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Scrap Fabric Pumpkin Pillow Cover – No-Sew Fall DIY

Get ready for a budget-friendly, sustainable fall pillow project. If you like unique one-of-a-kind home decor, you will love this cute pumpkin pillow made from scrap fabrics. This no-sew project is so easy anyone can do it. In addition, there are many other creative, budget-friendly scrap fabric projects that we will explore today.

Fall is in the air, and that means it’s time to start decorating for the season! Don’t throw those scrap fabrics away; instead, make your own no-sew pumpkin pillow cover. This project is perfect for using up those leftover scraps of fabric, and it’s so easy that even a beginner can do it.

When I first began to make scrap fabric pillow covers, I was inspired by an antique quilt that was my grandmother’s. The combination of many fabric scraps and colors inspired the Spring Flower Pillow, which launched many more seasonal scrap fabric projects.

This yard sale quilt inspires today’s project with so many fun colors.

Vintage Quilt is a Yard Sale Find

What To Do With Scrap Fabric?

As a lifelong crafter, I’ve collected fabric for years. My waste-not attitude has me hanging onto scraps of fabric most people would have tossed years ago. Therefore, when I started making scrap fabric pillow covers, I was glad to have the supplies ready for recycling.

Here are some great ideas if you have a collection and want to know what to do with scrap fabric. In addition, I’ll share how you can use them for this Pumpkin Pillow Cover.

  • Tassels
  • Quilts
  • Doll Clothing
  • Up-cycled clothing
  • Hair accessories
  • Fabric Wrapping Paper (sustainable)
  • Decoupage projects
  • Scrap Books
  • Book Covers
Stripes of fabric on quilt to match colors.
Scrap Fabric to coordinate with the quilt.

What Are Some Ideas For Making Recycle Scrap Fabric Pillows?

Use fabrics from baby’s clothing, bridal clothing, sportswear or uniforms, school or travel memorabilia, etc., to make gift pillows. Some gift ideas for creating a pillow would be for mothers, Brides, Graduation, and Grandparents, and use these unique occasion fabrics.

Here is some other pillows idea you might like as well.

Fall Pillow Cover made with scrap fabrics to make fall flowers.
Fall Flowers DIY Pillow Cover

What Materials Are Needed for Pumpkin Pillow Covers?

How To Make The Fabric Strips?

Begin by cutting a small starting point, approx. 1/4 – 1/2 inch wide on the fabric.

Cut a small amount to allow for the fabric to be ripped for scrap fabric project.

Next, rip the fabric by pulling both ends. This works better than cutting the strips because the fabric will curl naturally.

rip fabric into narrow strips to make a no-sew pumpkin pillow cover

Add a protective barrier inside the pillow cover

Because you are using permanent glue to attach the scrap fabric, you must place a barrier inside the pillow cover.

I use simple wax paper placed inside the cover to prevent the fabrics from adhering to each other.

Protect between pillow cover fabric with a sheet of wax paper.

How To Get The Design on the Pillow Cover?

Each of my pillow designs has been different. However, I usually begin with a template.

Draw a basic design that you want for your pillow cover. For this design, I wanted five small pumpkins.

To make the pillow more interesting, draw five different pumpkins and cut them from paper. This will allow you to lay the design out and make any adjustments before you begin.

Finally, trace each of the pumpkin shapes onto the pillow cover.

Draw Pumpkins onto pillow cover with sharpie pen.

Attach Recycled Scrap Fabric

Attaching the recycled scrap fabric is an easy process; however, you will have sticky fingers.

Begin by adding a small amount of permanent fabric glue to the outside edge of the pumpkin design. Next, twist a strip of the recycled scrap fabric and press it into the glue. You will need to hold it in place until it adheres, or you can add straight pins if required.

I have tried to apply wearing gloves to keep the glue off my fingers but found I didn’t have the necessary control of the fabric. Therefore, I just have sticky fingers. LOL

Add scrap fabric to pillow cover using permanent fabric glue to make small pumpkins for the fall pillow.

Next, add glue in small areas as you attach the fabric strips in the shape of pumpkins.

Add glue to adhere recycle scrap fabric to pillow cover.  Pumpkin shapes attached to pillow.

