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gnome fall decor
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DIY Fall Gnomes

Learn how to make DIY autumn gnomes for your fall decor with this easy tutorial.
Course Fall Crafts
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 2 gnomes
Cost $15

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 Paper mache cones
  • Cone template
  • Beard template
  • 2 Wood beads
  • Acrylic paint skin tone of your choice
  • Flannel fabric enough to cover the cone
  • Faux fur pieces
  • Paper to print template
  • Spray adhesive
  • Painter's tape

Instructions

  • Print out the template (poster setting, full size, it should take four pieces of paper) and assemble using tape. Cut out, and then cut 1 3/4" off of the bottom of the template. Set aside, and also save the scraps.
    Paper template and a hand holding a paper cone
  • Test the template for fit. You don't want to move onto the next step if it doesn't cover the cone.
    Wrapping the paper template around the cone
  • The large scrap piece that you cut off the bottom will be used draw a line about 1 3/4" from the bottom of your template! Turns out the cut scrap makes a perfect curved line for you to trace. Cut the bottom portion off your template on the line you just traced using the scissors.
    Trimming the base of the template using the excess paper
  • Paint the bottom of the cone with a few coats of acrylic paint, using the skin tone paint of your choice. Let dry.
    Painting a paper mache cone with light skin tone craft paint
  • Place your fabric down on a cutting surface and place the template on top. Use a cutting wheel or scissors to cut the fabric of the hat.
    Cutting the template out of the fabric using a rotary cutter
  • Tape off the bottom of the cone so you don't get any adhesive on the skin of the gnome. Apply spray adhesive to the top portion. Wrap the fabric around, smooth, and let dry.
    Spraying the plaid fabric with spray adhesive and wrapping around the paper cone
  • Cut the faux fur for beards using the template. Trace on the back and then cut. Don't just cut through the faux fur because you'll end up cutting off a lot of the beard fur. Pull the fur forward and away from the back of the fabric when cutting.
    Tracing the beard template onto the back of the faux fur
  • Attach a beard piece to the base of the cone using a hot glue gun.
    Using hot glue to apply the beard to the paper cone
  • Sand a flat spot on a wood bead using sandpaper. Hot glue the nose in the center where the beard meets the fabric to finish.
    Hot gluing the wood bead nose to the fall gnome

Video

Notes

Use spray adhesive in a well ventilated area and check safety information if you are sensitive (you might want to use a mask).