DIY 3D Paper Pumpkin Craft – Perfect for Fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Instructions

Step 1: Download my free 3D Paper Pumpkin SVG, PDF, and PNG!

If you already have access to my members-only resource library, you can head straight there and download pattern C16. If you don't yet have access, it's FREE! Just click here or fill out the form in this post and you'll get the password and instructions via email within moments. Once you sign up, you'll have access to a lot of other projects too!

Once you download the pattern, you will need to unzip/extract the file to get to the individual patterns.

Step 2: Decide on the size paper pumpkin you want to make

Once you have the individual pattern files, you will need to decide on which you want to use. If you are making a pumpkin that's about 5" in diameter or smaller, then you should use the file called "Pumpkin - Small and Medium". If you want to make a pumpkin that is larger than that, use the file called "Pumpkin - Extra Large".

Step 3: Upload the Paper Pumpkin SVG file into Design Space

You have two options here. Now you can either upload the SVG file to Design Space (or whatever software you use for your cutting machine), or you can click the Design Space link included in the Zip file.

Option 1: Upload the 3D Paper Pumpkin SVG

Open Design Space

Click "New Project"

Click "upload"

Click "Browse"

Then navigate to the files you just unzipped and double click on the SVG you want to use

Click "upload"

Select the file you just uploaded from your library and click "add to canvas"

Option 2: Click the Design Space share link

I'm testing out including design space links. If you use this link (and it works the way it should!), you should be able to skip Step 4 and go straight to sizing and cutting! Just click the link in my "Links" file to access my design through Design Space.

Now that the design is imported, you may notice that there are multiple pieces. You have the main portion of the pumpkin, the stem, a leaf, and a tendril.

Step 4: Add score lines to make creating these paper pumpkins easier

The first thing we need to do is convert some of our lines to score lines.

First, right-click anywhere, click ungroup.

Now look at the object list on the right-hand side - you'll see a plus sign looking shape with a bunch of small lines under it that each say "basic cut".

We need to change these lines to score lines.

To do this, select each of these small lines, then click the "Operations" drop-down and select "Score".

If you have a PC you can hold down the CTRL button and click each of the intended score lines to select them all at once.

Now, once that's done, you need to attach the score lines to the shape. Select all the score lines and the plus sign-looking shape (it's brown) at once, right-click, and then choose "attach".

One way to do this easily is to click and hold near the shape, then drag your cursor to the other side of the shape and release the button. This will select it all at once!

If you need more help with this step, just watch my video to see it in action!

Step 5: Resize the Pumpkin

Now it's time to resize your pumpkin pattern!

As you may know, you can only cut up to 11.5"x11.5" when using a 12x12 cutting mat. If as you change the size of the pattern, you exceed that size, you will get an error message. If that happens, shrink the size of the design a bit and try again.

When resizing the design, make sure to select all the pieces at once and then stretch the design. You want to select everything so that all the pieces change in size at the same rate. You don't want to double the size of the pumpkin but leave the size of the stem the same for example.

Step 6: Cut your pumpkin out of cardstock

Now we're ready to cut! Woohoo!

Just click "Make it" and follow the prompts.

I like to glance at each virtual mat and see if I can combine any of them. Sometimes for example, it will try to cut some of the "orange" pieces on multiple mats when they can actually fit on one.

Did you know that you can move pieces from a virtual mat to another? To do this, click on the three dots next to the item you want to move and then click "move". Then select the mat you want to move it to. You will now need to move things around so they don't overlap.

Once you're done with this step, click "continue".

Now you'll need to pick you material. From within Design Space, select the material that matches your cardstock. For example, if you are using glitter cardstock, you need to make sure to pick that as your material or the machine won't cut it through all the way.

If you are using a Cricut Explore machine, turn your dial to "custom" and then choose your material from within Design Space.

Tip: Always keep your Explore Air dial set to custom so you are always prompted to choose your material. Before I started doing this, I often forgot to adjust my dial!

4. Check the tools list. You will see that you need a scoring wheel or scoring stylus and the fine tip blade. Make sure that these are in your machine.

Tip: If you don't have a scoring tool, just place a Cricut-friendly pen in that slot instead. It won't score your cardstock but it will allow the machine to continue AND mark where you need to fold your paper for you!

5. Now look at Design space to identify what color cardstock you need. For example, if you see the leaf will be cut first, grab the cardstock you want to use for your leaf. Place that cardstock on a light or standard grip cutting mat. Then load the mat into your machine, press the flashing double arrows and then the flashing C. Your machine should now start cutting the cardstock!

Tip: For the base of the pumpkin, I like to use two different colors! For example, for a standard orange pumpkin, I would pick an orange color and then pick a slightly darker orange. This gives more depth to the final product! You don't need to stick with "standard" colors though! For example, I LOVE my gold pumpkin! A black 3D paper pumpkin would also make a great Halloween decoration!

6. When it's done cutting, just click the double arrow again to unload the mat and repeat #5 again until you've cut all your pieces.

Step 6: Assemble your Paper Pumpkin Base

Now we finally get to the really fun part! Getting to see our pumpkin come to life!

Small Paper Pumpkin Assembly

Let's start with how to assemble the smaller paper pumpkin pattern. Start by grabbing the two parts that look like an "X". the circle in the middle is the base of your pumpkin and each "arm" looking piece is going to be part of the side. The little circles at the end of each arm will make up the top of the pumpkin.

Grab something cylindrical like a pen, pencil, your scoring stylus etc. Scrape the edge of it along each arm to curl the arms making sure that each arm is curling inwards. Do this for both pieces.

Now grab the smaller of the two "X" shapes and glue the circle of each arm to each other to make a ball.

Now we're going to glue the shape you just made to the larger "X". To do this, we're going to glue the base of the shape you made to the inner circle of the larger X. When you do this, make sure you align the two pieces so that the arms of the bigger "X" align with the space in between the arms of the shape you just made.

Now just glue each of those arms to the top of the shape we made previously so that we have a complete 3D paper pumpkin!

Watch my video tutorial to see this step in action for a great visual!

Large Paper Pumpkin Assembly

For the larger pumpkins, we have an extra step. For the larger pumpkins, you need to glue the individual "arms" together to make each "X" and then you can follow the steps for the small paper pumpkin.

When doing this, make sure that you don't mix up the smaller arms with the larger arms.

Now just follow the same steps for the smaller pumpkins above!

Step 7: Assemble Your 3D Paper Pumpkin Stem

Now we're going to put the together. Start by folding along the score lines to make the process a bit easier. There should be four score lines at the very center of the stem and then one along each arm near the edge. Once you fold them, all you do is glue the tops together to form a bit of a box. Take a look at my video if you need a visual.

Step 8. Curl your paper tendril and assemble all the pieces

We're just about done! Now we get to put the finishing touches on our paper pumpkin craft and put it all together!

Find the long thin piece and use your fingers to curl it. Then stretch it out a bit.

Next, glue your leaf to the top of the pumpkin. I like to have the edge of the leaf aligned with the center of the pumpkin - so that the leaf itself is off center. Then I like to glue the tendril to the center of the pumpkin on top of the leaf and then glue the stem on top of that. This way the stem covers the edge of the tendril.

That's it! Now you're done!

Tip: You can add more than one tendril! They are super easy to cut by hand so you can cut extras of different lengths and add them!