Stencil Carving

From MAKE Magazine

From MAKE Magazine

This project first appeared on the pages of MAKE magazine.

Design spooktacular effects for pumpkins.

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Pumpkin stencil carving is one of those projects where the results far outweigh the effort. The materials required are cheap, minimal, and easy to find. And luckily, a knack for creativity is optional because you can find dozens of varied stencils online for free.

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Tools
Tools (continued)
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Prepare the pumpkin and stencil.  ¶ 

  • After you’ve chosen your pumpkin, you’ll need to find or create a stencil (search for “pumpkin stencil” online. I found a couple I liked and combined them into one design, seen here). If you’re making your own, just remember that all the parts that won’t be carved out need to connect.

  • Cut a lid in your pumpkin and gut it. If the walls are thick, use a serving spoon to scrape away some of the wall where your design will be carved.

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Add Note Edit Step 2 — Fit the stencil onto the pumpkin.  ¶ 

  • Note where your stencil needs to curve to fit the surface. At these points, cut V-shaped notches into the stencil. Tape the design on the pumpkin, bringing the edges of the V’s together so that the stencil fits snugly onto the pumpkin.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Copy the pattern onto the pumpkin.  ¶ 

  • Punch pinholes around all the edges of the shapes to be cut out. Make the pinholes closely spaced where the cutouts are small and/or detailed.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Carve your design.  ¶ 

  • Remove the pattern and begin carving. Carve small areas first to preserve stability of the pumpkin wall.

  • Aim the carving tool straight into the pumpkin — angling it can compromise the look of your design.

  • Go slowly on long cuts to avoid getting off track.

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Add Note Edit Step 5 — Let it glow.  ¶ 

  • Stock up on candles to show off your masterpiece.

  • If you don’t like your design wilting along with your pumpkin, try an artificial pumpkin (try http://www.funkins.com) next year so you can admire it forever.

This project first appeared in Make: Halloween Special Edition, page 63.

For more information, check out the Halloween category page.

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