Need a creative way to repurpose your old books? Try this DIY BOOK PUMPKIN craft. These rustic-looking pumpkins are perfect for Halloween and fall decor.
Make an adorable DIY book pumpkin. For this fall craft, I didn’t have an old book to upcycle. Instead, I used a book that I purchased from my local Dollar Tree. Check out more BOOK CRAFTS here & here.
Prefer video tutorials? No problem, keep scrolling to the bottom to watch how to make a DIY book pumpkin.
Hey there! I’m so glad you’re here. If you love this DIY craft be sure to check out these other fall projects:
- easy flying bat Halloween sign
- It’s Halloween witches leaning porch sign + FREE SVG
- mini fall signs
- BOO free standing wood cutouts
And these other PUMPKIN CRAFT TUTORIALS:
- DIY polka dot TIN CAN PUMPKIN
- Scrap wood DIY 2×4 rustic pumpkins
- DIY fall fabric pumpkins
- DIY mason jar ring pumpkin
- how to wood pumpkins cutouts
- Dollar Tree rustic pumpkin makeover
- 2×4 glittery pumpkins DIY
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What supplies do you need to make a DIY book pumpkin?
With a few supplies you probably already have in your craft room you can make this pumpkin quick & easy. Here’s what you need:
- book
- xacto knife
- scissors
- rustic wire
- twine or ribbon
- acrylic paint
- paint brush
- stick
- hot glue gun & glue sticks
How do you make a pumpkin out of a book?
Follow these step by step instructions to create your own adorable pumpkins from books… book lovers please don’t hate me <3 .
1. REMOVE THE COVER & HARD SPINE OF THE BOOK
First thing, remove the front and back covers along with the hard spine of the book. This allows you to easily curve your book around to form a circle.
2. MAKE A HALF PUMPKIN TEMPLATE
Second, remove the first page of your book and cut out a half pumpkin shape. Then, place your pattern flat side touching the binding edge of the book. Trace around the shape. (this step is similar to when you make paper hearts)
3. CUT OUT THE PAGES
Third, Using an exacto knife or scissors cut the line you just traced. You will want to cut through several book pages at a time.
Keep doing this step until you cut through the last book page.
4. USE SCISSORS TO CLEAN UP THE OUTSIDE EDGES
My pumpkin shape turned out a bit wonky. That was ok. I just used a pair of scissors to clean up the pages a bit so they were a little more even.
The pages don’t have to be perfectly exact. You won’t be able to tell they are a little off once you open the book up into the shape of a pumpkin.
5. PAINT THE SIDE OF THE BOOK
This is completely optional. I really like the look of the pumpkin painted around the outside edge of the pages.
Use acrylic paint and lightly paint the page edges. You don’t have to cover them completely.
You can also use spray paint for this step.
6. GLUE
Use a hot glue gun to add a bit of glue to the spine of the book. Open up the book and press the spine together.
Next, add hot glue to the last page then press the first page to it. Now you have a pumpkin shape.
7. PUMPKIN ACCENTS
I opted to use a stick from my yard to act as a pumpkin stem for my DIY book pumpkin. You could also use:
- cinnamon stick
- rolled up brown paper
- rope
- wooden dowel rod
Add hot glue to the bottom of the pumpkin stem then place it in the center of the book where the spine is still open.
Other accents you can use for the top of the pumpkin:
- curly rustic wire
- burlap leaf
- ribbon bow
- twine bow
- raffia
- felt leaves
- wood beads
For my pumpkins, I chose to add curly baling wire (you can buy this from your local farm or hardware store), a bow made from twine, and a simple bow made from polka dot burlap ribbon. Use hot-glue to attach your accent pieces close to the stem of the pumpkin.
Oh my goodness these book page pumpkins turned out even better than I expected them to! I LOVE them mixed in with the rest of my fall decor.
DIY BOOK PUMPKIN: how to make fall pumpkins from an old book
Materials
- hardcover books
- hot glue stick
- rustic wire (can find at most home farm & feed stores)
- jute or twine
- acrylic paint
- stick
Instructions
- REMOVE THE COVER & HARD SPINE OF THE BOOK- First thing, remove the front and back covers along with the hard spine of the book. This allows you to easily curve your book around to form a circle.
- MAKE A HALF PUMPKIN TEMPLATE- Second, remove the first page of your book and cut out a half pumpkin shape. Then, place your pattern flat side touching the binding edge of the book. Trace around the shape. (this step is similar to when you make paper hearts)
- CUT OUT THE PAGES- Third, Using an exacto knife or scissors cut the line you just traced. You will want to cut through several book pages at a time.Keep doing this step until you cut through the last book page.
- USE SCISSORS TO CLEAN UP THE OUTSIDE EDGES- My pumpkin shape turned out a bit wonky. That was ok. I just used a pair of scissors to clean up the pages a bit so they were a little more even.The pages don’t have to be perfectly exact. You won’t be able to tell they are a little off once you open the book up into the shape of a pumpkin.
- PAINT THE SIDE OF THE BOOK-This is completely optional. I really like the look of the pumpkin painted around the outside edge of the pages. Use acrylic paint and lightly paint the page edges. You don’t have to cover them completely.
- GLUE- Use a hot glue gun to add a bit of glue to the spine of the book. Open up the book and press the spine together. Next, add hot glue to the last page then press the first page to it. Now you have a pumpkin shape.
- PUMPKIN ACCENTS- I used a stick from my yard to act as a pumpkin stem for my DIY book pumpkin. Add hot glue to the bottom of the pumpkin stem then place it in the center of the book where the spine is still open. For my pumpkins, I chose to add curly baling wire (you can buy this from your local farm or hardware store), a bow made from twine, and a simple bow made from polka dot burlap ribbon. Use hot-glue to attach your accent pieces close to the stem of the pumpkin.
Video
I hope you enjoyed this DIY book pumpkin tutorial. If you have any questions leave them in the comments below.
Happy Crafting!
Megan
