How to Build a Scarecrow

Scarecrows are traditionally used in the garden to scare away birds, but they can also be used for decorating your yard in the fall. Paired with cornstalks and a few bright orange pumpkins, scarecrows add fun to any yard. Although some choose to make elaborate scarecrows that may take days to complete, a basic scarecrow can be made in an afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Old clothes (pants, shirt)
• Gloves
• Socks
• Shoes
• Scraps of tan or brown material
• Hat
• Twine/garden rope
• Hot glue gun/glue
• Stapler
• Straw or hay
• Markers/paints
• Plastic ball

Instructions

1. Select old clothing in the color, size and style you prefer. Scarecrows are traditionally made with jeans and a flannel shirt, but the clothing you choose is up to you.

2. Choose a pair of old gloves for the hands and stuff with leaves or hay. Tuck the cuff of the gloves into the shirtsleeves and wrap garden rope or twine around the sleeve and tie the glove securely in place. Repeat by stuffing old socks and securing them to the pant legs in the same manor.

3. Stuff the shirt with hay or leaves to make a nice plump body. Lay aside. Fill the pants with the stuffing and tuck the shirttails into the waist of the pants. Run garden rope or twine through the belt loops of the pants. Pull snugly to hold the shirt in place. You may wish to use a stapler to staple the shirt and pants together to provide added support.

4. Choose a plastic ball in the correct size for a proportioned head. Cover the ball with a round piece of tan colored cloth and gather and tie the ends leaving 3 to 4 inches of loose material.

5. Tuck the loose ends from the head into the neck hole of the shirt and secure in place with twine or staples.

6. Add decorative touches and facial features with paint or markers. Add a hat and hot glue it in place on top of the head.

7. Glue tuffs of straw or hay around rim of the hat for hair. Insert small handfuls of hay or straw into the ends of the sleeves and pant legs and glue in place. Slip an old pair of shoes on the stuffed socks.

8. Display the scarecrow in a seated position near the entrance to your home or under cornstalks.