5 Steps to Pumpkin Carving Success (2024)

5 Steps to Pumpkin Carving Success (1)

You’ve seen their creations in our Inspirational Pro Pumpkin Carving gallery. Now, here are the expert carvers’ tips for every step of the pumpkin-carving process. Follow their advice to create a potentially award-winning pumpkin, and enter our annual Pumpkin-Carving Contest for your chance to win prizes and be featured on This Old House website.

SELECT IT

Want to go traditional and carve a gourd straight from the patch? Or would you like your creation to last forever by carving a synthetic pumpkin? Whichever one you choose, make sure you consider your design or pattern when selecting a gourd. Get one large enough and in a shape that will accommodate the length and width of whatever design you’re going to carve into it. And before you leave the pumpkin patch, Ryan Wickstrand of ZombiePumpkins.com recommends the following: “Make sure it can stand well on its own, and never carry a pumpkin by its stem.”

If you dread seeing your hard work turn to mush—even with good care, a carved pumpkin will last only a couple of weeks (see “Preservation,” below)—consider an artificial pumpkin, such as those available from Funkins. They have precut holes in the bottom to accommodate a flameless light source, the pumpkin walls have already been “shaved” down to a thickness of ½-inch (ideal for carving).

CARVE IT

The key to safe carving? Sharp tools. With properly sharpened carving saws and knives, you won’t have to use as much force while carving, which reduces the chances of accidental slips that can result in injury. When carving artificial pumpkins, don a mask and goggles to protect yourself from carving dust.

“Nothing slurps out messy pumpkin guts like a good, strong wet/dry Shop-Vac,” says Scott Cummins of PumpkinGutter.com (image 1). But if yours is out of reach, he recommends scraping out pumpkin guts with a margarine container lid or an empty tuna can. Wickstrand is a fan of the Pumpkin Gutter (not affiliated with Cummins’s site), a special drill bit that grips pumpkin gunk and quickly shaves down the inner pumpkin wall.

For increased stability, carve out the smallest pieces first, then work your way up to the larger cutouts. “In fact, it’s wise to leave the cut shapes wedged in place until you are finished cutting all the lines. This will provide added support until you’re done carving,” says Wickstrand. Once all the cuts have been made, pop out the sections with your finger.

Some pros carve freestyle. But using a template to lay out your design on your pumpkin prior to carving can help ensure the look of your jack-o’-lantern. For a This Old House-style pumpkin, you can download our templates:

• Download the exclusive TOH pattern: Scary Second Empire

• Download the exclusive TOH pattern: Creepy Queen Anne

LIGHT IT

You can create an opening at the bottom of the pumpkin to place over a light source. But if you opt for cutting out a lid, make sure you include a notch for hassle-free replacement and angle your cuts inward to prevent the lid from falling in.

The light source you choose can affect the life span of your pumpkin. “Using a low-watt electric light instead of candles will reduce shriveling,” says Gene Granata of MasterpiecePumpkins.com. Try the Pumpkin Powered Light or Ultimate Strobe Light available from Pumpkin Masters.

Lighting is the key to simple designs such as the pumpkin “disco ball,” created by drilling holes of various sizes into the wall of a pumpkin, then lighting it from within (image 2). According to former TOH editorial assistant Harry Sawyers, who wrote about tools on our blog The Hardware Aisle: “Irwin’s Seedbor bits have a deep blue recess beneath the cutting blade that channels the waste material up and out of the hole, while other bits leave messy orange tendrils.” (See image 3)

PRESERVE IT

Thoroughly gutting and cleaning the pumpkin before you carve will make for a longer-lasting carving. But after you carve, Wickstrand suggests “sealing in moisture on cut edges by applying a coat of white glue.” Both Wickstrand and JP of JamminPumpkins.com say you can also apply petroleum jelly to carved edges to prevent moisture loss. “I like to spray Lysol on the whole carving and inside the whole pumpkin to keep the pumpkin-killing bacteria away,” says Stoney of Stoneykins.com. Granata recommends Pumpkin’ Dunk’n, a preservative soak that promises to add as much as two weeks to the life of your carving. Meanwhile, 3D carver Scott Cummins recommends bagging and cooling your work. “After your pumpkin has been displayed for a few hours and you notice some drying, you can temporarily revive it by completely submerging it in chilled water for a couple of hours. I put a tiny bit of bleach in the water, mainly to make sure its not contaminated,” he says.

