How to make Fabric Yo-yo Pumpkin & Turkey for Fall

Make these adorable fabric pumpkins and turkeys with fabric yo-yos! This free pattern includes two different sizes of the yo-yo pumpkin and yo-yo turkey, step-by-step photos, and a free printable template for the cutouts.

Make several of these pumpkins and turkeys to create a pumpkin patch decoration perfect for fall and Thanksgiving.

The pumpkin and turkey bodies are made from fabric yo-yos. Fabric yo-yos are easy to make by hand stitching using Clover Yo-yo Makers. Felt is used for the leaves, eyes, feet, and tail. Weighted stuffing beads ensure they stand upright and don't fall over.

Watch our video through the link below or continue reading this tutorial to learn how to make these fabric yo-yo pumpkins and turkeys.

Sample yo-yo pumpkins and turkeys - small and large sizes

WHAT YOU NEED to make the pumpkin and turkey

• Fall Fabric – Orange for the Pumpkin, Dark or Light fabric for the Turkey
• Green, Yellow, Tan, Red, Orange & White Felt
• Clover Yo-yo makers:  Large (orange) 45mm, Extra Large (yellow) 60mm, and Jumbo (Blue) 99mm. The Extra Small (blue) 20 mm and Small (green) 30mm are used for making the turkey hat.
• A small amount of fiberfill stuffing
• Weighted Stuffing Beads
• Thread coordinating with fabric colors
• Sewing Needle & Thread
• Craft Glue
• 13mm Google Eyes (approx.)
• Small Twig or Stick from a tree or cinnamon stick
• Free Downloaded Printable templates for the turkey features & pumpkin leaves (scroll to the end of this tutorial)
• Scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions to make fabric yo-yo pumpkins and Turkeys

Print the template

We have provided a printable PDF file with free templates for the pumpkin leaf, turkey face features, and turkey tail.

To get the free downloadable PDF template, scroll to the end of this tutorial past my signature to find the link to the template. 

Open the template and print it in landscape mode.

Making the Yo-yos

The pumpkin and turkey are made from fabric yo-yos. Fabric yo-yos are made from fabric circles and are a perfect way to use small amounts of fabric. A running stitch is stitched near the circle's outer edge, and the thread is pulled to gather the fabric into the yo-yo shape.

We have a tutorial on making yo-yos with the Clover Yo-yo Makers. You don't have to make your yo-yos with the Clover makers, but I've found making yo-yos this way is quick and easy.  Click the link to our previous tutorial if you need information on how to make fabric yo-yos.

How to make the Fabric Yo-yo Pumpkin

Step 1: Make the Yo-yos for the Pumpkin

For each pumpkin, make four fabric yo-yos using the pumpkin fabric, needle, and thread.  See above for a link on how to make fabric yo-yos.

NOTE: Read step 2 before making the yo-yos!

For the smaller pumpkin make:

• 2 Large (orange) 45mm - One with beads inside.
• 2 Extra Large (yellow) 60mm

For the large pumpkin make:

• 2 Extra Large (yellow) 60mm - One with beads inside.
• 2 Jumbo (Blue) 99mm

Step 2: Add Stuffing and weighted beads

Before closing the yo-yos, stuff each one with a small amount of fiber-fill stuffing.

For one of the smaller yo-yos, add one or two tablespoons of weighted stuffing beads and some fiber-fill stuffing.

After adding the fiber-fill and/or weighted beads, gently close the yo-yo and tie off the thread.

For the yo-yos with weighted beads inside, make a few stitches across the hole to close it completely.  This will keep the beads from falling out.

Step 3: Stack the Yo-yos

Stack the yo-yos to make the Pumpkin. The top side of the yo-yo is the gathered side, and the bottom is the flat side.

Stack the yo-yos in this order:

• Smaller yo-yo with the beads facing down
• Larger yo-yo facing down
• Larger yo yo facing up
• Smaller yo-yo facing up

Step 4: Secure the Yo-yos Together

You can use the same regular thread you used to make the yo-yos or a heavier-weight thread. Thread your needle and knot the end with the thread doubled.

Starting at the top, insert the needle into the middle of each of the four yo-yos and pull it through. 

You may need to put the needle through one yo-yo at a time.

When you reach the bottom, insert the needle from the bottom back up to the top of the pumpkin.

