How to Make a Scarecrow

Scarecrows are not just for scaring away crows anymore! You can dress them up in formal attire to welcome guests to a holiday party or for special occasions. Below you'll find everything you'll need to make your very own scarecrow.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Buttons
• Straw Hats
• Gardening Gloves
• Glues
• Pillowcases
• Yarns
• Felt-tip Pens
• Rubber Bands
• Rubber Bands
• Bamboo Pole
• Ropes
• Craft Wire
• Rubber bands

1. Cut a 10-foot bamboo pole into two pieces, one 4 feet long and the other 6 feet long.

2. Place the 4-foot section across the 6-foot piece, 1 foot down from the top.

3. Wire the two pieces together with floral wire, twine or raffia.

4. Place an old shirt on the short cross-piece of the frame and button the shirt in front.

5. Stuff the shirt loosely with straw, dry leaves or rags.

6. Place gloves at the end of the "arms" and secure them with rubber bands.

7. Pull one leg of a pair of trousers onto the long bamboo pole. The other leg will hang freely.

8. Tuck the stuffed shirt into the waist of the trousers.

9. Secure the waist of the trousers to the pole with a rope or belt, tying the belt or rope to the cross-piece if necessary to keep the pants from falling down.

10. Stuff the pants with the stuffing material of your choice.

11. Make a head for your scarecrow by stuffing straw into a pillowcase. Tie the pillowcase opening onto the top of the long stake with rope.

12. Draw a face with felt-tip pens, or glue on buttons for eyes and yarn for a mouth.

13. Stick the scarecrow in the ground or tie it securely in another location.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative! Scarecrows can be male or female.
• Dress up your scarecrow according to the occasion, perhaps in a tuxedo for a formal affair, or a cocktail dress if you're hosting a casual evening with friends.
• If you decide not to make a scarecrow head, simply place a hat on the top of the long pole, stapling it to the bamboo so it stays in place.
• Another way to avoid the pants falling off is to use overalls and secure them over the cross-piece.
• Don't expect your scarecrow to scare off crows. They usually aren't afraid of such things.

on 11/22/2005 My uncle stuffed his scarecrow with his daughter's used (wet only, please) diapers. The animals don't like the smell of human urine and will stay away. It may seem a little yucky, but it works really well and it recycles!

on 11/22/2005 Be sure that when you are ready to make the Scarecrow a head that you use a (white) pillow case to do so; lay the pillow case on a flat surface, in order to do a good job on its' face. Before using a black Magic Marker, or pen, decide what kind of face you what it to have; such as a frown, or so forth. Plus, be sure that it has a hat with straw sticking out underneath. Sit a large owl nearby, for they are natural predators and will scare off crows.

on 11/22/2005 Secure two pie plates behind scarecrow to make a clinking noise to distract the birds and scare them away.