How to Make Decoupage Pumpkins With Paper Napkins

Transform plain pumpkins into vibrant fall masterpieces using the art of decoupage. Learn how to decoupage pumpkins with paper napkins using this step by step guide to create stunning, personalized autumn decor.

If you’re looking for fall decor that is simple to put together, budget friendly, and completely customizable, I have the perfect craft for you!

Decoupage pumpkins using paper napkins is the perfect way to add personalized, cozy fall decor to your home in no time at all with only a few supplies.

Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing paper cut outs onto it. It’s a fun craft with limitless options on what you can create.

With a little imagination, you can create something that is completely unique & special just for your home.

I love that I created a classic, elegant, and unique piece of fall decor for our home with a foam pumpkin, decorative napkin, and glue!

Fall Decor on a Budget Blog Hop

Today, 9 blogger friends and I are challenging ourselves to bring you fall decor on a budget…a $25 budget to be exact!

Do you think we were all able to stay within budget?! Continue reading to the end of this post to see what each blogger created and for links to their fall DIY craft. There are some amazing inexpensive fall decor ideas!

If you are coming here from Jennifer at A Cottage on Bunkerhill, welcome! I love how Jennifer created her own faux terracotta beaded garland for this fall decor on a budget challenge. It’s a beautiful and inexpensive way to decorate for fall!

What is decoupage?

Decoupage is an ancient art form that originated in France during the 17th century.

It involves decorating objects by adhering cutouts of paper or fabric onto surfaces and then sealing them to create a smooth and seamless appearance.

Today, decoupage remains a popular crafting technique, and it’s the easiest way to add a personalized touch to your pumpkins.

How to Decoupage Pumpkins With Paper Napkins

The great thing about this DIY is that you can decoupage your pumpkins with whatever paper napkins you like. This fall craft is completely customizable based on your tastes and personal style, so have fun being creative!

I spent a total of about $11 on this craft (well under my $25 budget!). We had most of the supplies that I needed already in our home.

Here’s everything you’ll need to decoupage pumpkins using paper napkins.

Materials You’ll Need to Decoupage Pumpkins

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Step by Step Guide to Decoupaging Pumpkins

Before You Begin to Decoupage Pumpkins

Before you begin to decoupage your pumpkins, there are a few things you’ll need to do to get started.

• Remove Pumpkin Stem: You’ll want to remove the stem from the pumpkin in order to easily decoupage. Gently turn & twist the stem until the glue releases and you are able to pull it out. Don’t discard the stem, you will need it later.
• Paint the Pumpkin: If your pumpkin is colored you will want to paint it white so the color doesn’t bleed through the napkin.
• Get Napkins Ready for Decoupage: Open your decorative napkin on a flat surface and then separate the paper back away from the printed front. Cut the individual prints out of the napkin to create a block print. However, you can take the entire napkin and decoupage the pumpkin that way. I prefer to work with smaller pieces when decoupaging because I am able to control the overall design of the piece I am crafting, a little easier.

The Easy Way to Decoupage Pumpkins With Paper Napkins

On a parchment paper lined surface, starting at the top of the pumpkin, apply a thin coat of Mod Podge with a paint brush to one of the pumpkin ribs.

Work in small sections so that the glue does not dry too quickly.

Decoupage the Napkin to the Pumpkin

Carefully add your napkin cut out on top of the thin coat of glue. Gently press the napkin down with the paint brush to remove any air pockets

Add more glue to the top of the napkin as you work to ensure napkin adheres fully to pumpkin.

You may have a few wrinkles in the napkin cut out and that is ok. It adds character to the pumpkin!

Decoupage the Entire Pumpkin

Continue adding the napkin cut outs around the top of the pumpkin, alternating every other rib.

Once you have completed adding all of your napkin pieces to the top of the pumpkin, stop. Allow the Mod Podge to dry before moving onto the next section of pumpkin. This may take about an hour or so.

After the Mod Podge has dried, I then placed the next section of napkin cut outs about 3/4 of the way down from the top of the napkins I already decoupaged.

Again, alternating ribs on the pumpkin. In this section, I added the napkin cut outs to the ribs that were not decoupaged in the first section.

Continue this process all the way down to the bottom of the pumpkin so that your pumpkin is covered in a block print. Make sure to flip & tip the pumpkin so that the area you decoupaged is able to fully dry.

Seal the Pumpkin & Allow to Dry

Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire pumpkin, working in stages so that the Mod Podge does not stick to any surfaces.

Sealing the pumpkins will prevent any edges of the napkin from popping up.

I let our pumpkin sit for about 24 hours after this step, to make sure it was fully sealed.

Final Step to Decoupage Pumpkins

The final step…attach the pumpkin stem!

Place a small dab of hot glue to the end of the pumpkin stem and place back into the hole at the top of pumpkin.

How to Style a Decoupage Pumpkin

I styled our decoupaged pumpkin on our kitchen island with a pitcher of fall flowers along with a candle.

I loved the pattern of the pumpkin with the vintage brown transferware I have in our kitchen for fall.

Decoupage pumpkins can be added to fall decor in the kitchen, on a fall tablescape, in a bookcase, or on a console table styled for fall.

More Fall Decor Ideas

Now be sure to head over to Elizabeth from Country Peony. She created a beautiful dried lavender wreath that I can’t wait to recreate in our home with the lavender from our kitchen window box.

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I look forward to sharing more of my home with you and inspiring you to have a well loved home! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LIKEtoKNOW.it.

xoxo, heidi

More Fall Decor on a Budget Inspiration

Eleanor Rose Home | The Country Peony | Green Valley Gable | Stilettos & Shiplap | Cottage In The Mitten

Le Cultivateur | Midwest Life & Style | Robyn’s French Nest | The Tattered Pew | Cottage on Bunkerhill

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