How to make a pumpkin cushion

1. Materials & tools

Materials (For the standard size (32 cm across, 8 panels))

• Main fabric (velour, cotton or felt) — about 110 cm wide × 50 cm
• Contrast fabric (green or brown, for the stem and leaf) — about 20 × 20 cm
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing — about 200–300 g (depends on the size)
• Strong thread (button thread) and a long needle — to pull in the top and bottom
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Home” → “Pumpkin cushion” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the finished diameter, finished height and number of panels. Presets for small (decoration), standard and large (cushion).
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Decide the size and panels
   More panels give a rounder pumpkin with more ridges. Cut one boat-shaped panel per panel count.
2. Cut
   Cut the panels, one stem and two leaves. Mark the center notches on each panel too.

4. Sewing

4-1. Join the panels

1. Place two panels right sides together and sew one long edge from tip to tip. Matching the notches keeps it from twisting.
2. Add the panels one at a time. Sew the last seam leaving a 10 cm opening in the middle to close the ball.
3. Backstitch where the tips meet at the top and bottom.

4-2. Turn and stuff

1. Turn it out through the opening and stuff a little at a time so it doesn't clump.
2. Close the opening with a ladder stitch.

4-3. Pull in the top and bottom

1. With strong thread on a long needle, stitch straight from the top center to the bottom center and back a few times, pulling it in.
2. How hard you pull sets the depth of the dimple. Knot it when you like the shape.

4-4. Add the stem and leaf

1. Sew the stem into a tube right sides together, turn, stuff and slipstitch it to the top center.
2. Sew the two leaf pieces right sides together and turn (or use one layer of felt), then sew it at the base of the stem.

✏️ Trim the seam allowance at the panel tips diagonally before turning, so the point where they all meet isn't bulky.

5. Tips & variations

• Change the season with color: orange for Halloween; white, green or muted tones for autumn decor.
• Add a face: black felt eyes, nose and mouth turn it into a jack-o'-lantern.
• Group different sizes: small, standard and large together dress up a shelf or entryway.