Finding a fall table centerpiece that can last the whole season can be a challenge. However, with just a few supplies and some creativity, you can make your own centerpiece to match your fall style!
These fall table centerpiece ideas are easily varied to incorporate your desired colors and aesthetic. Read on to learn all about designing a fall table centerpiece for every occasion!
Designing Your Flowering Pumpkin Centerpiece
Save time and money by creating a flowering pumpkin centerpiece that will be appropriate for all the fall holidays!
Necessary Supplies
Begin by gathering the necessary supplies you’ll need to create your fall table centerpiece.
Visit your local craft store or order a hard-sided faux pumpkin of your desired size.
Next, choose which variety and color of faux flowers you want. This is your project, so choose any colors you want; they don’t have to be traditional fall colors. There’s no need to purchase separate greenery for this craft since only a few leaves will be needed. A few faux leaves are always included with faux flowers.
Other supplies you’ll need to create your fall table decoration are a hot glue gun and glue sticks, scissors or wire cutters, and wooden skewers. Also, purchase ribbon that will match the color of your flowers. You’ll use this as a decoration around the stem of the pumpkin.
Optional supplies include acrylic paint in the color of your choice and a paintbrush.
How to Make the Flowering Pumpkin Centerpiece
1. Paint your faux pumpkin (optional)
This step is up to you. Many faux pumpkins come in the color orange, which may not be the color you want to use throughout the fall. Other common color options available for faux pumpkins are white, black, or green.
However, if you wish for your pumpkin to be a different color, take this time to apply 2-3 coats of acrylic paint to your faux pumpkin. Spraying with a sealant when done to keep it from getting scratched is also optional.
2. Wrap or glue greenery around the pumpkin stem
Pluck the pieces of greenery you wish to use from the stems of your faux flowers. You can use a little or a lot, the choice is up to you.
Once you’ve chosen the greenery you’ll be using, attach them to the faux pumpkin using hot glue. It doesn’t need to look perfect since you’ll be covering up the edges using ribbon.
3. Poke holes in the pumpkin
Using a wooden skewer, poke a hole in the pumpkin where you wish to place a faux flower. It will be difficult at first, but as you twist the skewer, it will get easier to poke the stick through.
Once you’ve pushed the wooden skewer into the pumpkin, wiggle it back and forth to create a big enough hole for the stem of the faux flower.
4. Prepare the faux flowers
Choose which color faux flower you want to put into your pumpkin first. Using the scissors or wire cutters, separate the flower from the stem, leaving about 1 inch of stem attached.
Push the faux flower into the pumpkin to ensure the fit is right. Remove the faux flower.
5. Secure the faux flowers with hot glue
Squeeze a small amount of hot glue into the hole using a hot glue gun. Insert the faux flower into the hole and press firmly so it’s secure. Allow it to cool for 1-2 minutes.
6. Repeat steps 3-5
Continue to add as many flowers as you wish to the pumpkin. There is no right or wrong answer here since this is your aesthetic. Consider what holidays are approaching and how you want your centerpiece to look for each occasion.
7. Add the ribbon
Once the hot glue has completely cooled, grab your ribbon. Cut off enough length to tie around the stem. Carefully wrap it around the stem and tie in a bow, so as not to bother the attached leaves. If the ribbon isn’t sitting across the leaves exactly as you wish, use a small amount of hot glue to keep it in place.
Variation Fabric Flowering Pumpkin Centerpiece
Looking for a way to use up some craft supplies you already have without purchasing a faux pumpkin? If you’ve got excess fabric and batting on hand, then this variation will work great!
Necessary Supplies
You’ll need a square of fabric measuring at least 18” x 21”. Pre-cut squares of fabric sold in craft stores and online work great for this project.
Any design will work, just remember you’ll need to find flowers that match. If you wish to create a bigger pumpkin, ensure you have a larger square of fabric on hand.
A medium-sized piece of batting is also needed to create this centerpiece variation. Batting is thicker and holds shape better than fiberfill for this project.
Also, have on hand some straight pins and safety pins. These pins will be used to hold the pumpkin’s shape and will remain inside the pumpkin once the project is complete.
