SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- Rit DyeMore for Synthetics: Super Pink, Royal Purple, Apricot
- Velvet
- Fabric Scissors
- Uncooked Rice
- Polyester Stuffing
- Needle Thread
- Dried Pumpkin Stem or Stick
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- Rubber Bands
- Stainless Steel Pot for Dyeing
- Measuring Cup
- Salt
- Rubber Gloves
- Paper Towels
- Plastic Table Cover
DIRECTIONS:
- Cut out 15-20" circles from velvet fabric.
- Pinch center of circle and wrap rubber band 1/2" from the pinched center and wrap another rubber band down the length.
- To create your dyebath, fill a stainless steel pot with three gallons of hot water. Cover pot and heat water on stove top to just below boiling (or 180F).
- Wearing gloves, add 1/2 bottle of well-shaken dye and mix well.
- Add bound velvet circles into dyebath. Stir occasionally for 5 to 30 minutes. The longer the fabric is in the dye bath, the darker the color will be. Please note that fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter.
- When desired color is achieved, remove wrapped fabric from the dyebath. Let cool and squeeze out excess dye.
- Repeat to create another dyebath color to create dip dyed look.
- Carefully remove rubber bands with a scissors and unfold the fabric. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.
- Once dry, sew a basting stich around the edge of circle and gather.
- Fill velvet pumpkin with 1 cup of uncooked rice and fill the remainder with polyester stuffing.
- Tighten and secure the gathered fabric with a knot. Bring needle and thread through the pumpkin, out the bottom and create a stitch to make a little dimple. Bring the needle and thread back up and secure with a knot.
- Hot glue dried pumpkin stem over gathered fabric.