Washington State Silhouette Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a flat face and open the lid

   Choose the smoothest, roundest side of the pumpkin so the outline sits flat and reads clearly. Cut a lid around the stem at an angle so it rests back in place later, or cut a hole in the bottom for easier lighting. Adults should handle this and all cutting. Scoop the insides and thin the carving wall to about one inch so your saw glides through.

2. 2

   Transfer the state outline

   Print or draw the Washington silhouette sized to fill most of your flat face. Tape it firmly, then poke closely spaced toothpick or pin holes along every edge, especially the upper-left peninsula notch and the small squared corner where the Columbia meets the coast. Pull the paper away and connect the dots lightly with a washable marker. Double-check the two notches before you cut, since those corners are easy to overshoot.

3. 3

   Score the outline first

   Before cutting through, trace the full outline with a shallow scoring pass using your saw or a poking tool. This gives you a guide groove so the blade stays on track. Go slow around the inside corners of the peninsula notch and the river corner, stopping short and re-starting rather than powering through. A scored line keeps the whole shape crisp.

4. 4

   Cut the silhouette through

   Now cut the outline all the way through with a small carving saw, using gentle back-and-forth strokes and letting the tool do the work. Cut the straight southern and eastern edges in long, steady passes. Save the tight notches for last and approach each corner from both directions so you meet cleanly in the middle. Gently push the freed piece outward and out with your palm.

5. 5

   Clean and bevel the edges

   Trim any ragged spots along the cut line with a paring knife or the tip of your saw. Bevel the inside edge slightly outward so more light escapes and the border looks sharper. Wipe the cut edges and coat them with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to slow drying and keep the shape looking fresh longer.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Set a battery LED or a small string of LEDs inside, never a candle, and aim for a warm amber tone to match the glow in the image. Place the pumpkin on a railing or table where the shape sits at eye level against a darker background. Shoot at dusk so the cutout stands out against the city lights. Take a few photos before the pumpkin softens.