As Halloween approaches, folks are looking for cool ways to decorate porches, lawns and decks to get into the spirit of the season. There are lots of ways to add character to your house and a great way to decorate is to add a scarecrow to your cast of Halloween decorative characters. It's not hard to do if you know how to make a scarecrow for Halloween. Just follow these simple directions and soon you'll have a scarecrow of your own, ready to frighten the trick or treaters along with the crows!
Introduction
Before you begin making your scarecrow, gather your supplies. You'll need an old shirt (preferably plaid), an old pair of courderoys or blue jeans, a pillow case for the head, stuffing material, socks or boots for the feet, and gloves for the hands. You'll also need safety pins or twine, and any items you want to accessorize your scarecrow with such as an old hat, a belt or scarf, or even a Halloween candy bowl!
Dressing Up Your Scarecrow
After you get your scarecrow put together, have some fun dressing him up with accessories like an old straw hat or even a baseball cap. Add a fun scarf or a bandana around his neck so he looks genuine. For more ideas you can use to dress up your scarecrow, check out this short video.
Step 1: Tie Up Loose Ends
The first thing to do is to secure the ends of the sleeves on the old shirt as well as the bottom of the shirt with safety pins. Do this so the stuffing won't fall out when you're putting the scarecrow together. Do not secure the neck-hole as this is where you will put the stuffing. When you're done, secure the bottoms of the pants legs with safety pins. Now you're ready to stuff the scarecrow!
Step 2: Stuff It!
Now take your stuffing material, either straw or newspaper or some similar type of filling, and stuff it into the shirt and the legs of the pants. Leave some room at the top near the waist of the pants and the neck of the shirt because you will need to put everything together. Once you stuff the arms and legs, tie them with twine and put some straw into the twine so it is sticking out of the arms and legs.
Stuff the pillow case with stuffing as well. Only add enough so it is the approximate size of a soccer ball. This will be the scarecrow's head. After you stuff it, secure the bottom with safety pins.
Step 3: Put it all Together
Now, tuck the pillow case head into the neck of the shirt and secure the two together with more pins. Then tuck the bottom of the shirt into the pants and secure with pins. You can also secure this part with an old belt if you are going to have the scarecrow in a chair.
Either place your scarecrow in a chair (if you want him sitting on Halloween) or secure him to a stake in your yard with twine. If he's sitting, he can hold the Halloween candy bowl.
Step 4: Accessorize
Now you are ready to accessorize your scarecrow. Using black marker, make his eyes and nose on the pillow case. Use a red marker for his mouth. Put an old hat on his head and add some straw underneath so it looks like it is spilling out. Have some fun adding gloves, a scarf or any other items you want to your scarecrow. He can even wear your favorite NFL jersey!
