How to Make a Pirate Scarecrow

Frighten away crows with your treasure-hunting, sword-wielding pirate scarecrow. A few simple materials and a little imagination will help you craft a one-of-a-kind guardian for your vegetable patch to protect your harvest treasures from pests.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• one styrofoam head OR paper-mache kit (one newspaper, glue, balloon, shellack)
• one old coat
• one pair of pants
• one pair of boots (mismatched okay)
• one skein of black yarn
• one costume pirate hat
• one feather
• one large sheet of cardboard
• paint
• glue
• one silver curtain ring
• one eye patch
• one pile straw, rags, or stuffing
• one old pillow
• one pair of gloves
• one cross-shaped scarecrow pole

1. To make your scarecrow's head, either paint flesh tones and features on an old Styrofoam head (the kind used to display hats or wigs) or make one by covering an inflated balloon with torn-up strips of newspaper and glue. When dry, burst the balloon and stuff the head with paper or old rags. Paint your face, then spray with a sealant to protect the paint and paper from the elements.

2. Snip the skin of black yarn into long strips and glue together to form a wig, beard, and moustache for your pirate. Be creative and braid a few dreadlocks (add beads if you like) and unravel the strands before gluing to your pirate's head.

3. Stick your paper-mache or Styrofoam head to the top of your scarecrow's pole and secure with glue if necessary.

4. Stuff an old pair of pants full of rags, straw, or stuffing to fill out your pirate's legs. Tie off the feet and slip them inside an old pair of boots -- glue in place if you like, or lace them up tight and let him "stand" in them on the pole.

5. Take your old coat or jacket (dark blue is best for a pirate effect) and paint any buttons with yellow or gold-colored paint. Slide the arms on your scarcrow's pole and button the coat, then button it up over an old pillow or sack full of rags or straw.

6. Sew the pants to the bottom of the coat, letting his legs dangle or touch the ground. Stuff your old gloves with straw before sewing inside the sleeves.

7. For a sword, cut a long piece of cardboard painted silver into the shape of a pirate's blade. Sew to his hip or fasten with an old belt.

8. Add your creative finishing touches, such as a curtain "ear ring" sewn to the side of his head, an eye patch, or an old knit cap or costume pirate hat (stick a feather in the brim for an extra touch of creativity).

Tips & Warnings

• Consider adding other creative touches, such as a fake parrot, a pirate flag on a pole, or an old "treasure chest" made of cardboard or wooden crates.
• Hide the empty space between his face and coat by tying on a spotted pirate handkerchief or a piece of black-and-white striped sailor's fabric.