There's no better Halloween decoration than a carved pumpkin! So, follow this step-by-step tutorial by Miranda Jennings and carve your own jack-o-lantern for the spooky season. We've got a selection of stencils for you to print out too, including an extra special Puffin one!
1. On the top of your pumpkin, draw a five or six-sided shape around the stem. Using a knife carefully cut in at an angle towards the centre all the way around. This will stop your lid from falling in.
2. Remove the top and cut away the excess to create a neat lid with no soft flesh. Scoop out the contents. Remove all the stringy flesh and seeds to leave a hard wall behind.
There are two easy ways to apply a stencil to a pumpkin for carving. The first method is perfect for more detailed designs and involves less scissor cutting. The second is ideal for simpler designs and uses a bit more snipping.
Method A:
1. Cut away the excess paper around your design. Make 3 or 4 snips around the edges of the paper (not into the design) to help fit around its shape and tape to the pumpkin.
2. Using a poker, co*cktail stick, or fork, trace around the design by poking holes through the paper.
3. Remove the stencil to reveal your design. You may want to use a light pen or dry-wipe marker to make the lines clearer to follow for carving.
Method B:
1. Cut away the excess paper around your design. Next, cut out the shaded area of your stencil and tape it to the pumpkin.
2. Using a light pen or wipeable marker, trace around the cut-out areas using the stencil. Remove your stencil and you should have an accurate drawing to follow.
3. Using a knife or cutter, carefully cut out your design and pop the shaded shapes out with your hands.
4. Check the cut-out areas are clear and cut away any loose bits.
Finally, place a candle inside, pop on the lid, and watch your masterpiece glow!
Watch the video below:
Huge thanks to Miranda Jennings for putting together this crafting activity! For more arts and crafts as well as beautiful family and home content, check out Miranda's Instagram @mirandaveda
Start carving your pumpkin near the center of your design and work toward the edges. Push the knife straight into the pumpkin along the outline of your design. Use an up-and-down sawing or rocking motion to cut through the skin.
The later, the better. "Carve no more than three days before Halloween," Evan recommends. If you plan to celebrate on the weekend before or after Halloween, pick a pumpkin carving date a few days before the celebration. Carve too early, and your pumpkin will scare off trick-or-treaters with its rotten teeth!
It's best to use short, fast strokes for most of the pattern, letting the teeth do the cutting. In detailed sections, use single strokes, realigning the blade each time but never twisting it too much. Finally, always make sure that the blade goes all the way through the pumpkin, or you'll have to re-cut those lines.
As before, you'll want to first hollow out your pumpkin first, so that there is space to put a light inside. The more you scrape, the brighter your design will appear when there is light inside your pumpkin.
Place your pumpkin on its side on a flat, stable work surface. Use a keyhole saw to cut a circle through the base or the top of the pumpkin. The sharp teeth on this tool can slice through a pumpkin's tough shell, and its flexible blade allows for curved cuts.
A serrated knife works well for creating a hole in the pumpkin. It's preferable to carve the hole in the bottom of the pumpkin to cut off any bumps so the pumpkin will sit level. It's also much easier to place the pumpkin over a light source rather than lowering the light, like a candle, into the pumpkin.
“You want one with a thin blade so you can turn it easily, which will give you a more precise shape.” Just as when you're cutting fruits and veggies to eat, a sharper knife is a safer knife.
Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap) with a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Peppermint has anti-fungal properties that will keep your pumpkins soft and smooth when they start getting dry. Also, the peppermint will leave your pumpkin display with a pleasant smell!
Many Jack-o-Lanterns collapse because they dry out, so you'll want to lock moisture in, according to The Great Outdoors. You can buy a specific pumpkin preservation spray for the task, but petroleum jelly, vegetable or olive oil or even WD-40 works just as well.
When you carve a pumpkin, it exposes the insides, making it more susceptible to infection through air flow. The environment (temperature, sunlight, etc.) can also be a factor in the pumpkin's quality. Molds are a fungal micro-organism that have the potential to live everywhere.
Start by cutting a 45 degree angle along the top, bottom, or back of the pumpkin (depending on what area of the pumpkin you're going to be carving). By cutting at a 45 degree angle you are ensuring that the lid won't fall into the pumpkin once you're done.
Pumpkin carving isn't very difficult, but there are a few tip and tricks that make it easier and give you better looking results. You can watch the video or read the steps here, whatever you prefer. Pick a pumpkin that's undamaged and has a nice big, sort of flat front section.
Punching tool: Use a nail or an ice pick to punch out your design. Paring knife: Sharpen up a small paring knife to carve detail work. Small serrated knife: You'll want to use a serrated knife in a sawing motion to chunk out pieces requiring a little elbow grease. For smaller areas, try using a serrated steak knife.
Using a large bucket or container, submerge your amazing work in a bleach/water solution of 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water. Your pumpkins should soak for several hours, but no longer than 24. After the pumpkins have air dried from their bath, it is important to coat the carved edges with a moist preservative.
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Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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