How to Make a Life-Size Halloween Outdoor Witch

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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.

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Construct the Body

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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

Add PVC to Stand

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.

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Create Neck and Shoulders

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.

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Install Connector and Couplings

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.

Mount Shoulder Sections

Insert the 16.5-inch shoulder sections of pipe and the 3-inch neck section of pipe into the PVC connector.

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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

Position Wig Stand

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.

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Add the Mask

Put the mask on the wig stand, and place the wig on the head. Secure with straight pins.

Secure the Head

Place the wig on top of the head, and secure it in place with straight pins.

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Tip

Stuff the hat with crumpled up newspaper or plastic shopping bags so it keeps its shape when positioned on the life size witch's head.

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

Create Life Size Witch's Torso

With the black tape, tape the bed pillow to the front of the body at the shoulders to create the torso.

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Soften the Shoulders

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Put one black sock on the end of each shoulder to soften the shoulders.

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Put the Dress On the Witch

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.

Give the Witch Arms

Insert the pieces of foam into the sleeves to create the illusion of arms for your life size witch. Secure in place with tape near the wrists of the sleeves.

Give Her Some Gloves

Attach the gloves to the wrists of the sleeves with safety pins.

Position the Hands

Bring the hands together in the front of the body and tape them to the broom to make it look like your life size 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

Create Frame for Cauldron

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.

Drill the Holes

Drill three equidistant holes in the cauldron, about 2 inches from the top edge.

Secure the Ropes

Cut three 1-yard lengths of the rope. Thread them through the holes in the cauldron and secure with knots.

Hang the Cauldron

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.

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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.

Tie Up Loose Ends

Tie the remaining rope around the top of the branch structure to cover the wire.

Position Stake Light

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Insert the stake light into the ground underneath the hanging cauldron.

Lights, Camera, Showtime!

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.

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