PHOTOGRAPH IT

The best way to preserve your pumpkin is to take a good picture of it. But photographing lighted objects can be tricky. Eric Wilhelm, CEO of Instructables.com, who photographs his own jack-o’-lanterns every year, says there are three keys to the perfect capture: a steady camera, longer than usual exposure times (he photographs his carvings using 0.8 to 2.5 seconds of exposure time), and no flash (image 4). A tripod is best for keeping the camera steady, because even the slightest movement will blur your image. But if you’re just going to put the camera on a table or other surface, Wilhelm advises using the delayed shutter function (or timer) to give the camera a chance to stop shaking after you hit the button and before the picture is taken.

Wilhelm also recommends eliminating any background light. Minimal light sources in front of the pumpkin can be helpful, though. “I photograph in a dark room with two side-mounted, low-wattage flood lights pointing toward reflective surfaces,” Granata adds (image 5). This gives the pumpkin a presence in the photo, as opposed to shooting a lit carving in total darkness.

DON’T FORGET! Enter the TOH Pumpkin Carving Contest for your shot at $500

5 Steps to Pumpkin Carving Success (2024)

FAQs

5 Steps to Pumpkin Carving Success? ›

How to Pick a Pumpkin for Carving. Successful pumpkin projects start in the patch. Search for pumpkins that are smooth, symmetrical, and firm. Design dictates shape: If you know what design you want to make, pick a pumpkin accordingly.

What makes a good carving pumpkin? ›

How to Pick a Pumpkin for Carving. Successful pumpkin projects start in the patch. Search for pumpkins that are smooth, symmetrical, and firm. Design dictates shape: If you know what design you want to make, pick a pumpkin accordingly.

What makes carved pumpkins last longer? ›

Clean with peppermint dish soap.

Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and lightly spray the inside of your pumpkin. Peppermint is antifungal and will slow the decomposition process, significantly extending the life of your pumpkin.

How to judge pumpkin carvings? ›

It's just too hard to decide which one is “the best.” Recommendations include: scariest, funniest, most creative, best use of materials, grossest, most neatly stenciled, etc. Creating the categories in advance also will give people time to come up with their game plan.

What is the best time to carve pumpkins? ›

"Carve no more than three days before Halloween," Evan recommends. If you plan to celebrate on the weekend before or after Halloween, pick a pumpkin carving date a few days before the celebration. Carve too early, and your pumpkin will scare off trick-or-treaters with its rotten teeth!

Do you top or bottom pumpkin carving? ›

Carve from bottom. That way you have the stem to hold onto and you can easily slip the pumpkin right over a candle or flashlight.

What are 2 types of pumpkins for carving? ›

Carving Pumpkins

It is the Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin! These pumpkins were bred for carving, so they have little flesh (“pumpkin guts”) on the inside and thin walls that make it easy to carve and allow candles to shine through. Lumina pumpkins are also a fun choice for carving due to their eerie white skin.

How to tell if a pumpkin is good for carving? ›

For carving, opt for pumpkins with smooth, even skin and consistent coloring for a clean canvas. Prioritize pumpkins free of soft spots and deep scratches by thoroughly examining their skin. Ensure a longer-lasting pick by choosing pumpkins with firm, non-mushy bottoms and sturdy stems.

What do pros use to carve pumpkins? ›

An X-ACTO Knife

The best way to take your carving skills up a notch is to invest in an X-ACTO knife (you can buy one at any art supply store) for detail work. McMahon says he uses these artist's knives when he wants to cut into — but not all the way through — the pumpkin's skin.

How to prep a pumpkin for carving? ›

Fill the pumpkin with clean water, replace the lid, and let it soak overnight. Cover it with a thick plastic bag to protect from curious squirrels. If you have a clean bucket that is big enough, you can submerge the pumpkin and lid entirely.

