Halloween Pumpkin Carving Tips

Like a lot of people, you may have decided to carve a pumpkin for this Halloween and make a Jack O'Lantern of your own. Before setting out to carve a pumpkin, make sure you choose a pumpkin that does not have any soft spots or any discoloration on its surface. Although larger is better, choose a pumpkin that is flat and doesn't roll - you can always enlarge or shrink your pumpkin design anyway. No matter how great your design may be, not having a great pumpkin to carve in the first place just won't do.

Here are some tips you should remember when you are carving pumpkins for this Halloween:

Use a water based marker when drawing your design or pattern onto the pumpkin so that any mistakes can be easily erased with a damp cloth. Or, you can print your pumpkin design on a piece of paper and tape it securely onto the pumpkin. Use a poker to poke holes on the pumpkin following your design. Don't throw the paper with the pattern after you've poked holes on the pumpkin - you can always use it as a reference later on.

Use a drill and gently drill the holes you made earlier with the poker until it pierces through the pumpkin's skin. After you've drilled all the holes, you can now start sawing. Remember to saw slowly and gently. Keep in mind that you're not holding a knife but a saw, so you should use it like a saw. Don't forget to saw gently so as to not cause any damage to the pumpkin.

Always remember to carve in the direction that is away from you so as to avoid any possible injuries and accidents. Its common sense, but you shouldn't let kids carve without adult supervision. Never hold the saw or any other pointed object in a stabbing position, and always keep a portion of the saw blade inside the pumpkin flesh using slow strokes as you cut along.

When carving out the pumpkin's face, always start carving from the center going outwards. Cut out larger parts towards the end and in sections to avoid the pumpkin from collapsing and becoming too weak as you carve.

You can help keep your pumpkin healthy and firm by soaking it in water. The cut sides and edges will absorb the water and keep the pumpkin firm. You can also choose to coat the cut edges with petroleum jelly to seal in moisture to prolong the pumpkin's life.

Article Resource: Leslie Bautista