Easy Boho Fall Decor with Sharpie Pumpkin Designs: Mud Cloth Patterns

We love hand-carved jack-o’lanterns as much as anyone, but there’s something to be said for simplicity and staying mess-free. Plus, I really really hate cleaning the guts out of pumpkins before carving.

But, when it’s time to decorate for fall, it’s all pumpkin crafts here! Pumpkins are super versatile and can be used for many different decorating purposes. They can be painted, drawn on, glued…they are a great blank canvas for fall and Halloween decor.

If you can’t find a real white pumpkin, foam carving pumpkins will work just fine, too. Simply spray paint and allow it to dry just like in this white pumpkin decor tutorial.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed as you begin decorating. But, I highly recommend incorporating real or faux pumpkins into your autumn tablescapes, shelving arrangements, Halloween porch decorations, and whatever else might hold a pumpkin this season.

How to Make Hand-Sketched Sharpie Pumpkins for your Boho Fall Decor

I love the crisp contrast of black and white, and they go so well with our other boho fall decor.

This DIY uses a mud cloth pattern in black and white, but you can easily customize this to your own style by using other colors, sizes, and designs.

What is mud cloth?

The pattern on the pumpkins is inspired by “mud cloth” designs. Mud Cloth comes from the word “Bògòlanfini” and is a handmade, mud-dyed cotton fabric originating in Mali, West Africa. Traditionally, Malian culture used mud cloth as a status symbol and ritual protection. 

Like many traditions from all over the world, it has evolved with time and is now used in fashion, art, and home decor.

I love these designs especially because they are easy to recreate and adapt to your own style, too. Over time, it’s become a sort of “boho style” and I’m loving it!

This boho fall decor article contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here.

Step 1: Clean the pumpkin

First, clean your pumpkin by wiping any scuffs or dirt with a wet paper towel or baby whip. I used a real pumpkin for this project, but you could also use artificial pumpkins, too. 

If you can’t find a white pumpkin, you can paint an orange pumpkin with spray paint or acrylic paint. Use caution if you spray paint a real pumpkin.

Spray paint prevents the pumpkin from breathing and will eventually explode due to compressed gases from inside the pumpkin. If a real, white pumpkin isn’t an option, an artificial one might be a safer bet.

If you are spray painting, make sure to follow these tips to save you time and an extra trip to the hardware store.

Step 2: Find a design

Then, I took to Pinterest for mud cloth design inspiration. I really wanted a design that picked up on the modern boho style we already have in our home.

If you aren’t finding anything that catches your eye, consider other Halloween and Fall designs like these:

• Ghosts
• Spiders and spider web designs
• Spooky trees
• Chevron designs

Step 3: Draw the mud cloth pattern or design

After I found a pattern, I began drawing the design on the pumpkin with a Sharpie. You could also sketch these lightly with a pencil first, then trace them over with a sharpie. 

Before you begin drawing, bring your pumpkin down to room temperature. Make sure there’s no “sweating” or moisture on the outside of the pumpkin. A dry surface is the only way the Sharpie (or anything else) will adhere to the pumpkin well.

Then, I displayed my pumpkin on our living room shelves as a part of our fall decor. An uncut real pumpkin should last 8-12 weeks indoors.

Where will you display your Sharpie pumpkins?

Boho Fall Decor on Living Room Shelves

I added in the sharpie pumpkins with our boho fall decor on our living room shelves and they are the perfect fit.

Combined with vintage books and mustard tone books (available for sale in my Etsy shop), other faux mini pumpkins, and some vintage glass vases with florals…it’s the perfect way to bring in those cozy fall vibes.

How will you add boho fall decor to your home?

Let us know in the comments below!

Mud Cloth Pumpkin Design

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $10

Made with pumpkins and a sharpie, design your own Halloween decor in minutes with a pattern of your choice to be used year after year.

Print

Materials

• White Pumpkin
• Black Sharpie Marker

Instructions

1. Clean your pumpkin by wiping any scuffs or dirt with a wet paper towel or baby wipe. I used a real pumpkin for this project, but you could also use artificial pumpkins, too. 
2. Find a design. I went to Pinterest to find a mud cloth design I liked because I wanted a boho design for my pumpkin.
3. Draw the mud cloth pattern or other design on your pumpkin. You can sketch it lightly with a pencil first then draw over it with the sharpie.
4. Your decorated pumpkin is ready!

Notes

If you aren’t finding a design that catches your eye, consider other Halloween and Fall designs like these:

• Ghosts
• Spiders and spider web designs
• Spooky trees
• Chevron designs