Does hairspray preserve carved pumpkins? ›

Do these tricks multiple times a week if you're really invested in your pumpkins. Spray it with hairspray or a bleach/water mix every couple of days to keep it fresh.

Why did my carved pumpkin collapse? ›

Many Jack-o-Lanterns collapse because they dry out, so you'll want to lock moisture in, according to The Great Outdoors. You can buy a specific pumpkin preservation spray for the task, but petroleum jelly, vegetable or olive oil or even WD-40 works just as well.

Do you soak pumpkins before or after carving? ›

After carving, the most important step to having the longest lasting jack-o-lantern is a long soak in a bleach/water bath. Using a large bucket or container, submerge your amazing work in a bleach/water solution of 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water. Your pumpkins should soak for several hours, but no longer than 24.

What is the best tool to carve a pumpkin with? ›

A serrated knife works well for creating a hole in the pumpkin. It's preferable to carve the hole in the bottom of the pumpkin to cut off any bumps so the pumpkin will sit level. It's also much easier to place the pumpkin over a light source rather than lowering the light, like a candle, into the pumpkin.

What is the best way to process a pumpkin? ›

You'll simply:
  1. Roast the entire pumpkin as explained above.
  2. Peel off the skin and add the pumpkin flesh to a blender or food processor.
  3. Process the pumpkin until it's nice and smooth — about 2-3 minutes. Then it's ready to use!
Oct 3, 2021

Top Articles
The Best Canadian Dessert Recipes - Simply Stacie
Meat Lovers Quiche Recipe | Barbara Bakes
Craigslist San Francisco Bay
Coverage of the introduction of the Water (Special Measures) Bill
Jailbase Orlando
Asian Feels Login
How Many Cc's Is A 96 Cubic Inch Engine
How to change your Android phone's default Google account
Elden Ring Dex/Int Build
Lichtsignale | Spur H0 | Sortiment | Viessmann Modelltechnik GmbH
Kostenlose Games: Die besten Free to play Spiele 2024 - Update mit einem legendären Shooter
Www.paystubportal.com/7-11 Login
Uc Santa Cruz Events
Otr Cross Reference
Cincinnati Bearcats roll to 66-13 win over Eastern Kentucky in season-opener
Builders Best Do It Center
Healing Guide Dragonflight 10.2.7 Wow Warring Dueling Guide
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Negru dual-sim, 256 GB, 12 GB RAM - Telefon mobil la pret avantajos - Abonament - In rate | Digi Romania S.A.
Fear And Hunger 2 Irrational Obelisk
Fraction Button On Ti-84 Plus Ce
[Cheryll Glotfelty, Harold Fromm] The Ecocriticism(z-lib.org)
Ruse For Crashing Family Reunions Crossword
Scout Shop Massapequa
Dallas Mavericks 110-120 Golden State Warriors: Thompson leads Warriors to Finals, summary score, stats, highlights | Game 5 Western Conference Finals
Inter Miami Vs Fc Dallas Total Sportek
Accuradio Unblocked
Scott Surratt Salary
Myra's Floral Princeton Wv
Acuity Eye Group - La Quinta Photos
Kattis-Solutions
Pokemmo Level Caps
ShadowCat - Forestry Mulching, Land Clearing, Bush Hog, Brush, Bobcat - farm & garden services - craigslist
#scandalous stars | astrognossienne
Compress PDF - quick, online, free
Jennifer Reimold Ex Husband Scott Porter
SOC 100 ONL Syllabus
Die Filmstarts-Kritik zu The Boogeyman
SF bay area cars & trucks "chevrolet 50" - craigslist
Ise-Vm-K9 Eol
SF bay area cars & trucks "chevrolet 50" - craigslist
Ucsc Sip 2023 College Confidential
Directions To Cvs Pharmacy
Rage Of Harrogath Bugged
Panolian Batesville Ms Obituaries 2022
Chase Bank Zip Code
Martha's Vineyard – Travel guide at Wikivoyage
Pgecom
Noga Funeral Home Obituaries
Advance Auto.parts Near Me
Raley Scrubs - Midtown
211475039
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jerrold Considine

Last Updated:

Views: 6101

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jerrold Considine

Birthday: 1993-11-03

Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

Phone: +5816749283868

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.