In today’s post: Turn paper plates and Dollar Tree rope into cute pumpkins! You can make this easy fall decoration in about half an hour with just a few basic craft supplies.
How to Make Rope Pumpkins
These rope pumpkins are so easy to make! This would be a fun fall project to do with friends at a craft night. It doesn’t cost much because most of the supplies come from the dollar store. You can use whatever cute ribbon or embellishments you already have on hand to decorate the tops of the pumpkins.
The pumpkins do not stand up on their own; they need something to lean against. I set glass pint jars behind them and that worked great for them to lean against. You could even fill the pint jars with pebbles to make them sturdier supports. Or you can lean the pumpkins directly against the wall.
How Big are They?
I made pumpkins in two sizes, using two different sizes of paper plates. The larger pumpkin is about 10 inches in diameter, using a large dinner size paper plate, while the smaller pumpkins is just under 7 inches in diameter, using a salad size paper plate.
Supplies
You only need a couple supplies for this simple DIY fall craft:
- Paper Plates: it’s best to use thick, sturdy plates like Chinet brand.
- Rope: I bought lengths of rope from Dollar Tree. I used the 11 ft lengths that are about 3/8 inch in diameter. If you are having trouble finding the white rope at Dollar Tree, you could use a craft cord, like this one from Amazon.
- Sticks: I found some fat sticks at a local park. If you can’t find any in nature, you can look for them at a craft store like Hobby Lobby.
- Hot Glue: You’ll want a good hot glue gun for this project. It will take about 1 full size stick of hot glue for each of the larger size pumpkins.
- Decorations: You can decorate the tops of your pumpkins however you like. I kept mine simple and mostly neutral, using burlap leaves, a bit of brown spanish moss, and green pipe cleaners (all from the dollar store) along with some black and white ribbon (from Hobby Lobby).
Dollar Tree Rope Pumpkins
Supplies
- Sturdy Paper Plates like Chinet brand
- Rope from Dollar Tree I used the 11 ft lengths
- Sticks to make stems
- Ribbon, leaves, pipe cleaners, moss, etc. to decorate pumpkins
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Equipment
- Hot Glue Gun
Instructions
- Flip the paper plate over so the back side is up. Cut off the lip around the very edge that sticks up. Measure across the paper plate to find the center and mark it.
- Grab your first length of rope and cut off the taped edge. On the side of the rope, place some hot glue down down about an inch (as shown in the photo) and then roll it onto itself to create a spiral. Hold it for a minute to let the glue cool, the put some glue on the back of the spiral and place it down on the center of the plate to adhere.
- Place a line of hot glue just outside the spiral, and press the rope into it to secure.
- Continue to glue the rope down on the plate in a spiral.
- Keep going until you have covered the entire plate or run out of rope. (One 11 ft length of rope will cover a 6-7 inch plate completely; if you are using a 10 inch plate you will need two lengths of rope.) To attach new rope, simply trim the end of the first rope and glue it to the plate, then add glue on the end and butt a new piece of rope up against it. You will be able to see where you have added new rope, although it’s not super noticeable.
- Continue until the entire plate is covered. If your spiral ended up a little off center and most of the plate is covered but some plate is visible along one edge, just use scissors to trim it.
- Once the plate is covered it's time to add a stick for the stem. Place the stick behind the plate and loop the rope behind it. Use hot glue to glue the rope to the stick. Wait a moment for the glue to set.
- Wrap the rope around the stick twice, hot gluing as you wrap. Wait a moment to let the glue set.
- Flip the pumpkin over and wrap the rope around the stick one more time, this time down below where it attaches to the plate. Then securely glue the end of the rope to the back of the plate. Use plenty of glue and wait a few moments to let the glue set completely.
- Decorate the pumpkin as desired. I used a burlap leaf, a little spanish moss, and pipe cleaners from Dollar Tree. I also used a black and white ribbon from Hobby Lobby.
Marla Jacobs says
Why not just use a round piece of cardboard or lightweight wood
Autumn says
Sure, either of those would work too!
Mary says
Love this!! Using the Chinet oval platter would make a great pumpkin also. Can use a picture or plate stand to hold pumpkin also!!
cindy brooks says
i just had my husband cut a 10 inch circle out of 1/4 inch ply wood. Painted it white, then added the rope. Much more sturdy,and longer lasting. Next is a 7 inch circle, to make a grouping
Karen says
Yes, or use the DollarTree big wood circles…
Valerie Davis says
This is absolutely gorgeous love it never seen one like this before thank you for the idea.