Pumpkin Contours Rolled Flowers Decor

Oversized card that doubles as a festive decoration 

features pumpkin contours framework that allows 

puffy fabric panel (plus opt. batting shapes) 

to plump dimension from behind. 

Rolled paper flowers with leaf pairs accent the front, 

with ribbon, twine or raffia add a hint of autumn flair. 

Measures 8” tall x 6.85” wide when assembled.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A front "contours" shapes with contrast front layer

(4-5 shapes layered for thickness & rigidity)

B backing for front contour layers

C back panel

D template for cutting fabric panel

E retained shapes from A contour cut to

cut center and 2 side pieces of thin batting

F rolled flowers spirals with base containment circles

(3 sets for 3 flowers)

G leaf pairs (3)

2. Prepare the front contour "window" assembly by

layering the cut shapes, one at a time, and gluing

together. Take care to match up all outer and inner

cut edges as precisely as possible.

If using a contrast front layer like the sample project

does, position and attach that front layer to

previously-layered assembly.

Press the layered and glued-up shape on a flat

work surface with a flat weight on top, such as this

thick book. Consider using another heavy object placed

on top of the book for added weight. Allow pressed

shape to dry thoroughly - this could require several

hours or overnight, and will help minimize or

prevent warping and curling of the layered shape

due to the liquid adhesive used.

3. Prepare the back panel by bending forward 

along the perforation line near stem.

4. Use the "waste" cutouts from one of the contour

front panels as a template to trim the "puffy"

batting panels: one center, two sides.

5. Use the fabric template to cut a fabric panel.

NOTE 1: the template can be temporarily held in

position to assist with ease of trimming to size

with a few well-placed dots of glue, then peeled

free when cutting is complete.

NOTE 2: if preferred, substitute textured alternative

media such as burlap-fronted card stock,

corrugated card, etc.; eliminate batting shapes.

6. Center the fabric layer face-down over the backside

of the layered contour panel and use appropriate

adhesive to attach around outer perimeter margins.

NOTE don't stretch the fabric into place, but allow

some give so that it can puff forward over

the batting panels. The fabric edge should fall

approximately at the center of the contour margins,

as shown.

7. Position the batting sections exactly behind

their corresponding windows in the contour panel,

more easily accomplished by either feeling with

finger tips to compare panel edges to batting edges,

or holding the panel up to a light source

to enable seeing edges to make adjustments.

8. Apply glue to backside of backing panel at

outer margins to edges, then position over puffy

assembly to enclose fabric and batting edges inside.

Press under a flat weight until thoroughly dry.

9. Prepare rolled flower spiral by carefully adding back

curl along the entire length, using a narrow dowel

or round pencil, and placing paper between tool

and thumb, then drawing it across tool, a bit like

curling ribbon and scissors.

10. Use large tweezers sewing tool or needle-nose

pliers to roll the flower. Grip the middle tip in tweezers,

then . . .

. . . tightly roll the center as shown (tip may curl

back on itself; this is acceptable).

Continue to tightly roll the spiral . . .

. . . keeping the bottom

"straight" edges stacked on tweezers as closely

as possible, with the curve of the spiral allowing

the upward layers to flare naturally.

Complete the rolling of the blossom, then . . . 

. . . relax the roll to allow tweezers to be removed.

re-tighten the spiral so that base size and shape

compares fairly closely to the bottom disc.

Apply a dab of glue at the final tip, then reposition

and attach in place.

11. Apply quick-grab adhesive such as hot melt glue

shown here to the entire base of rolled flower, then . . .

. . . quickly position and attach the base disc,

centered, under the flower's base. Hold in place

until secured.

12. Prepare the leaf shapes by adding back curl

to each leaf.

Also bend the attachment bridge back so that

the bottom tip of one leaf overlaps that of adjacent

leaf; secure with dabs of glue.

Repeat for the other two leaf pair units.

13. Position leaf base overlapped tips under the edge

of blossom, and attach in place. Repeat for two

remaining flowers.

14. Position the "card" back panel behind the front

contour assembly, with portion above the perforation

line aligned with matching edges of the front panel

along stem, and glue that portion ONLY in place.

Press with flat weight until secure.

15. Finish the decoration of the "card" by

adding a raffia cluster behind intended blossoms

position, then placing and attaching each of

the three blossoms with appropriate adhesive.

Trim excess raffia length artistically.

Here is the completed decoration,

with low-relief fabric puffiness showing through

the contour windows.

NOTE that the "card" can stand by itself.