6.5 m to inches

PUMPKIN STRING ART

This pumpkin string art is absolutely gorgeous! It’s a fun, relaxing craft that’s perfect for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any autumn decor. Just use our free printable template to create these stunning string art pieces! They’re easy to make and look fantastic displayed on the mantel.

DIY PUMPKIN STRING ART

Create your own pumpkin string art using our FREE printable template! It’s a fun and easy fall craft that looks fantastic on display.

Materials:

  • Free Printable Pumpkin String Art Template
  • 3/4-inch thick stained wood (approx. 10 x 10 inches)
  • Common nails (3/4 to 1 inch long)
  • 3 skeins of pumpkin orange embroidery thread
  • 1 skein of brown embroidery thread
  • 2 skeins of dark orange embroidery thread

Equipment:

  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Hammer

Instructions

Step 1: Gather Your SuppliesCollect all the materials and tools you’ll need for your pumpkin string art project.

Step 2: Attach the Template to the Wood
Print the free pumpkin string art template, then cut around the shape, leaving a small border outside the outline.

Secure the pumpkin template to the center of your wood board with tape to hold it in place. You can use plain wood or, for added effect, stain the wood beforehand as we did.

Step 3: Add Nails and Remove the Template
Hammer nails along the outline of the pumpkin, leaving each nail sticking out about 1/2 inch above the wood. If using the template, place nails at the marked spots; otherwise, space them about 1/2 to 3/4 inch apart for an even look. Once done, carefully remove the paper template.

Continue placing nails around the outer edge of the pumpkin shape and along the inner lines to define the details. Once finished, check that the nails are straight and evenly spaced, making any final adjustments as needed.

Tear away the pumpkin template from the board, removing as much of the paper as you can. For any small bits left behind, use tweezers to carefully pull them out.

Step 4: Attach the String to the Nails
Begin by tying the pumpkin orange embroidery floss to one of the nails with a double knot, leaving a 1 to 2-inch tail of string at the end.

Begin weaving the string up one section of the pumpkin, going from nail to nail in a zig zag pattern.

As you reach the top of the pumpkin, retrace your steps by coming back down the same section in the opposite direction.

Repeat the process by overlapping the same section with the thread 2 to 3 more times, weaving back and forth at different angles. Once you’ve filled that section, move on to the next one and continue the same technique.

When you run out of thread, tie off the last thread and start a new one.

Continue working section by section until the entire pumpkin is filled. Adjust the string as needed, pushing it down onto the nails to ensure a neat and even appearance.

Tie the brown embroidery thread onto the stem.

Weave the string back and forth across the stem, wrapping it around the nails several times. Once you’re satisfied with the appearance of the stem, cut the string and tie it off securely.

Step 5: Create an Outside Border
Use the darker orange thread to form a border around the pumpkin. Begin by tying the string onto one of the outside nails securely.

As you work along the outside of the pumpkin, wrap the string around each nail to create a straight line along the inside of the nails. We recommend going counterclockwise around the pumpkin. Bring the thread from nail to nail, making a clockwise loop around each one to secure the string in place.

After completing the first round, reverse direction and create a border around the outside of the same nails. Move back around the pumpkin in a clockwise direction, continuing to wrap the thread clockwise around each nail.

Next, add a third layer to the border by filling in the center. Go between the same nails in the opposite direction each time, creating a zigzag pattern that connects the nails and adds depth to the border.

Finally, go back in the opposite direction one last time, zigzagging in the opposite direction.

Once you’ve finished the outside border, cut and tie off the string.

Step 6: Add Borders and Trim Excess String

Create a similar border on the pumpkin stem using the brown thread. Repeat the process of wrapping around each side of the nails and zigzagging between them in both directions. Once you’re satisfied with the look, cut the string and tie it off securely.

Tie on a new piece of darker orange thread at the bottom left and create a border around each inside section of nails. Move on to the next row by wrapping the thread across the bottom nails, continuing the border pattern.

Finish creating borders around the next two ribs of the pumpkin. Tie and cut off the thread when complete.

Trim the excess string, close to the knots you’ve tied.

Your string art pumpkin is complete!

Helpful Tips:

  • Stain or paint the wood before adding the nails for a polished finish.
  • If you’re concerned about hitting your fingers, or if you need to place a nail in a tight spot, use pliers to hold the nail in place while hammering.
  • Hammer the nails on the ground or another stable surface, as your table may shake and move while you work.
  • Choose wood that’s at least 1/2 inch thick, or ideally the same thickness as the nails’ length, to prevent the nails from protruding through the back of the board.

