#1 - Buy a carving kit
For detailed designs like those found here, the right tools are a MUST! You can find pumpkin carving kits in just about any store that carries Halloween items. They should come with a drill tool, a poker tool and a couple mini-saws. The saw with the smaller teeth is best for fine detail work.
Carvers who really take their art seriously might consider picking up a Pro Pumpkin Carving Tool Set.
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#2 - Choose your pumpkin
Find a pumpkin that's roughly the dimensions of the pattern you want to use. Obviously a tall pumpkin will fit the vertical designs a little better. For a very detailed pattern, a larger pumpkin will be easier to carve.
Pick a smooth one that's free of scratches, dents, gouges or rotting spots. Also make sure it has a flat bottom so it will sit upright and not roll away. Never carry the pumpkin by its stem. Wash and dry it thoroughly before starting.
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#3 - Cut open a lid
Cover your table with a plastic table cloth (garbage bags work well also) to make cleanup easier. With a sturdy kitchen knife, cut an opening around the stem. Cut a 5 or 6 sided shape, or a circle with a notch, to make replacing the lid easier.
Cut in at an angle to prevent the lid from falling into the pumpkin. The hole should be an inch or two wider than your fist, to allow for scooping out the guts. You might also try cutting a bottom opening instead, allowing you to place the finished pumpkin over a lit candle or electric light.
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#4 - Scoop out the guts
Remove the bulk of the seeds and strings with you hands. Then use the scraper tool (or a big spoon) to scrape the inner walls of the pumpkin clean and smooth. For even quicker cleaning of the pumpkin insides, another handy tool is the Pumpkin Gutter.
Scraping the front wall (where your design will be) to about one inch thick will make carving easier. You can check thickness by pushing a straight pin through the wall. Remember, light bouncing off the inside of the pumpkin is what creates your final image. Thoroughly cleaning out the inside will make for the best presentation.
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#5 - Print and attach the pattern
When printed, the patterns should be about the size a standard sheet of paper. You can reduce or enlarge the pattern to fit your pumpkin with a photocopier. With scissors, trim off the excess paper.
Choose the smoothest side of the pumpkin, and place the pattern over it.
If you're having trouble getting the pattern to lay flat, you can pleat the pattern (or cut slits) in areas that don't detract from the overall image. This slight bit of overlapping paper with help the pattern curve over the rounded the surface of the pumpkin. Once it's laying flat, tape the pattern securely around all the edges.
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#6 - Transfer the pattern
Use the poking tool or a push pin to lightly poke holes along the lines of the pattern. You don't need to go deep, just make sure to break the surface of the paper and the pumpkin's outer skin. Depending on the level of detail needed, make your holes 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart.
When you're sure you've poked along every line, remove the pattern and save it for carving reference. If you have trouble seeing the dots after removing the pattern, you can rub flour over the design to turn the dots white, or connect the dots with a fine point marker.
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#7 - Begin carving
Placing the pumpkin in your lap can help keep it steady. You should start by carving the smallest pieces first (eyes, teeth, etc). Hold your carving saw tool like a pencil and insert it straight into the pumpkin, on one of the dotted lines. Begin sawing (up and down motion) along the lines, connecting the dots.
Use the paper pattern as reference as you carve. You'll be removing the pieces that are shaded grey. Generally, you will want to work your way out from the center, saving the largest areas for last, as removing large chunks will make your carving surface unstable.
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#8 - Keep on carving
Follow curved lines by gently turning the saw in the direction you wish to carve. For sharp corners, pull out the saw and reinsert at the new angle. Never twist the saw or it will bend or break. When cutting out the larger pieces, cut them into two or three smaller pieces to allow for easier removal.
You can leave the cut shapes in place until you are finished cutting all lines to give the surface added support until you are done. When a shape is completely cut out, gently poke out the piece with your fingers.
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#9 - Final touches
Once you've removed all of the cut pieces, look your design over and compare to the paper pattern. Placing a flashlight inside the pumpkin will allow you to see the holes clearly.
If some openings don't look right, you can use the detail saw tool to carefully trim the inside edges of any excess flesh. Trimming in at an angle will allow more light to come through. If you accidentally break off a part of the design, you can reattach it with toothpicks.
When you're done, you can give the finished pumpkin a good rinsing in the sink. With the faucet or sprayer hose, spray some cool water through all the cut openings. This gets rid of any of the dangling bits and gives the pumpkin a little extra hydration for a nice fresh look.
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#10 - Preserve the pumpkin
Once carved, a jack-o-lantern doesn't last more that a few days before starting to dry out and shrivel up. Coat the cut edges with generous layer of petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or white glue. Use your finger on large openings, and a cotton swab to coat the tiny openings.
This helps seal in the pumpkin's moisture, extending its life to a week or more. You can also store a jack-o-lantern in the fridge when not on display, wrap them in plastic wrap, and soak a dried out pumpkin in water to bring it back to life.
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#11 - Light it up
Light a small candle and place it inside the pumpkin. Votive candles in glass candle holders are a pretty safe bet. Plain white candles will give off the most light.
If you replace the lid while lit, a blackened area will form inside the top of the pumpkin. You can cut a 1 or 2 inch hole in that blackened area to act as a vent to allow heat and smoke to escape.
Or for a longer lasting (and safer) method of lighting your pumpkin, you might consider battery operated lights, such as the Deluxe Rainbow Pumpkin Light or Artificial Candle Pumpkin Light.
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#12 - Photograph your monsterpiece
Light your jack-o-lantern and turn out any other lights. You'll want to turn off the camera's flash, otherwise it will over-light the surface of the pumpkin and you won't be able to see the glow from inside.
Since you aren't using flash, you'll need to hold the camera very steady (a tripod would be ideal). A photo taken this way will show only the carved design. If you want to see the outside of the pumpkin as well, illuminate it with an indirect light (dim lamp or candles), or photograph outside at dusk.
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