Three Crescents and Stars Wide Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Hollow and stabilize

   Cut a large angled lid, remove pulp and seeds, and thin the wall to about 2.5 cm. On a wide pumpkin the interior is spacious, so use a long-handled scraper for the far edges. Dry the outer surface thoroughly before marking.

2. 2

   Lay out all shapes before cutting

   With a dry-erase marker, sketch the three crescent positions, then the star shapes between them, then the circle holes filling gaps. Step back and confirm there is at least 4 cm of solid rind between every adjacent opening. Adjust any crowded shapes now.

3. 3

   Drill the circles first

   Use a spade bit or hole-saw attachment on a drill to cut the round circles cleanly. Drill at a slight inward angle so the plug falls inside rather than jamming in the blade. Pop each plug free with a skewer.

4. 4

   Cut the stars

   Using a narrow pumpkin jab saw, pierce inside each star outline and cut to each point in short strokes. Tap the fragment inward immediately after the last cut to confirm it is free before proceeding to the next star. Clean the points with a paring knife tip.

5. 5

   Cut the crescents with a power saw

   Clamp or brace the pumpkin firmly. Use a jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade to follow the crescent outer arc, then the inner arc, keeping the blade perpendicular. Have a helper hold the pumpkin steady. If using a handheld pumpkin saw, make the cut in overlapping short strokes and check the curve frequently.

6. 6

   Light and photograph

   Place an LED tea light inside, replace the lid, and set the pumpkin on the picnic table. Step back to check the pattern projection on the table surface beneath it; adjust the light source position to spread the projection evenly.

Written with AI to match this design