Frighten and delight all of your friends and neighbors by creating a life-size witch to cast a spell over your yard. This witch comes together quickly using easily-found materials that you might already have in your home, so even beginner crafters can handle this project. No special tools or skills are needed to build this scary decoration, and it can be easily disassembled and stored for use year after year.
Construct the Body
Things You'll Need
4-foot section of 1-inch PVC pipe
3-foot section of 1/2-inch PVC pipe
Four-way 1-inch "X" PVC connector
Three 1-to-1/2-inch PVC reducer couplings
Hacksaw
Tape measure
Outdoor umbrella stand
Step 1
Insert the 4-foot section of 1-inch PVC pipe into the umbrella stand. Tighten the bolts until the pipe is held securely in the stand.
Step 2
With the hacksaw, cut a 3-inch piece off of the 3-foot section of 1/2-inch PVC pipe to use as the neck. Cut the remaining 33-inch section in half, creating two 16.5-inch sections to use as shoulders.
Step 3
Install the four-way "X" PVC connector to the top of the 4-foot section of pipe. Insert the PVC reducer couplings into the three remaining openings on the connector.
Step 4
Insert the 16.5-inch shoulder sections of pipe and the 3-inch neck section of pipe into the PVC connector.
Make the Head
Things You'll Need
Styrofoam wig stand
Long, black wig
Latex witch mask
Witch hat
Newspaper or plastic shopping bags
Straight pins
Drill
1/2-inch drill bit
Step 1
With the drill bit, make a 1/2-inch hole in the base of the wig stand. Set the wig stand on top of the PVC neck section on the body.
Step 2
Put the mask on the wig stand, and place the wig on the head. Secure with straight pins.
Step 3
Place the wig on top of the head, and secure it in place with straight pins.
Tip
Stuff the hat with crumpled up newspaper or plastic shopping bags so it keeps its shape.
Dress the Witch
Things You'll Need
Standard bed pillow
Black duct tape or electrical tape
Pair of black socks
Long black dress or witch costume
Long black cape
Two black scarves
Two pieces of 2-by-4-inch foam padding
Witch gloves
Safety pins
Broom
Step 1
With the black tape, tape the bed pillow to the front of the body at the shoulders to create the torso.
Other People Are Reading
Step 2
Put one black sock on the end of each shoulder to soften the shoulders.
Step 3
Put the dress on the witch's body. Cover the base of the wig stand with one of the black scarves. Tie the other black scarf loosely around the waist.
Step 4
Insert the pieces of foam into the sleeves to create the illusion of arms. Secure in place with tape near the wrists of the sleeves.
Step 5
Attach the gloves to the wrists of the sleeves with safety pins.
Step 6
Bring the hands together in the front of the body and tape them to the broom to make it look like the witch is holding the broom.
Build the Witch's Cauldron
Things You'll Need
Three tall branches, approximately 3-foot or 4-foot
20-gauge wire
Wire cutters
S hook
4 yards of 1/4-inch rope or twine
Scissors
Drill
1/4-inch drill bit
Black plastic witch's cauldron
Dry ice
Outdoor stake light
Several small twigs
Step 1
Prop the branches up together in the shape of a tepee. Secure them at the top with the 20-gauge wire. Trim with wire cutters. Thread a piece of wire through the top and attach the S hook for hanging the cauldron.
Step 2
Drill three equidistant holes in the cauldron, about 2 inches from the top edge.
Step 3
Cut three 1-yard lengths of the rope. Thread them through the holes in the cauldron and secure with knots.
Step 4
Gather the ends of the rope together in your hand and tie a knot. Hang the cauldron inside the branch structure by the S hook.
Tip
The cauldron should hang approximately 1 foot from the ground. If it is hanging too low or too high, adjust the position of the knot at the top.
Step 5
Tie the remaining rope around the top of the branch structure to cover the wire.
Step 6
Insert the stake light into the ground underneath the hanging cauldron.
Step 7
When it gets dark, turn on the stake light and cover with twigs to make it look like a fire. Put dry ice into the cauldron to look like a bubbling brew.
Tip
For a more realistic-looking fire, use a yellow or orange bulb in the stake light.