How to Make a Straw Hat Scarecrow

This delightful craft project is easy enough for kids to make, but don't let the kids have all the fun. Create your own straw hat scarecrow to hang on the front door to welcome fall guests or to liven up any corner of your home.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 16-inch straw hat (1)
• 12-inch straw hat (1)
• Raffia (natural)
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brush
• Stipple brush
• Hot glue gun
• Fabric scraps
• Black marker
• Clear acrylic spray
• Scissors
• Paper towels
• Pencil
• Artificial flowers

1. Cut the 12-inch straw hat in half with a sharp pair of scissors. Be sure to cut a nice straight line. Drawing a light line with a pencil will guide your cuts. Set it aside when you are finished.

2. Place the 16-inch hat on a flat surface. Carefully sketch a scarecrow face onto the rounded portion of the hat with a soft-leaded pencil. Be sure to sketch facial features lightly so they will not show in the final project.

3. Use a stipple brush dipped in red or rust-colored acrylic paint. Daub most of the paint onto a paper towel. Stipple on the cheeks until they are the desired shade.

4. Paint the mouth using a slightly darker shade of the cheek color.

5. Complete the facial features with acrylic paints and a fine paint brush. A fine black marker is ideal for outlining eyes. Add a speck of white to represent the glint in the eye.

6. If you prefer, draw a line down the center of the face. Add decorative stitches by making X's with a fine marker.

7. To preserve your new scarecrow, spray the face with clear acrylic once it has dried.

8. Glue sections of raffia around the edge of the face to simulate straw. These should extend to almost the outer edge of the brim on the 16-inch hat. Use varying lengths and place them randomly for a natural look.

9. Glue one half of the 12-inch straw hat to the head of your scarecrow. Add a small cluster of artificial flowers to the brim or one large bloom. Choose autumn colors. A small sunflower or rust-colored daisy works well.

10. Add a bandana or scrap of material at the neck.

11. Display on doors or in windows to celebrate the fall harvest.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to experiment with facial features that appeal to you. Each scarecrow will take on his own unique personality as you create him. Add scraps of fabric or floral material that suits your taste.