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What you need
Orange Fabric, felt or crepe paper
Black Carstock or felt
ribbon
Instructions
Felt produces a structured pouch that holds its pumpkin shape well. Soft cotton fabric creates more natural folds and is easy to gather around bulky sweets.
Orange crepe paper is the most economical option when making a large number of party or classroom favours. Handle it carefully because it can tear around the rubber band.
Avoid very thick or stiff fabric because it may be difficult to gather securely. Fabric with a small amount of drape will form the neatest bundle.
Choosing the Treats
Use only commercially packaged sweets with completely sealed wrappers.
A mixture of small chocolates, lollies and chewy sweets will fill the pouch evenly. Avoid sharp boxes, pointed packaging or oversized treats that may tear through the covering.
Check for allergies and dietary restrictions before preparing pouches for a school, party or another household.
Creating the Face Pieces
Cut two triangles from black felt or cardstock for the eyes.
Cut one smaller triangle for the nose.
Create a simple curved or jagged mouth. Add one or two square teeth if you want a traditional jack-o’-lantern expression.
Make the shapes bold enough to remain visible against the folds in the pouch. Prepare all the face sets in advance when working with younger children.
Before You Begin
For a small handful of sweets, begin with a 30 × 30 cm or approximately 12 × 12 inch square. Test the size by gathering the fabric around the intended contents before cutting multiple squares.
Prepare the face pieces, ribbon lengths and fabric squares before assembling a large batch. This turns the project into a quick production-line activity.
Glue must only contact the decorative exterior of the pouch. It should never touch unwrapped food.
Instructions
Step 1: Measure the treats
Place the sweets into a compact pile on your work surface.
Arrange them so the heaviest or largest pieces sit at the bottom. Keep the pile reasonably rounded rather than spreading the treats into a wide layer.
Measure across the pile if you are unsure how much fabric will be required.
Step 2: Cut the orange square
Cut a 30 × 30 cm or approximately 12 × 12 inch square from orange fabric, felt or crepe paper.
Use a larger square for a generous treat bundle or a smaller square for a single-serving favour.
Keep the edges reasonably straight, although they will be gathered and do not need to be perfectly finished.
Step 3: Position the treats
Lay the orange square flat with its right side facing downward, if the material has a right and wrong side.
Place the pile of wrapped sweets in the centre.
Check that approximately the same amount of fabric extends beyond the treats on every side.
Step 4: Gather the sides
Lift two opposite corners over the sweets.
Bring the remaining corners upward, then gather all four sides together above the pile.
Keep the sweets centred while forming a rounded bundle at the bottom.
Step 5: Shape the pumpkin
Hold the gathered material firmly above the sweets.
Gently pull or redistribute the fabric around the sides so the lower section resembles a squat pumpkin.
Move the largest folds toward the back, leaving a relatively smooth area at the front for the face.
Step 6: Secure the bundle
Wrap a small rubber band around the gathered fabric immediately above the sweets.
Loop it around enough times to hold the pouch closed without tearing or crushing the material.
Check that no sweets can slip through the opening.
Step 7: Arrange the top
Fluff the loose fabric above the rubber band.
Spread the corners slightly so they form a soft ruffle at the top of the pouch. Trim only severely uneven edges if necessary.
Do not cut the fabric too close to the rubber band.
Step 8: Add the ribbon
Wrap black ribbon around the gathered neck, positioning it directly over the rubber band.
Tie the ribbon into a secure bow. For optional handles, leave two large loops rather than making a small decorative bow.
Add a discreet glue dot behind the knot if the ribbon slips.
Step 9: Position the face
Place the two black triangles on the upper half of the pouch’s front.
Position the smaller nose beneath them, followed by the mouth.
Adjust the spacing until the face appears centred despite the natural fabric folds.
Step 10: Attach the face
Lift one facial piece at a time and apply a thin layer of suitable glue to the back.
Press each shape onto the pouch. Hold it briefly until the adhesive grips.
For crepe paper, use only a small amount of glue or use lightweight glue dots to prevent moisture from soaking through.
Step 11: Allow the pouch to dry
Place the pouch upright and allow the glue to dry completely.
Check the face occasionally to ensure the pieces have not lifted away from the curved surface.
Do not place the pouch inside another bag while the adhesive is wet.
Step 12: Finish the favour
Remove visible glue strings and trim frayed ribbon ends.
Add a small name or gift tag beneath the bow if desired.
Check that the pouch is securely closed before handing it to the recipient.
Making the Pouches in Batches
Complete one sample pouch to confirm the fabric measurement before cutting the remaining squares.
Stack fabric squares and cut several at once when the material allows. Use cardboard templates to trace multiple sets of facial features.
Create separate assembly stations for filling, gathering, tying and attaching faces. Adults can secure the rubber bands while children choose and arrange the pumpkin expressions.
Prepare extra face pieces and ribbons in case some are damaged during assembly.
Design Variations
Use green ribbon to resemble a pumpkin vine.
Make each pouch with a different jack-o’-lantern expression.
Add white felt fangs to create vampire pumpkins.
Use black-and-white gingham ribbon for farmhouse-style favours.
Replace the face with a child’s name cut from adhesive vinyl.
Use purple fabric and green felt to create monster treat pouches.
Add a small brown felt leaf near the bow.
Make ghost pouches using white fabric and black oval faces.
Gift and Party Ideas
Use the pouches as Halloween party favours.
Place one at each setting for a Halloween dinner.
Prepare them as classroom treats where food-sharing rules permit.
Give them to neighbours instead of loose trick-or-treat sweets.
Use several pouches as part of an edible Halloween centrepiece.
Fill them with non-food items such as stickers, erasers or small craft supplies.
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