Monday, September 9, 2013

MAKE A MESH PUMPKIN

There are so many really cool door decorations and wreaths for Fall.... but we all know how really expensive they can be. You know you can make them yourself. I know, I know, you get a little queasy feeling when I say that.... but you can. Really.

Let's try something simple, and I've even show you the step-by-step  directions, and I know you can tackle this! This project comes from Mardi Gras Outlet, and can be done in just a few easy steps!

Here's what you'll do....
(And if you're having a problem viewing the whole picture, just click on it to enlarge)


Pumpkin season is around the corner, so we created a cute pumpkin door decoration out of decorative poly mesh and an orange work wreath form. This wreath/door decoration was super easy to make and would be great for fall or Halloween.  I hope it inspires you to make a pumpkin of your own.
Happy Fall, y'all!
TIP: A work wreath form is a wire form that has tinsel wire ties attached. The tinsel ties are used to attach whatever medium you are using to create a wreath (orange deco mesh). The wreath form has two rows of ties. When creating a standard wreath you start on the inner ring and work outward. For this project, we are mainly using the outer ring. You will be adding the mesh in a zig zag pattern from top to bottom instead working around the wreath. For more information on using  a wire wreath form in the standard format, see our video tutorial: Work wreaths work miracles for crafters.

 Start with the wire wreath form in front of you. There are 10 ties on the outer ring of the form. Imagine the round form is a clock. Start in the 2 o'clock position. Gather the end of the orange deco mesh and place it in this tie. Twist the ties together to secure the mesh in place. Tuck the cut end of the deco mesh into the center of the form to hide.

 Move down the deco mesh approximately 1 foot and gather a section in your hand. Gather from each side to achieve fullness. Skip the side tie (3 o'clock position). Attach the gathered section into the 4 o'clock- wire tie. Adjust and puff the mesh as you go.  

 Gather a section of orange mesh approximately 1.5 feet down the roll. Adjust your length as needed to get the fullness you want on the pumpkin. Twist this gathered section into the wire tie at the top. Remember you are moving across the wire form from top to bottom-right to left. Adjust and fluff the mesh so it puffs out and sideways- aiming for a pumpkin shape.

 Continue across the wreath form- up and down between wire ties. Adjust the length of mesh as needed to make the pumpkin fuller in the middle. Once you reach the other side, attach you mesh into the last wire tie. Tuck the remaining end piece into the back of the form to hide.

For the stem:
1. Cut a piece of 4" ribbon approximately 2 feet long.
2. Trim the ends into a clean shape- we used an inverted V cut.
3. Fold the ribbon in half.
4. At the top, roll the ribbon into a tube.
5. Using a piece of deco flex tubing in a coordinating color, tie the curled end to secure. This will form the stem of our pumpkin.
Use the deco flex tubing to tie the stem on the top of the pumpkin. Add additional 4" ribbon to the top for fullness. The flex tubing looks like vines, so we added more of that as well. To create curling vines with the deco mesh tubing. Create two large loops and tie in the center. . Tie the tubing onto the stem.These loops can be adjusted to curl instead of hang
Fluff the orange mesh, vines and stem as needed. Be sure to tuck in any tinsel ties that are visible. Your pumpkin is complete. Cute, inexpensive, lightweight, weatherproof and will not rot- what else could you ask for in a pumpkin?

One last idea: cut out Jack-o-Lantern eyes, nose and mouth; pin onto the deco mesh. Your fall pumpkin will transform into a Halloween jack-o-lantern. What fun!

 To purchase supplies for this project, visit MardiGrasOutlet.com