Sophisticated Pumpkin Tablecloth

Designer: Artful Offerings

• 2 yards ivory cotton print (tablecloth)
• 1 yard black wool felt (appliqués)
• 4 yards black jumbo rickrack
• 1 yard lightweight fusible web
• Tear-away fabric stabilizer
• Embroidery floss: ivory
• Thread: black
• Fabric markers for dark and light fabrics
• Teflon appliqué pressing sheet (optional)
• Embroidery needle

Finished tablecloth: 34" square (excluding rickrack)

Yardage and cutting instructions are based on 36" of usable wool felt fabric width and 42" of usable cotton fabric width.

Measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut pieces in the following order. Click on "Download this Project" for the patterns.

Pumpkin Pattern A is in three sections. To make a full-size pattern, trace sections on one large piece of paper, overlapping shaded areas.

To make pattern templates, click on "Download this Project." Be sure to transfer stitching lines marked on patterns A and B to the templates, then to the fabric pieces.

Wool felt (available in crafts stores) doesn't fray, so there is no need to turn under the edges of the appliqué shapes. Cut edges cleanly, keeping them as smooth as possible.

To use fusible web for appliquéing, complete the following steps.

1. Lay fusible web, paper side up, over patterns. Use a pencil to trace each pattern the number of times indicated in cutting instructions, leaving at least 1⁄2" between tracings. Cut out each fusible-web shape roughly 1⁄4" outside traced lines.

2. Following manufacturer's instructions, press fusible-web shapes onto designated fabrics; let cool. Cut out fabric shapes on drawn lines and peel off paper backings.

From ivory print, cut:

• 2--34-1/2" squares

From black felt, cut:

• 4 each of patterns A and B

From rickrack, cut:

• 4--35"-long pieces

1. Place an ivory print 34-1⁄2" square right side up. Pin center of a 35"-long piece of black rickrack along one edge of square, being sure ends are off fabric edges so adjacent rickrack pieces will not abut at corners (Diagram 1). Baste rickrack in place. Repeat along remaining edges.

2. With right sides together, layer remaining ivory print 34-1⁄2" square atop Step 1 unit. Sew together, leaving a 7" opening for turning (Diagram 2). Turn right side out and press. Whipstitch opening closed to make tablecloth.

1. Using a marker for dark fabrics, transfer stitching lines on Pattern A to black felt A pumpkins. Using three strands of ivory floss and a running stitch, embroider pumpkins.

To make a running stitch, pull needle up at A and insert it back into fabric at B (Running Stitch Diagram). Continue in same manner, loading several stitches on needle at a time. Repeat to embroider remaining pumpkins.

2. Using Pattern B and black felt B pieces, repeat Step 1 to embroider corner pieces.

3. Position an embroidered B piece in each corner of tablecloth, aligning adjacent seamed edges. Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse in place.

Note: To avoid scorching, place a Teflon appliqué pressing sheet over each piece, if desired.

4. Referring to photo, center an embroidered pumpkin along one edge of tablecloth, about 1⁄2" from seamed edge; fuse in place. Repeat to add remaining embroidered pumpkins.

5. Referring to Pattern A, use a fabric marker for light fabrics to transfer stitching lines for vines to tablecloth.

6. Lay tablecloth on flat surface and position stabilizer under vines area to be stitched. Using black thread and a small zigzag stitch or satin stitch, add vines to one pumpkin. Remove stabilizer. Repeat to add remaining vines to each pumpkin and complete tablecloth.

1. Position a piece of stabilizer over the pumpkin pattern and trace the pumpkin pattern, including the stitch-line guides. Repeat to make a total of four stem-and-vine stitching templates.

2. Place a pumpkin-stitching template onto the right side of a pumpkin felt cutout, aligning all edges. Using the templates as a guide, outline the pumpkins and stems with running stitches. Note: Use three strands of floss for all stitching. Carefully remove the stabilizer by placing your thumb on the stitches and pulling the stabilizer away from your thumb. Repeat for each pumpkin.

3. Outline the ornate corners with running stitches 1⁄4" from all edges.

4. Arrange the cutouts on the tablecloth, removing the paper backing as you work; hand-press the cutouts into place. To avoid scorching, place a Teflon appliqué pressing sheet over each cutout. Fuse all cutouts into place with an iron.

5. Arrange the stem-and-vine stitching template over a pumpkin stem. Use a fabric marker to trace the vines onto the fabric. Repeat for all vines.

6. Lay the tablecloth on a flat surface and position a piece of stabilizer under a vine area to be stitched. Use a small zigzag stitch or satin stitch to machine-sew the vine outline. Repeat for all vines and then remove the stabilizer.