I have a bit of an obsession with pumpkins. I love them in every color and every shape and size and I love coming up with new ideas to alter them. These dip dyed patterned pumpkins are my latest fall craft and I love the way they turned out! The combination of patterns and bright colors against the neutral pumpkins creates such a fun look, especially for those of us that love a lot of color in our lives!
To make these dip dyed patterned pumpkins, you’ll need white pumpkins and small pastry size cookie cutters in a variety of shapes.
To make the designs in the pumpkin, place the pastry cutter against the pumpkin and tap it with a rubber mallet until it breaks through the surface then pull it back out. Repeat until the pumpkin is covered in shapes, spacing them at natural looking intervals.
Using a small knife, remove the outer layer of the pumpkin from each outlined shape, revealing the flesh underneath. Don’t dig too deeply … you just want to remove the top layer.
To create the color, you’ll use liquid dye. Fill a large bowl with enough water to cover the pumpkin and add the dye. The more dye you add, the darker the color will be.
Lower the pumpkin into the dye bath and place a glass or other heavy object on the pumpkin to keep it immersed. I left my pumpkins in the dye bath for about ten minutes.
When you remove the pumpkins from the dye, rinse them with water then set them on a cookie sheet covered in paper towels to let them dry.
Experiment with different shapes and colors to match your fall decor …
… or use bright colors and whimsical shapes to add a fun and unique touch to your fall decor!
For more decorative pumpkin ideas, be sure to check out this monogrammed cross stitch pumpkin …
… a pumpkin made from two thrifted bundt pans …
… and a faux pumpkin turned into a pumpkin cloche for fall entertaining!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That is such a great idea! I love the look of these, and I really love how easy it is to do. I’m all about the easy!
robin rue says
Those came out so cute. What a fun way to get creative with pumpkins. I love it 🙂
Jeanette says
This is such a fun idea! This would be fun to do with my kiddo to decorate for Halloween. This is so creative.
Jeni Hawkins says
How cute! This would be awesome for my porch this year – and a lot less mess! 🙂
Melissa Chapman says
I don’t see white pumpkins by me too often but this craft is a great idea. I will look for the white pumpkin and try to recreate your style.
Dawn Lopez says
This is such a cute idea for decorating pumpkins! It’s nice sometimes to get away from the traditional carved pumpkin and try some fun and crafty ideas when decorating with them.
Kathy says
This is a great idea. I love decorating pumpkins! I think this would be a lot of fun to do with my daughters.
Patty says
They are adorable. I’ve never seen this technique before. Thanks for sharing
susan5minutesformom says
What a cute way to decorate with pumpkins in a unique way! Easier and less messy than traditional carving, too.
kristin says
Oh my these are so so so cute!!! I totally want to make these!
Adelina Priddis says
That is such a nifty way to do pumpkins!!! It’s so unique, I think we’ll just have to do it this year with our kids (and save nasty carving for others, lol).
Ra'Nesha says
Wow these are beautiful I wish I had enough patience to be creative
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This is so cute!! I will definitely try this for Halloween!
Hali says
What a cool idea, so different from other ways to decorate a pumpkin!
Sarah says
What an awesome idea! I never thought of doing this but they are so pretty. Great decoration piece.
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
This is a really creative way to decorate Pumpkins. I think they look really cute and unique!
Gingermommy says
What a cool idea! I wouldn’t have considered dip dying but it sounds like a great way to decorate your pumpkin and I might have to try it.