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What you need
Orange Fabric or Felt
Black Felt or Cardstock
Glue
Black Ribbon
Instructions
Round lollipops work best because their shape naturally resembles a small pumpkin once covered.
Choose sweets that are individually wrapped and completely sealed. The wrapper must remain intact throughout the project so the edible portion does not contact the fabric, glue or craft materials.
The original project uses a 25 × 25 cm or approximately 10 × 10 inch fabric square. This size suits a generously sized lollipop. Smaller sweets may only require a 15–20 cm square.
Test one cover before cutting all the fabric. The material needs to cover the entire lollipop head with enough remaining underneath to form a gathered collar.
Making the Face Pieces
For each pumpkin, cut two medium black triangles for the eyes.
Cut one smaller triangle for the nose.
Create a simple smiling mouth from black felt or cardstock. A jagged mouth with one or two square teeth will give the pumpkin a traditional jack-o’-lantern expression.
Keep the shapes bold and uncomplicated. Very small details may be difficult to glue securely and can disappear against the folds of the fabric.
Before You Begin
Cut all the fabric squares, face pieces and ribbon lengths before beginning assembly if you are making several favours. Organising the components into small sets makes batch production much faster.
Fabric produces a reusable cover with a soft finish, while felt holds a rounded shape well. Crepe paper is an inexpensive choice for parties or classroom groups, although it tears more easily.
Never remove the lollipop’s original food wrapper. Apply glue only to the decorative outer covering.
Instructions
Step 1: Cut the orange covering
Cut a 25 × 25 cm or approximately 10 × 10 inch square from orange fabric or felt.
Adjust the dimensions for the size of your lollipop. The square should be large enough to wrap around the entire sweet with several centimetres remaining below it.
If using crepe paper, cut carefully along a clean, flat edge to prevent tearing.
Step 2: Find the centre
Lay the orange square flat on your work surface.
Fold it lightly in half horizontally and vertically to locate the centre, then unfold it. Avoid making deep creases if using felt.
Place the wrapped lollipop head directly over the centre point.
Step 3: Gather the covering
Lift the corners and edges of the orange material around the lollipop.
Gather the fabric evenly beneath the round sweet. Smooth the front section as much as possible so the jack-o’-lantern face will sit flat.
The excess fabric should hang below the lollipop head like a small collar.
Step 4: Secure the fabric
Wrap a small elastic band around the gathered material immediately beneath the sweet.
Check that the covering cannot slip over the top or rotate easily. Add a second elastic band if the fabric is thick or the first band feels loose.
Do not wrap the elastic so tightly that it damages the lollipop stick or original wrapper.
Step 5: Shape the pumpkin
Gently adjust the fabric over the front of the lollipop.
Move large folds toward the back and sides, leaving the smoothest area at the front for the face.
Tug the fabric very lightly beneath the elastic band to remove excessive puckering without loosening the cover.
Step 6: Add the ribbon
Cut a length of black ribbon long enough to wrap around the gathered fabric and tie into a bow.
Position the ribbon over the elastic band. Tie it securely beneath the pumpkin head.
Arrange the bow at the front or side and trim the ends evenly.
Step 7: Position the eyes
Place the two medium black triangles on the upper half of the covered lollipop.
Angle them slightly to create a playful jack-o’-lantern expression. Check that both pieces sit on relatively smooth sections of fabric.
Do not glue them until the entire face has been arranged.
Step 8: Add the nose and mouth
Position the small triangle beneath the eyes.
Place the mouth on the lower half of the pumpkin face. Leave a small gap between the nose and mouth so the individual shapes remain clear.
Adjust the spacing until the face looks centred and balanced.
Step 9: Glue the face in place
Lift one black piece at a time and apply a very small amount of craft glue to the back.
Press it gently onto the orange covering. Avoid using excessive glue, as it may soak through fabric or spread beyond the edges.
Repeat with the remaining facial pieces.
Step 10: Allow the glue to dry
Lay the covered lollipop on its back or stand it upright in a foam block while the glue dries.
Make sure none of the face pieces shift during this time.
Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommended drying time before handling or packaging the favour.
Step 11: Finish the cover
Check that the face pieces, ribbon and elastic band are secure.
Trim uneven fabric ends beneath the bow if necessary, but retain enough material to keep the lollipop fully covered.
Remove any dried glue strings and reshape the bow.
Making the Covers in Large Quantities
Create one completed sample before cutting the remaining materials. Use this sample to determine the ideal fabric square, ribbon and face-piece sizes.
Stack several fabric squares and cut them together when the material allows. Use one cardboard face template to trace multiple sets of eyes, noses and mouths.
Place the components for each cover into individual piles before inviting children to assemble them.
For a more economical version, use orange crepe paper and black cardstock instead of felt. Glue dots or double-sided adhesive may also be quicker and less messy than liquid glue.
Design Variations
Use green ribbon to resemble a pumpkin vine.
Create different mouths so every jack-o’-lantern has its own expression.
Use black-and-white gingham ribbon for a farmhouse Halloween style.
Replace the pumpkin face with a ghost, bat or monster design.
Add a small paper name tag for classroom gifts.
Use purple fabric and green facial features to make friendly monster favours.
Cut the faces from self-adhesive felt to simplify group crafting.
Party and Gift Ideas
Add the lollipops to Halloween party bags.
Place one at each child’s party setting.
Hand them out as classroom treats where food-sharing policies permit.
Use them as Halloween treasure-hunt prizes.
Arrange several in a decorated jar as an edible centrepiece.
Attach a thank-you tag and give them to party guests.
fun and easy for scout groups
cute, cute