Gently pull the thread to squish the yo-yos together.  This will give it more of a pumpkin shape.

Once more, take the needle down to the bottom of the pumpkin and gently pull it again to squish it. Tie off the thread with a knot.

Step 5: Pumpkin Felt Leaves

Using the provided template, cut two leaves from green felt. 

Fold the leaf on the fold line and stitch a few stitches to hold it into a curved shape.

Step 6: Pumpkin Stem

Cut a piece of the twig or cinnamon stick for the pumpkin stem. Use a ¾” piece for the small pumpkin and 1 ¼” piece for the large pumpkin. Choose a size you feel looks best on your pumpkin.

Step 7: Glue Stem and Leaves

Squeeze some craft glue into the center opening of the top yo-yo.

Insert the twig into the hole.

Glue the leaves on each side of the stem. I placed one leaf with the cupped side facing down and the other beside the stem.

The Yo-yo Pumpkin is complete!

Small Turkey and Pumpkin

How to make the Fabric Yo-yo Turkey

Step 1: Make the Yo-yos for the Turkey

Using the turkey fabric, needle, and thread, make yo-yos.

NOTE: Read step 2 before making the yo-yos!

For small turkey:

• 4 Extra Large (yellow) 60mm - One has beads inside.
• 1 Large (orange) 45mm – Stuffed full and rounded for head

For the large turkey:

• 2 Extra Large (yellow) 60mm – One is stuffed full and rounded to use for the head. The other one is flat.
• 4 Jumbo (Blue) 99mm - One has beads inside.

If making the Hat, make:

• 2 Extra Small (blue) 20 mm
• 1 Small (green) 30mm

Step 2: Stuffing, Weighted Beads and Head

For the small turkey, stuff the smaller yo-yo full of stuffing and shape it into a ball for the head.  Add a couple of teaspoons of weighted beads to one of the larger yo-yos and make a few stitches to close the hole.

For the large turkey, stuff one of the smaller yo-yos to make the head.  Add a couple of tablespoons of weighted beads to one of the jumbo yo-yos and close it with a few stitches for the base.

Step 3: Stack the Yo-yos

Stack the yo-yos to make the Turkey.  The top side of the yo-yo is the gathered side, and the bottom is the flat side.

Stack the:

• Large yo-yo with beads facing up
• 3 Large yo-yos, all facing up
• For the large turkey, stack the smaller yo-yo facing up.
• Last is the head facing down

If you are making the hat, stack the larger yo-yo facing down and then the two smaller yo-yos facing down.

Step 4: Secure the Yo-yos

You can use the same thread you used to make the yo-yos or a heavier-weight thread. Thread your needle and place the ends of the thread together before making a knot. The doubled thread is stronger.

Starting at the top, insert the needle into the middle of the yo-yos down to the bottom and pull it through.  You may need to put it through one yo-yo at a time.

When you reach the bottom, insert the needle from the bottom to the top of the turkey body. Tie off the thread.

Stitch the head yo-yo onto the top of the body.

If you're making the hat, secure the three yo-yos together similarly and stitch the hat to the top of the head.

Step 5: Turkey Face and Feet

Cut out the eyes, nose, wattle, and feet from felt using the provided template.

Glue the nose onto the eyes and then glue the googly eyes onto the white felt.

Glue the wattle onto the back, hanging down.

Glue the face to the turkey head.

Cut the feet from yellow felt.

 Glue them to the bottom, sticking out from under the turkey.

Step 6: Make the Turkey Tail

I made the same-sized tails for the small and large turkeys.  The oversized tail on the small turkey makes him cute. I cut out the tail and five feathers from felt. 

Glue the feathers in place on the tail. The template has dotted lines with suggested placement for the tail feathers.

Once the tail is dried. Glue the tail to the back of the turkey yo-yos.

The Yo-yo Turkey is complete!

Two large and one small turkey

Turkey with a hat

Small Turkey

Other Yo-yo Projects

Last year, I made two other fun Yo-yo projects: a yo-yo Santa and a yo-yo snowman ornaments.  If you like these yo-yo turkey and pumpkins, check out those other tutorials!

Another tutorial for fabric yo-yo pumpkins is by Postively Splendid.  She also has a tutorial to make fabric yo-yos with templates.