Today, we are making a DIY pumpkin pillow in just minutes. This quick and easy project will blow you away and look amazing in your farmhouse-style home. Who says that Halloween decor has to be childish or spooky? You can add these for a touch of fall, and they will look amazing.
Supplies needed
- Cricut Cutting Machine (Want to see the difference between the machines? I have a breakdown of all of the machines for you)
- Burlap pillow cover
- Printable heat transfer
- Parchment paper (if required for your brand of transfer)
- Iron or EasyPress
- Printer and ink
- Pumpkin file of your choice (download the pink, blue, and orange)
How to Make a DIY Pumpkin Pillow
To make this DIY pumpkin pillow, you’ll need to print your graphic on the printable heat transfer, then cut and adhere the graphic onto your pillowcase. Does that sound like a lot of steps? It’s really simple! Follow along for all of the instructions.
Upload and Print the Pumpkin Graphic
Step 1 – Upload file
Download the pumpkin files that you would like to use as jpg files to your computer. Then, use the upload button in design space to import them.
Step 2 – Remove background
Now, you can select and erase any area that you do not want. This definitely includes the background, but it can also include the inside of a curly pumpkin stem.
Once selected, those unwanted areas will turn into grey checks, as shown below. You want to make sure that the entire pumpkin looks complete.
Step 3 – Save file
Once you click continue, you will be given three options for saving the file. The file can be saved as multiple layers, a single layer cut file, or a flat graphic for print then cut. We are going to need that print then cut option.
Step 4 – Add to canvas and resize
Once you click Continue, the image will be added to the canvas. You’ll know that this is a print then cut by checking the layers menu on the right-hand side.
Resize to whatever size you need for your pumpkin pillow. Remember the size of your heat transfer. The Cricut will also print a border around the image so that you can see it on the machine. However, if the image is too large to fit with the border, it will prompt you.
Step 5 – Click “Make”
Click “Make” and the software will prompt you to print then cut your file. Ensure that the material size is correct for your brand of heat transfer. Also, my brand does not require that you mirror the image. If yours does, pick the mirror option at this point.
Step 6 – Print file
Once you click “Continue”, you’ll go to the Print Setup window. Move the toggle to “Use System Dialog” to adjust your printer settings.
Pro Tip: Be sure to use the highest quality printing no matter what printer you use.
You will then have a paper that looks something like the one below. It will print your image along with a black box all the way around.
Cut Your Pumpkin Graphic
Now it is time to cut! With the Cricut Maker, you choose all of your materials manually. To access this screen on another Cricut Explore model, turn the dial to custom. Pick the heat transfer material.
Then, on this particular brand, I found that setting the pressure to “less” worked best. You may find that these changes are based on your brand.
Then, the machine will “see” your image and cut it out perfectly! I am beyond excited by this! No more white area around your heat transfers. I only had trouble with a few slim areas of some of the stems. I just cut those off. You can probably work with your settings some more to get those small pieces as well.
I was so excited about this project, in fact, that I did a short Facebook live on it. You can watch that below.
Adhere Pumpkin to Pillow
You can then use your cut-out heat transfer and apply it to your pillow cover with an iron or EasyPress. Be sure to follow the instructions on your brand to get a good transfer.
Once you have completed your transfer, you will have a DIY pumpkin pillow that will look great in any room of your home. Add a pillow form to the cover, and this one will be ready for display.
You can even add them outdoors as a friendly welcome to the trick-or-treaters.
Who says that Halloween decor has to be scary? You can whip up a DIY pumpkin pillow to bring the gorgeous back into fall!
More Halloween Crafts
Now are you ready to get crafty for Halloween? If you love my DIY pumpkin pillow or any of these other crafts, you are sure to find more you love!
Angie, these have to be some of the prettiest pumpkin pillows I have ever seen. I thought they were hand painted at first. I can’t wait to make these. I think I’ll make a few for my dining room chairs and then make some matching placemats or a table runner. Thanks so much for sharing!
Love these pillows! Such a great idea to use the Print and Cut feature!
Wow, what a jampacked post from you today.Will have to come back tomorrow to see what all have missed. Getting late now, time for my shower and bed. Will be working on making things for craft show at Tractor Supply on 10/7, free. Will be first craft show will be in since 12/14 so am bit out of practice.Been making list of projects/items to make which will be good for sales (I hope).
Thank you so much for those pumpkins, will be great for pillow covers and table runners. Will need to get more ink for printer and transfers..
Love how your pillow covers look with these pumpkins on them. Have great week, happy creating.
Another great find in this week’s link up parties. LOVE the burlap covered pillow cases that you can paint on = GREAT idea.
Come share this too at Reader Tip Tuesday http://www.jodiefitz.com/2017/09/12/reader-tip-tuesday-weeks-craft-recipe-party-3/
We’re open & growing all week!
These are too cute! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Love these pillows! They look very complicated, but are so easy to make!
Your pillows are charming!
I love the pillows. I really need to get a Cricut.
Love the pillows! They have a pretty farmhouse vibe! Awesome giveaway you’re doing too! Thanks for sharing at Sweet Inspiration!
Gorgeous pillows Angie, their just beautiful!
I thought they were hand painted. I simply must get myself a Cricut. Beautiful designs. #merrymonday