HOW TO GROW SESAME SEEDS

I first learned about growing sesame from a gardener in a cooler climate who shared her success story. She mentioned that sesame is a warm-season crop that thrives in hot summers. This sounded promising—if she could cultivate sesame successfully in Minnesota, surely I could do the same in Arizona, where summers often hit triple digits. My instincts were right; growing sesame turned out to be straightforward. It flourished even in the intense heat. Here’s how you can grow sesame seeds in your garden, regardless of where you live!

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SESAME SEEDS

You might know sesame seeds as a common topping on hamburger buns, but they have a rich history as a food source and oil for centuries. Evidence of sesame cultivation can be traced back to ancient Assyrian tablets and the writings of Marco Polo. Sesame seed is among the oldest oilseed crops, believed to have been domesticated over 3,000 years ago.

Historically, sesame was prized for its ability to thrive in regions unsuitable for other crops. It is a hardy plant that requires minimal agricultural support—it can grow in drought conditions, withstand high heat, and thrive with residual moisture in the soil after monsoons have ended, or even during periods of insufficient or excessive rainfall. This resilience made it a vital crop for subsistence farmers living at the edges of deserts, where other crops cannot survive. Sesame has been aptly termed a “survivor crop.”

SESAME PLANTING INFORMATION

While you might consider using sesame seeds from your cupboard, you’re likely to achieve better results with fresh seeds. For instance, True Leaf Market offers sesame seeds for planting in both black and white/tan varieties, with black seeds having a stronger flavor.

In most climates, start sesame seeds indoors about 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Once the seedlings are ready, harden them off and transplant them outdoors 2-3 weeks after the last frost. Sesame thrives in warm soil.

You can also grow sesame in containers; just make sure to select one that holds at least 5 gallons of soil.

Soil: Sesame is quite tolerant of challenging soil conditions, but the best yields come from fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. I grew sesame in raised beds using a mix from Arizona Worm Farm, and the plants flourished.

Sunlight: Sesame requires a minimum of six hours of sunlight to grow successfully. In my low desert Arizona garden, sesame enjoyed full sun throughout the growing season. If you’re in a cooler climate, choose a spot that receives reflected sunlight to provide the warmth sesame plants need.

SIZE AND SPACING DETAILS FOR SESAME PLANTS

Give sesame plants room to grow, as they grow about 3-4 feet (about 1 m) tall and 1-2 feet (90-120 cm) wide. You should plant one sesame plant for every square foot of your garden.

SESAME SEED GROWING TIPS

Sesame thrives in hot, dry environments. Water the plants when the top inch of soil feels dry, and be careful not to overwater.

When sesame plants reach a height of 10-12 inches, they can be pinched back to promote branching. While this step is optional, it can lead to an increase in the number of stalks and sesame seeds produced per plant.

Flowers will bloom first, followed by the development of pods. Enjoy the stunning blossoms and the variety of pollinators they attract!

Sesame plants might require extra support since the weight of the pods can cause the branches to bend and potentially break in windy conditions.

The fruit on my sesame plants is heaviest during the monsoon season and the rains are at their peak. Use bamboo stakes to support the sesame plants.

Sesame Seed Harvesting Tips

Sesame pods ripen starting at the bottom of the stalk, so monitor them closely to determine when the rest are ready for harvest. You can choose to harvest individual pods or the entire stem.

Harvest the pods as they begin to dry but before they split and release their seeds. Store the harvested pods in a large paper sack to allow them to dry completely.

Once dry, the seeds will easily fall out. Gather the seeds from the bottom of the sack and shake the pods to extract any remaining seeds. Use a colander to sift out any plant material from the harvested seeds.

On average, one sesame plant yields about 1/3 cup (28 grams) of seeds.

How To Store And Use Sesame Seeds

Before storing, allow the seeds to dry completely, then keep them in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place. I prefer using glass jars with secure lids.

Whole raw sesame seeds can be used in salads, as toppings for bread, or in sushi. To enhance their flavor, toast the seeds before use. You can also make tahini by grinding the seeds with a small amount of oil. One of our favorite ways to enjoy fresh sesame seeds is in a sesame chicken recipe.