Scarecrows were a familiar sight in agricultural areas for a long time, but now they are appearing as a decorating theme for Halloween and fall parties. With some old clothes and straw, you can easily make your own scarecrow. Install it in the garden or position the scarecrow on your front porch when you're done making it. Whether you use it to scare birds away or just as a decoration, your scarecrow is sure to attract attention.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating Body Parts
Step 1. Create the outline of the scarecrow
Start by combining 1.5 m of lumber near the top of 1.8-2.4 m of lumber, broom handles or garden posts. This will create a shoulder for the scarecrow. Secure the shorter sticks in place using a screwdriver and screws, some thread, or hot glue.
Step 2. Attach the shirt to the frame
Dress your scarecrow in an old plaid shirt, using a horizontal wooden stick as the sleeve. Button the shirt, then tie the ends of the sleeves and the bottom of the shirt using thread or wire.
Step 3. Fill the shirt
Cleverly fill the shirt to fill your scarecrow's body. Straw, dry grass, leaves, grass clippings, wood chips and cloth are all allowed stuffing.
- Try to avoid using newspaper for your scarecrow, however, as rainfall can cause the newspaper to become wet and deformed.
- Use more filling to give your scarecrow a full belly, if desired.
Step 4. Put on the overalls on the scarecrow
Make a hole in the bottom of the overalls so that the vertical stick can pass through. Put the overalls on the scarecrow, put the straps on the shoulders. Tie the hands with twine or wire. Fill in the legs of the overalls using the same filling as used for the shirt.
Step 5. Give the scarecrow a pair of hands
The old scarecrows had straw sticking out of the ends of their sleeves, but for a more realistic human-like shape, you can use old work gloves or gardening gloves. Fill the gloves with enough stuffing to keep their shape, tuck them in the ends of the sleeves, then secure with wire or twine.
Step 6. Give the scarecrow legs
Fit the hem of the pants into the tops of some old boots, or other shoes. Fasten using strings that are sewn to each component of the material, or use hot melt glue.
- Or, try using a double-sided adhesive, such as carpet adhesive, to attach the shoes.
- Whichever method you use, make sure it's firmly attached, or your scarecrow will lose its legs.
Method 2 of 3: Creating the Head
Step 1. Use a burlap sack
Burlap sacks, used to protect trees, or carry potatoes and coffee beans, are perfect for making scarecrow heads. To make a head from burlap:
- Fill one plastic shopping bag full with another until you have the right size for your head.
- Place the bag in the center of a burlap sack, then cut a wide circle around it. There is no need to measure or cut circles perfectly.
- Tighten the burlap sack around the plastic bag, and place it on a vertical post (scarecrow neck) before tying it tightly with twine or wire.
Step 2. Use the pumpkin
Use jack o' lantern pumpkins to make seasonal scarecrow heads. First, choose a good, round pumpkin. Cut a large circle hole in the top of the pumpkin (around the stem) and remove the inside. Use a sharp knife to make the face shape of your scarecrow. Pierce the bottom of the pumpkin into the scarecrow's neck and secure with glue or adhesive if necessary.
- Don't place the candle in the pumpkin as you normally would with a jack o' lantern pumpkin. Other materials used to make your scarecrow are flammable materials.
- Other vegetables, such as sweet pumpkin and radishes, can also be used for this purpose.
- Keep in mind that pumpkins and other vegetables will eventually rot, so if you want your scarecrow heads to last longer, consider using an alternative method.
Step 3. Use a pillowcase
Pillowcases are another option for making scarecrow heads, and are something you probably have around the house. To make your scarecrow head using a pillowcase:
- Fill the pillowcase halfway with straw or the stuffing of your choice.
- Clamp the pillowcase with safety pins to prevent the filling from falling down, but don't completely cover the bottom.
- Insert your scarecrow's head into a vertical post (scarecrow's neck).
- Push until the top of the post is at the top of the pillowcase, right through the straw.
- Secure the pillowcase to the posts using twine or wire, then trim off the excess material and remove the pins.
Step 4. Use other household items
There are many possibilities when it comes time to make your scarecrow head. If you're trying to save the cost of keeping your scarecrow to a minimum, only use whatever items are around you. Here are some ideas for the case:
- Stockings. Choose a pair of stockings with a natural skin tone. Cut the tops off the legs on one side, tie a knot inside, and fill the stockings with filling, letting the stockings taper to the "neck" before tying the other (lower) part to a vertical post.
- Bucket. Pierce the clay-filled bucket just above the scarecrow's neck, for an unusual but useful head.
- Bottle of milk. A gallon plastic milk bottle is another good choice for scarecrow heads. Their smooth surface is perfect for drawing faces and these are waterproof. You must also have one or two lying around the house. Again, simply pierce the bottle against a vertical post, and secure it with glue or adhesive if necessary.
Method 3 of 3: Giving the Finishing Touches
Step 1. Give your scarecrow a face shape
You can shape your scarecrow's face using an irresistible coloring agent. Decide if you want the scarecrow to look smiling and happy or grumpy and threatening. Here are some ideas that can be used:
- Draw the eyes, nose and mouth of the scarecrow using black marker.
- Cut out triangles from colored felt pieces for the eyes and nose. You can sew it up or stick it with hot glue.
- Use different sizes or colors of buttons for the eyes, nose and mouth. Sew or glue with hot glue.
- Use scraps of black plastic or a clean pipe to create the eyebrows. Tilt the eyebrows down to create an angry scarecrow.
Step 2. Give hair to your scarecrow
Glue straw onto your scarecrow's head for a hair effect. Don't worry about making it look neat, scarecrows are supposed to look scary after all! Or, stick an old wig or use an old mop on his head.
Step 3. Add embellishments
You can dress up the scarecrow by decorating it any way you like. The most important decoration, however, is the straw hat. Use the old straw hat you have around you and glue it to the head with hot glue. Here are some other decorating ideas (optional):
- Tie a red bandana around the scarecrow's neck, or let a light colored handkerchief peek out of his pocket
- Decorate the straw hat with some brightly colored plastic flowers.
- Pin the old pipe in his mouth.
- Tie a reflective material or shiny ribbon around your scarecrow to add movement and reflection from the light.
Step 4. Done creating
Tips
- Look at your local thrift or thrift store if you don't have any old clothes at home.
- Use any light filling you can find, as you'll be positioning your creation for installation when it's finished. Scarecrows are traditionally filled with hay from dry grass, not as commonly available as they used to be.
- Shape the scarecrow according to its purpose, scary, funny, or something in between.
- Don't try too hard to make it look authentic, that's not the purpose of making a scarecrow.
- To create a scarecrow that has a scary face, sew or draw jagged lines to form a smile.
- Unused plastic bags can also be used to fill scarecrows…they are lightweight and can cope with changing weather very well.
- You can heat melted glue, use a safety pin, or sew the "joints" of your scarecrow together, just make sure they stick tight enough to support themselves.
Warning
- Scarecrows are flammable, do not light candles or lanterns nearby.
- Scarecrows can scare small children.
