How To Make A Scarecrow

This is for a full size scarecrow…perfect for your porch or wherever.

Supplies:
Pillow case
Shirt
Pair of pants or jeans
Shoes (optional)
Gloves
Hat
Bale of hay (or  you could use newspapers or leaves from your yard)
Rope or twine
Duct tape or large safety pins
Permanent markers

To make the head, stuff the pillowcase tightly with hay or leaves or wadded up newspapers; tie it off at the bottom once you have the shape you desire.  Using markers, draw a face on your scarecrow.  To get really creative you can cut shapes out of material or felt and glue them on.  It can be as fancy or simple as you want.

Next assemble the body.  Lay the shirt and the pants down and tie the wrist and ankles with twine or rope so the stuffing doesn’t fall out.  You’ll need to use a lot so he’s sturdy.  Next stuff the shirt and the pants.

Tuck the shirt into the waist of the pants and use an old belt or tie a rope around the waist to secure them together.  You may need to use some duct tape or safety pins on the inside to hold the top and bottom of your scarecrow together.

This is a simple scarecrow.  For a stronger scarecrow, add long sticks in the arms and legs and also through the neck before you stuff so he’ll be less floppy.

Now attach the head.  This can be tricky, so be sure to secure it tightly to the top of the shirt using the tape or pins.  We’re almost done now.  Attach the gloves and the shoes if desired, again using duct tape to help secure if necessary.

Add the finishing touches, such as gloves for hands and shoes if desired.  And he’ll need a hat.  It can be a straw hat like a traditional scarecrow, a baseball cap or a fleece winter cap.  Often you see scarecrows with jeans and flannel shirts but dress yours however you like. 

Now your scarecrow is ready to put up.  Prop it against a tree or sit it in a chair on your front porch.