To deter animals from eating pumpkins, spray the pumpkins with commercially available hinders, garlic spray, or hot pepper, or sprinkle the area with human hair. Soak your pumpkin in a solution of water with 10% bleach. Soak your pumpkin in a tub of water overnight. If needed, patch a broken area with a scrap of pumpkin flesh. To fix broken areas, or to repair areas accidentally cut off during the carving process, use toothpicks, pins, or staples to reaffix. We also have the scoop on how to fix your most common pumpkin problems! To prevent shriveling or dehydration, coat all cut areas with petroleum jelly or commercially available pumpkin preservatives and keep the pumpkin wrapped in plastic in a cool location when not in use.ĭon’t worry if something goes wrong. Once the carving is complete, wash it under cold water and cut a vent or chimney in the back top of the pumpkin. To fine-tune your design, put a candle in the pumpkin, turn out the lights and make the final adjustments. If there are any pieces that are difficult to remove, try to push them out towards you from the inside instead of poking them. If you’re working on corners or if you’re changing directions, remove the carving tool then reinsert it in the new direction. To keep your pumpkin structurally sound, leave the large areas to cut out for last, and cut them into smaller pieces for easier removal. Holding your cutting tool perpendicular to the surface, start cutting with gentle sawing motions in the middle and work your way out. This is the traditional method of carving a pumpkin, where shapes are cut from the flesh, allowing light to shine through. Carving your pumpkin using the cut-out method Transfer your pattern onto the chosen side or draw your pattern directly onto the pumpkin.ģ. Scrape the inside flesh clean and smooth until it’s approximately one-inch thick. Pick a pumpkin that best suits your intended pattern or design, or pick a design that suits your pumpkin! Start by washing and drying the pumpkin, and then cut a hole in the bottom to scoop out the guts. And, please, never carry your pumpkin by the stem. Choose a pumpkin with a smooth, flat face, with few shallow ridges. However, be aware that lighter-skinned pumpkins may not last as long post-carving. The lighter the pumpkin’s skin, the softer the pumpkin will be, making it easier to carve. Check the bottom for rot and tap gently to hear a firm, hollow sound. When choosing your pumpkin, look for one that has no bruises, is evenly colored, and isn’t moldy or rotten. Here are the pumpkin carving master’s best tips: We caught up with the mammoth event’s creative director, New Jersey native Michael Natiello, for some expert advice about creating fantastic carvings at home. The creative director of The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze offers tips on picking, carving, and making your pumpkins last.Įach fall, more than 130,000 people flock to Sleepy Hollow Country to see The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, where over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins light up the night through October and November.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |