Download instructions: Click on a pattern's title to download the image, then print, scaling to the size of your pumpkin.
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Carving instructions: Your secret weapon for carving these beautiful
patterns is a pumpkin carving saw, included in pumpkin carving kits
(available in stores). The saw allows for much more intricate carving than
traditional knives.
After opening and cleaning out the pumpkin, size and print out your pattern
of choice and tape it where you'd like to carve on the pumpkin. Using the
poker tool (also included in the carving kit), poke holes along the outline of
the pattern to create dotted lines on the face of the pumpkin. Be careful,
some of the more intricate patterns require much more detailed lines.
Once you have created your dot-to-dot pattern, remove the paper and use the
carving saw to cut along the lines. A good rule of thumb is to go from left
to right (if you're right handed) and cut smaller holes first to maintain
stability.
Another fun tool available for use is a dremel-style sculpting tool. This
allows you to easily carve only part way through the pumpkin, which creates
glowing lines and areas.
Have fun carving your colonial pumpkins.
We'd love to see your pumpkin creations. Send your carved colonial pumpkin images to mstutz@cwf.org. (Email addresses used to send pictures will not be saved, used, or shared in any way by Colonial Williamsburg. Images become property of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, which reserves the right to display them on the website. Images larger than 3Mb may not be received.)
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