3 Easy Methods to Make the BEST Paper Mache Pumpkins!

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial here!

A paper mache pumpkin is a great beginner-friendly project paper mache sculpture. Today I'm going to walk you step-by-step through three easy methods to make a paper mache pumpkin. And the best thing? I'm sure you can make at least one of these craft projects with things you already have around the house! All three methods are great, which one do you think is the best way to make a paper mache pumpkin?

Follow the links for further tutorials on how to turn your paper mache pumpkin into a cute and spooky jack o'lantern, a kitch and practical pumpkin basket, or even a cute little home for a wizard toad!

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Method 1

Materials Needed:

• Plastic shopping bag (or reusable bag)
• Stuffing material (plastic bags, old wrapping paper, packing paper, old pillow stuffing, etc.)
• Twine or yarn
• Masking tape
• Paper mache supplies (glue, paper, etc.)

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Step 1: Stuff the Bag

• Take your plastic bag and fill it with your stuffing material. 
• Adjust the shape to your liking. Do want a round chubby pumpkin? Or maybe you'd prefer a flatter squashed squash? Now is the time to adjust the shape to your liking!

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Step 2: Tie off the Bag

• ​Once the bag is filled, tie the bag handles securely with an overhand knot. 
• If you struggle to get a knot tied, use a rubber band or masking tape to secure it.

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Step 3: Prepare the Twine

• Cut eight pieces of twine, long enough to wrap around your pumpkin with extra length.
• Tie the twine pieces together at the center. Spread out the lengths of twine to form a starburst pattern.

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Step 4: Attach the Twine

• Position the stuffed bag on top of the twine.
• Take opposite strings and tie them around the pumpkin, alternating as you go, to create the pumpkin segments.

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Step 5: Form the Stem

• Stand up the remaining twine and bundle it with the bag handles to create a stem.
• Wrap tape around the bundle for stability.
• Fold the twine back onto itself for extra volume.

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Step 6: Cover in Paper Mache

• Use your preferred paper mache technique to cover the entire pumpkin. Check my detailed Paper Mache tutorial video for my favourite method - or read the article here!

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Step 7: Dry and Decorate

• Allow your pumpkin to dry thoroughly before carving or decorating it as you like!
• Check out what I did with this particular pumpkin here!

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Method 2

Materials Needed

• Paper bag (any size)
• Packing paper (or other stuffing material)
• Masking tape
• Aluminum foil (for the stem)

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Step 1: Prepare the Paper Bag

• Crunch and un-crunch your paper bag a few times to soften it.
• Stuff the bag with wads of packing paper.  Adjust the shape to your liking.

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Step 2: Tape closed

• Tape the top of the bag closed.
• Tape down the corners, if you'd like. 

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Step 3: Segment and Smooth

• Use masking tape to create segments. Push grooves into the bag and tape them down by tightly wrapping masking tape around the pumpkin.
• Use extra masking tape to smooth out any wrinkles.

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Step 4: Make the Stem

• Scrunch up some aluminum foil to create a curly pumpkin stem.
• Tape the base of the stem to the top of your pumpkin.

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Step 5: Cover in Paper Mache

• Use your preferred paper mache technique to cover the entire pumpkin. Check my detailed Paper Mache tutorial video for for my favourite method - or read the article here!

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Step 6: Dry and Decorate

• Allow your pumpkin to dry thoroughly before carving or decorating it as you like!
• Check out what I did with this particular pumpkin here!

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Method 3

Materials Needed:

• Plastic storage bag
• Rubber bands
• Scissors
• Tape (electrical tape, scotch tape, or packing tape)
• Polyester fiber fill (or old pillow stuffing)

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Step 1: Prepare the Plastic Bag

• If you want, adjust the shape of your storage bag by cutting down one side and taping up the cut edge.

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Step 2: Stuff the Bag

• Fill the bag with polyester fiber fill and use a rubber band to close the top. 
• Wrap the rubber band upwards as you go to create the stem of your pumpkin.

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Step 3: ​Form the Stem

• Trim the stem to length

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Step 4:  Segment the Pumpkin

• Wrap rubber bands around the stuffed bag to create segments.
• Wrap the rubber bands tightly enough that they compress the stuffing inside.

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Step 5: Cover in Paper Mache

• Use your preferred paper mache technique to cover the entire pumpkin. Check my detailed Paper Mache tutorial video for for my favourite method - or read the article here!
• If you have difficulty getting your paper mache to stick to the storage bag, try using paper towels for the first layer. Let that dry before applying subsequent layers.

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Step 6:  Dry and Decorate

• Allow your pumpkin to dry thoroughly before carving or decorating it as you like!
• Check out what I did with this particular pumpkin here!

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You can check out the tutorial videos for all the pumpkins in this series below or find lots of other budget-friendly art projects on my YouTube Channel.
If you give this project a try, it would make my day if you’d share it with me. I’m @JaneSawyerMakes on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, Threads,  and Twitter (X). Please share and pin this article!