Painted Pumpkin Pillow for fall : Pottery Barn Inspired

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a painted pumpkin pillow.
I adore this time of year and the colorful way you can decorate your house for the fall season. 

Adding a throw pillow to a bench or sofa is one of the most budget-friendly ways to infuse a seasonal touch.

While I appreciate Pottery Barn’s beautiful pillows, their prices occasionally surpass my budget for a seasonal item.

Hence, I decided to take matters into my own hands and craft my version of their delightful painted pumpkin pillow.

Hand Crafted Society

It is the first Tuesday of the month, so it is time for the Hand Crafted Society gals to share their creations with you.

If you happen to come over from Jennifer’s @cottageonbunkerhill, welcome. She is so creative, and I have no doubt you loved her gorgeous pumpkins with the dried flowers. They are stunning.

We always invite a guest or two to join in on the fun. This month, we welcome Carol @bueskyathome and Crystal @sweetvalleyacres. We are so happy you joined us.

Painting On Fabric 

Have you ever painted on fabric with acrylic paint? It is similar to using a canvas, but let me share a few tips before we begin. 

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• Fabric Preparation: Preparing the fabric properly before painting is crucial. Wash and dry it to remove any sizing or chemicals that might interfere with paint adhesion. Iron the fabric to create a smooth, wrinkle-free surface.
• Acrylic Paint Compatibility: Acrylic paint is water-based, making it suitable for fabric. It adheres well to natural fibers but may not work as effectively on synthetic materials.
• Textile Medium: You can add a textile medium with your acrylic paint for added flexibility. This fabric medium helps the paint bond to the fabric and prevents it from becoming stiff or cracking once dry. However, I did not do this on my pillow as I wanted a more watercolor effect. 
• Painting Techniques: You can use various techniques with acrylics on fabric, including brushwork, stenciling, block printing, and even airbrushing. Experimenting with different brush sizes and strokes to achieve the desired effects is fun. It’s advisable to have a spare piece of fabric for experimentation. By doing so, you can fine-tune your skills and achieve the desired outcome.

Blending

• Layering and Blending: Acrylic paint lets you layer and blend colors on fabric. You can create gradients, shadows, and intricate designs by layering paint once the previous layer is dry.
• Drying and Curing: Let the fabric air dry, or use a hair dryer after painting. When your project is done, you can heat set it with an iron by simply placing a thin cloth over your painted fabric area and ironing. 
• Washing and Care: Once cured, acrylic-painted fabric is usually washable, but following care instructions is essential. Turn the fabric inside out, use a gentle cycle, and avoid harsh detergents or bleach to prolong the life of your painted design.

Materials List

I love projects that require only a handful of materials.

Chances are, your craft room has most of what you require; however, in case of any shortages, these items can conveniently be found at Hobby Lobby or any craft store.

Additionally, I have conveniently provided links to the essential items in my Amazon shop.

Feel free to browse through and make a purchase if you find anything useful. Your support is greatly appreciated as it helps me maintain and improve my blog without any extra cost to you.

• Pillow Covers
• Pillow Inserts
• Assorted colors of basic acrylic paint. Deco Art- Dark Chocolate, Burlap, Spiced Pumpkin, Honey Brown, and Deep Ochre. The green paint is Folk Art, Forest Moss. (you can also use acrylic fabric paint.) 
• Assortment of brushes 
• Paint tray 
• Water
• Paper towels 
• Pencil to draw or trace your pumpkin 

Getting Ready to Paint

Ensure that your pillowcase is clean and free of wrinkles. To prevent paint from bleeding through, consider using a plastic shopping bag wrapped with a paper bag and inserting it into the pillowcase.

Additionally, choose a well-lit room when painting.

Painting the Pumpkin

I didn’t want my pumpkin to have the same level of darkness as the Pottery Barn pillow, so I adjusted my colors by adding more water.

• I began by using the lightest shade, deep ochre, and gradually progressed to darker ones as I proceeded. 
• Take a small amount of paint and mix it with a little bit of water. Test the color on a scrap of fabric or paper towel before placing the brush on your pillowcase. 

• Gradually start to define the sections of your pumpkin with strokes along the lines you have drawn. 
• Creating shadows with acrylic paint involves using various shades of the same color to give the illusion of depth and dimension in your artwork.
• By adjusting the amount of water used while mixing, you can create various shades and tones of a single color. This allows for versatility and customization in your creations.
• If you make a mistake, you can often correct it by letting it dry and then painting over it with the background color.
• Repeat this process with the next color, Spiced Pumpkin, then Honey brown. 
• I then took a bit of the Burlap color, mixed it with some water, and used it to highlight some of the darker areas. 

You can watch this quick one-minute video to see how I did this. 

Accentuating the Pumpkin 

I used a fine paintbrush and applied Dark Chocolate paint lines to accentuate the pumpkin.

Instead of outlining the whole pumpkin, I selectively emphasized its various sections.

Painting the Stem

I carefully started shaping the stem with the small brush I used to accentuate the pumpkin by applying dark chocolate paint.

Next, I gently brushed on a mixture of green paint and water along the edge where the stem meets the pumpkin, adding a touch of vibrancy to the overall composition.

I hope you found this project enjoyable and feel inspired to give it a try yourself.

Now, let’s visit my friend Amy’s beautiful blog. Prepare to be captivated by her exquisite wooden pumpkin creations alongside many other delightful pumpkin projects. Check out the links below to experience the pumpkin-themed magic from the other gals.