Be sure to fill the inside of each pumpkin shape. Add a stem to each pumpkin with a contrasting color of the fabric.

Fall Pillow Cover made with recycle scrap fabrics shaped like tiny pumpkins.  DIY Project

Insider Tip

When working with fabric glue, I find that it absorbs into the fabric quickly.

Therefore, work in small sections at a time.

Apply a bead of glue approximately two inches long, attached fabric, and repeat.

Optional Curls for Pumpkins

Because I’m a more is less kind of girl, I added some jute twine curls to the pumpkin stems.

To make the curl, mix a tiny amount of water with the glue and dampen the jute string in the mixture.

Use a piece of tape to attach the jute to the straw and wrap it around it until the twine is dry.

Make jute twine curls by adding glue and straw.

Once dry, you should have curly jute twine. In addition, I added some twine to a toothpick for a tighter curl.

Jute twine curls are optional for the scrap fabric pumpkin pillow cover.

Click Image For Details

Using the permanent glue, attach as many curls as you’d like to the stem area of each pumpkin.

Close up view of pink pumpkin made from scrap fabric for what you can do with scrap fabric.

Finished Pumpkin Pillow for Fall

The colors in the recycled scrap fabrics work great with the vintage quilt.

Scrap Fabric Pumpkin Pillow on Vintage Quilt - Fall DIY Project and Craft ideas for using scraps.

Be sure to watch the video tutorial as well.

DIY Pumpkin Pillow Cover Video

The guest bedroom is ready for fall guests with this fun fall pillow.

DIY Recycle Scrap Fabric Pumpkin Pillow Cover added to guest bedroom bed with large pumpkin and vintage quilt.
Yield: One Pillow Cover

DIY Scrap Fabric Fall Pillow Cover Tutorial

DIY Scrap Fabric Fall Pillow Cover Tutorial

What to do with scrap fabric? You can recycle scrap fabric by making this fun DIY pumpkin pillow cover that’s an easy, no sew and budget friendly scrap fabric project.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 40 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost 10.00

Materials

  • Scrap Fabrics
  • Pillow Cover
  • Sharpie Pen
  • Permanent Fabric Glue
  • Jute Twine (optional)
  • Pumpkin Template

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Straight pins
  • Straw (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rip scrap fabric into strips 1/4-1/2 inch wide
  2. Place protective barrier inside pillow cover (wax paper(
  3. Trace pumpkin templates onto the pillow cover with sharpie
  4. Add glue in small sections of the pumpkin pattern beginning on the outer edge.
  5. attach strips of fabric by twisting the fabric and adhering to the glue.
  6. Hold in place until attached or use pins to secure until dry.
  7. Continue until all pumpkins are complete with stems
  8. Option - add curled jute twine to stem area
  9. To make curls, drip twine in a mixture of glue and water and wrap around a straw until dry.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Thanks so much for stopping by. I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

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How to Make a Scrap Fabric Pumpkin Pillow Cover for Fall Decor and Autumn decorating.

Kimberly

Wednesday 11th of September 2024

Just adorable and a celebration of my favorite season of all! Always love your DIY crafts and creations!

Rachel

Thursday 12th of September 2024

Kimberly, I really appreciate you for stopping by and your sweet comment.

Cathy

Monday 9th of September 2024

Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Love this pillow. I have many scraps so I think I might try to make one for my girls. What a beautiful room you have!

Rachel

Thursday 12th of September 2024

Cathy, I'm so glad you feel you can make this project. It's so rewarding. Let me know how it turns out.

Stacy Ling

Saturday 12th of August 2023

wow such a cute and cozy DIY!

Rachel

Sunday 13th of August 2023

Stacy, Thank you.

Jen

Thursday 10th of August 2023

You always have the best DIY ideas, Rachel. I love your scrap fabric pumpkin pillow cover. So cute!

Rachel

Thursday 10th of August 2023

Jen, I appreciate this.

AnnMarie | Simply2Moms

Thursday 10th of August 2023

Rachel, these pillow covers are so cute! Such a fun DIY idea for Fall! Love them friend!!

Rachel

Thursday 10th of August 2023

AnnMarie, I really appreciate this.

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