United States Map With State Borders Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick the pumpkin and open the back

   Choose a tall, wide pumpkin with a broad, fairly flat front panel so the country stretches out without wrapping too far around the curve. Cut a plug in the back rather than the top so the front stays intact for your map. Scoop the guts and thin the inside of the front wall to about one inch. A thinner, even wall makes the many small cuts far easier and lights up more evenly.

2. 2

   Size and tape the pattern

   Print or draw the map to fit your front panel, keeping Alaska and Hawaii tucked below the main landmass as shown. Tape the paper down flat, snipping little relief cuts around the edges so it hugs the curve without wrinkling. Press firmly and add tape on all sides so nothing shifts while you work. A stable pattern is critical when the borders are this thin.

3. 3

   Transfer every border line

   Use a poking tool or a pin wheel to trace all the state borders and the outer coastline as dotted guides. Go slowly and check that you have captured the skinny eastern states before you remove the paper. Peel the pattern and connect the dots lightly with a marker if it helps you read the lines. Double check that each state cell is fully enclosed so you know exactly what will be cut and what stays.

4. 4

   Carve the small northeastern states first

   Start with the tiny cells in the northeast while the pumpkin wall is still strong and resists flexing. Use a fine detail saw or a craft knife and make clean, vertical cuts, leaving every border line as intact raised rind. Cut and pop out one small state at a time so you always have solid material supporting your hand. Work outward toward the larger western states, saving the biggest openings for last.

5. 5

   Open the large states and coastline last

   Once the small cells are done, cut the wide interior states and finally the long outer coastline. Removing these big pieces last keeps the panel rigid for as long as possible. Support each section with your fingers as it releases so it does not tear a neighboring border. If a bridge feels weak, leave it a touch wider rather than risk a break.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Drop in a bright LED puck or a string of LED lights, never a candle, since the many cutouts need strong, safe light. Set it in a dim room and check that every state glows evenly, adjusting the light position if some cells stay dark. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying. Shoot your photo straight on so the whole map reads clearly.