see the DIY Plaster Leaf Plate Chargers Tutorial to make your own.
Prepare the Napkins
The first step is to separate your napkins. Most paper napkins are three-ply and all three layers need to be separated to begin.
A friend shared a tip to make separating the napkins much easier. Simply apply a piece of tape to the napkin along the edge and gently lift the layers apart. Why didn’t I think of that? LOL
Cut Napkins
There are a few options for this next step. You can choose to cut a design out from the napkin and apply the design randomly on the pumpkin or you can cut the napkin into sections to apply all over the entire pumpkin. In addition, you can place a hole in the center of the napkin to allow the stem to pass through and basically drape the napkin over the pumpkin.
Because I wanted the design to completely cover the pumpkins, I choose to cut the napkin into sections.
Insider Tip
When covering my first pumpkin, I began using large pieces because I thought the pattern would be more visible and visually appealing. However, using smaller pieces makes the process quicker and easier and you can’t tell where the napkin pieces are joined. You can make the process easy on yourself because, you really can’t make a mistake with this easy DIY.
Apply Mod Podge & Napkins to Dollar Tree Pumpkins
Now you are ready to begin applying the napkin to the pumpkin. Using a paintbrush apply the mod podge over the surface of the pumpkin. If you are working with a larger pumpkin, you should do this in sections to avoid glue drying.
Next begin placing the napkin pieces onto the pumpkin being sure to press the napkin into the creases of the pumpkin in order to maintain it’s shape.
Continue until the entire pumpkin is covered or until you are satisfied with the design.
Using the paint brush and mod podge, you can continue to smooth the napkin by brushing gently.
Allow to Dry Throughly
Once your pumpkin is dry, you may desire another coat of mod podge to preserve the pumpkin for future seasons.
The sunflower pumpkins dried beautifully and had a velvet appearance when displayed.
They look like high-end pumpkins with their new coats.
Dollar Tree Pumpkins Transformed
The smaller pumpkins were covered in a small-scale fruit napkin, and I couldn’t resist making several to display together in a wooden dough bowl.
The Dollar Tree pumpkin looks stunning on a thrifted candlestick for fall.
Arrange in the smaller Dollar Tree Decoupaged Pumpkins in a dough bowl for more impact.
The possibilities for using napkin decoupage are unlimited.
Additional Decorating Ideas
See tin cans dressed with napkin decoupage here.
Easy Napkin Decoupage Christmas Ornaments.
Decorative Box Transformation with Napkin Decoupage.
See these 10 free fall decorating ideas for more budget-friendly ideas.
You will also love this $1.00 Thrift Store Lamp Decoupage Transformation.
You might like to see my Pumpkin Craft with wool Dryer Balls.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
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Ivory
Monday 14th of October 2024
Absolutely stunning! I gotta do this. You made it look easy. That’s for your step by step instructions
Rachel
Tuesday 15th of October 2024
Ivory, It's very easy and I know you can do it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. It mean a lot.
Renae
Tuesday 5th of September 2023
Super cute pumpkins!
Rachel
Wednesday 6th of September 2023
Renae, Thank you! They are easy to make.
MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)
Tuesday 5th of September 2023
Rachel, your decoupage pumpkins are so pretty! I love the paper napkins that you used! Thanks for the great tutorial! You have made it sound so simple!
Rachel
Wednesday 6th of September 2023
Mary-Ann, Thank you. They are really easy to make. I hope you give it a try.
Lynette
Tuesday 5th of September 2023
Love these! But I want to know about the leaves under the plates?
Rachel
Tuesday 5th of September 2023
Lynette, They are a DIY project also. You can see the DIY plaster leaves plate chargers at https://www.thepondsfarmhouse.com/diy-plate-chargers-fall-leaf/
How to Make The Best Fall DIY Pumpkins -
Tuesday 23rd of August 2022
[…] Next pumpkin, is a collection of some beautifully napkin decoupaged pumpkins by the extremely creative Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse. Her decoupaged pumpkins give off such a great vintage vibe to them. She even did a large pumpkin using sunflower napkins. It is a must see post to pin! For more pictures and steps on how to make these pumpkins visit her post, How to Napkin Decoupage Dollar Tree Pumpkins. […]