Pumpkin Craft with Decoupage Napkins

Every fall, I make a few pumpkin crafts. I loved repurposing some old faux pumpkins and adding decoupage napkins.

This easy craft is suitable for your friends, children, and grandchildren. You need just a few supplies and little (or no) crafting experience or expertise. Are you ready to make these?

A bright kitchen with white cabinets and a wooden dining table, adorned with yellow and white decorations, including flowers and dessert pastries.

An Easy Pumpkin Craft

I love to use paper napkins to create beautiful items. I found some old pumpkins that needed an upgrade, so I decided to cover them! You might not have noticed, but these pumpkins were covered with three different styles of napkins. They all have the same color palette, and they look amazing together!

I wanted to mention that you can use paper napkins, paper guest towels, paper cocktail napkins, and even tissue paper.

These pumpkins are at least 1000% better, and the colors are perfect. This pumpkin craft using decoupage napkins is easy and doesn’t take long to make.

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Faux Red Pomegranate Branches

Faux Orange Pomegranate Branches

Vintage sign with text "FRESH BAKED PIES SERVED DAILY" in bold capital letters. Background is aged and worn, reminiscent of the aroma of Pumpkin Banana Bread baking.

Fresh Baked Pies Sign

Decoupaging Napkins Onto Pumpkins

I found these white plastic pumpkins in the storage on the third floor. I like them, but they look fake and need help. So, I gathered some napkins that matched my new fall color palette.

There are so many fabulous fall napkins available.

A square pattern featuring intersecting red, blue, and thin orange lines on a white background, evoking a plaid design perfect for accenting pumpkin craft projects.

Luncheon Napkins, Paisley & Plaid

Autumn Leaves Paper Napkins

Caspari Luncheon Napkins, Tobacco Leaf

A charming collection of fall pumpkins, varying in size with dark stems, are beautifully arranged against a white background.

Artificial Pumpkins, 14PCS White Fake Pumpkins

Seven white pumpkins with brown stems, perfect for any pumpkin craft, are arranged together against a white background. — Ghrdopy Fake Pumpkins, 8 Pcs

8″ Faux Foam Pumpkins, 2 pcs

Look at the difference! Isn’t it incredible?

Materials Needed to Make This Pumpkin Craft

Mod Podge

Pro Grade, Paint Brushes, 5-Piece

A stack of white napkins decorated with autumn-themed illustrations of leaves, acorns, berries, and pumpkin craft designs in green, orange, brown, and red outlines.

80 Pack Autumn Leaf Paper Napkins

Almost any size pumpkin will work. I used three different sizes of pumpkins and three different styles of napkins. And just so you know, I only used two napkins to make each pumpkin. So you will have a lot left over to use later!

I looked at many different napkins on Amazon, but decided to go with these because of the colors. I didn’t even think they would look that great mixed, but I was sure wrong about that! They look amazing!

How to Make This Pumpkin Craft with Decoupage Napkins

I figured out a foolproof way to make this pumpkin craft.

Since the Mod Podge is thick, I suggest adding a few drops of water to thin it. If it is too thick, it might tear the napkin. (If the napkin does tear, just cut a small piece of the napkin, place it on top of the area, and apply more Modpodge. No one will notice!)

Then I figured out how to cut the napkins so they would fit easily over the pumpkin, and I also reversed the order in which the Mod Podge was applied!

Step-by-Step Instructions

one – Prepare the napkins. Cut off any border around the outside of the napkin and then peel off the backing. Start at the corner and separate the layers of the napkin. Gently pull the two sections apart and discard the backing.
two – Divide the napkin into quarters (most are already folded this way) and cut one line to the center of the napkin.
three – Refold the napkin and snip off a bit in the center. (This allows space for the stem.)

four – Lay the napkin on top of the pumpkin to get a feel for how much the napkin will cover. At this point, I realized it would be too difficult to apply the Mod Podge first and lay the napkin on top. So, I came up with a better idea. Place the napkin on first and position it around the stem. Bring the open sides together and gently add the Mod Podge to the napkin with a brush.
five – Continue to cover the entire surface with Mod Podge. Be gentle and use lots of Mod Podge to avoid tearing the napkin.
six – Let the pumpkin dry. Flip it over and cut another piece of the napkin to cover the underside. Attach with Mod Podge. Let dry. Cover with clear sealer, if desired.