In addition, save a brown paper bag or two, so you have plenty on hand to create the pumpkin’s stem. You’ll also need Mod Podge and a small crafting paintbrush to complete the stem.
Finally, as in the variation above, you’ll need faux flowers with attached greenery.
How to Make the Fabric Flowering Pumpkin Centerpiece
1. Make the stems using Mod Podge
To make the stem of the pumpkin, cut a large square of brown paper bag.
Starting at one end, begin to twist the paper in a circle so it looks like a thick stick.
Untwist the bag and lay it flat. Cut off the excess paper bag that isn’t needed to create the faux stem using the scissors.
Using the paintbrush, Mod Podge both the front and back of the stem.
Once more, twist the paper bag back into the stick shape. Bend the tip and the middle to resemble a stem. Be sure to pull some pieces of the paper outward to create a base for the stem. This base will need to be big enough to cover the pins used to hold the fabric together.
Allow the faux stem to dry completely.
2. Roll the batting
Beginning on one side of the batting, roll it toward the center.
Holding that side in place, roll the next side in, creating a circle with the other side.
Continue to repeat this until all the batting has been rolled inward.
It should resemble a loose round ball.
Using straight pins and safety pins, secure the rolled batting in place so it holds together.
3. Cut a circle of fabric
Place the ball of batting onto the fabric and cut around it to create a large circle. Lift the sides of the fabric and fold it over the top of the pumpkin to measure it by sight and ensure you’ve cut a big enough circle.
4. Wrap the fabric around the batting
Place the ball of batting in the center of the fabric.
Pick up one corner of the fabric and hold it in place on top of the batting ball.
Grab the next corner of the fabric and lift to the center of the batting ball, too. Try to fold the fabric nicely so it lays flat.
Continue to lift the fabric on top of the ball until it’s completely covered.
5. Secure the fabric in place with pins
Using more straight and safety pins, secure the fabric in place. Use as many pins as needed to ensure it’s as tight as possible. The pins will be covered by the stem, so don’t worry about it looking messy.
6. Attach the stem to the fabric pumpkin
Once the faux pumpkin stem has dried, attach the stem on top of the pumpkin using hot glue. Be sure to cover all of the straight and safety pins. Press down firmly with your fingers to make sure the fabric is thoroughly glued down.
7. Attach flowers and greenery to the pumpkin
Pick the pieces of greenery you’ll use for the fabric pumpkin from the stems of your faux flowers. Attach them to the faux pumpkin using hot glue. If the edges of the brown bag are loose enough, try to tuck the faux greenery beneath the stem so it looks like it’s growing from the inside.
Using the wire cutter, snip the number of flowers you wish to use at the base of the back of the flower. You don’t need any extra stem on the back of the flower for this project. Apply a small dollop of hot glue on the back of the flower and press it firmly into the spot you wish to place it on the fabric pumpkin.
Continue to add flowers until you’re done!
How to Display the Fall Table Centerpiece
There is no wrong way to display your new fall table centerpiece. A suggestion is to use a festive tablecloth that matches the colors of the flowers and add a solid color runner down the center. Place the pumpkin in the middle with a bowl of holiday candy or a scented candle.
If you really want to get creative, make several of these pumpkins in various sizes to display in a grouping in the middle of your table!
Celebrate with Your Fall Table Centerpiece!
That’s all you need to know about designing a fall table centerpiece for every occasion! Which type of faux pumpkin will you make for your fall table?
Looking for more fall decor ideas? Check out our post on 11 Creative Fall Decorating Ideas!
Laura L. Zimmerman is an author of both indie and traditionally published books. She lives in a tiny rural town in south-central Pennsylvania with her husband, daughters, four adorable kitties, and one energetic puppy!
After earning a BMUS with a Certification in Music Therapy, she decided to homeschool her children. Here she discovered a passion for learning and teaching, which led her to make writing a priority. She currently enjoys reading and writing YA sci-fi and fantasy, as well as middle-grade mysteries.
Her hobbies include sewing, crafting, jewelry making, learning languages, and doing yoga. You can find her drinking coffee, singing loudly, or consuming another Jane Austen novel.
Laura can be reached at lauralzimmauthor@gmail.com