Denim Country Pumpkins

Don't ditch those old, worn out jeans. Instead, use them to create a fun Halloween craft that you can display all autumn long. Denim Country Pumpkins will fit in perfectly with traditional gourds - this old jeans craft idea is perfect for anyone who wants to save on supplies. These Denim Country Pumpkins will certainly add to the rustic feel that autumn brings. Blue jean crafts are great for the environment and for your wallet. Create a few old jean crafts this season and let autumn spirit abound.

Materials:

• Adult-size blue jeans
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle
• Black or off white crochet thread
• Stuffing
• 5-inch soft-sculpture needle
• Small branch
• Chop saw
• Hot glue gun
• Silk fall leaves
• Pip berries
• Raffia

Instructions:

1. Cut the hem off of one leg on a pair of adult-size blue jeans. Measure up 10 to 12 inches from the bottom edge of the jean leg. Cut across the width of the leg. You now have a jean tube.
   
   
    
2. Thread an embroidery needle with black or off white crochet thread. Either color will coordinate with the jean fabric. Bring the ends together and knot so that you have a double strand of thread.
   
   
    
3. Turn the tube wrong side out. Sew a running stitch around one open end of the jean tube, 1/2 inch from the end. When you have stitched all the way around the tube, insert the needle between the strands, right above the knot. This will prevent the knot from pulling through the denim, causing you to lose your previous stitches. Cinch the opening closed. Wrap the remaining thread around the gathers approximately five times. Take a few stitches in one place, knot and cut the thread. 
    
4. Turn your jean pumpkin right side out. Fill the pumpkin with stuffing. Sew a running stitch around the opening. Cinch to gather, leaving an opening approximately 1/2 inch in diameter.  Knot and cut the thread.
   
   
    
5. Thread approximately 3 yards of the crochet thread on a long soft-sculpture needle. Knot one end of the thread. The thread is to make your pumpkin spines. If you are not comfortable working with such a long length of thread you can make it shorter. When you reach the end of the length, knot and finish off on one pumpkin end before adding more thread.
    
6. Make the spines. Take a stitch in the edge of the top opening of the pumpkin. Insert the needle down through the center of the pumpkin and out the bottom. Wrap the thread up the side and insert down the center and out the bottom again. Cinch to pucker the spine and form the pumpkin side. Repeat around the pumpkin until you have six equally spaced spines around the pumpkin. Knot and cut the thread.
    
7. Gather a small branch from your yard with an approximate 1/2 inch diameter. Use a chop saw to cut the branch into a stick approximately 3 inches long. Fill the opening in the top of the pumpkin with hot glue and insert the stick to create the pumpkin's stem.
   
   
   
   
    
8. Add a couple of silk fall leaves, pip berries and raffia around the stem to embellish.
   
   

Check out the ultimate Halloween guide, which featured 287 DIY Halloween ideas for costumes, decorations, accessories, props and much more.