Fall is here, so it’s time to start thinking about bonfires, apple picking, pumpkins and one of the most recognizable icons of the season, the scarecrow. Scarecrows are great for keeping critters out of gardens and they make cute seasonal decorations for the front yard as well. It may be surprising, but scarecrows are actually pretty easy to make from scratch. All it takes is a little time, creativity, and some common household items.
1. If the scarecrow is going to be permanently posted in a garden or yard, the first step is to build a frame. In order to do this, you will need two sturdy posts. The anchor should be about 2”x 2” and eight feet high. The crossbar should be a 2” x 2” about five feet long. Fashion a cross out of the two posts and bind them together with twine or wire. If you are only using the scarecrow as a seasonal decoration, you can skip this step and just prop of the finished scarecrow on some hay bales or sit it in a chair.
2. The next step is to create the body of the scarecrow. To create the body for the scarecrow, use some old, colorful clothes. Some good options are overalls, jeans, flannel shirts, or dresses; any type of old clothing that is still in good condition can be used. Try to keep it colorful. Red is a particularly good color to use as it tends to keep birds away from plants and flowers. Once you have chosen the scarecrow’s outfit, tie off the open sleeves, pant legs, and shirt bottom and button-up the shirt if it has an open front.
3. Stuff the clothing in order to create the body of the scarecrow. Some good options for stuffing include grass, hay, and wood chips. Be sure to avoid using newspaper, as it can’t stand up to rainy weather. If you are hanging the scarecrow on a post, be sure to cut a hole in the pants for the post to go through.
4. Once the body is stuffed, add hands by placing long gloves over the shirtsleeves. Then create feet by adding socks and securing them over the pant legs.
5. Lastly, create a head for the scarecrow. The simplest way to create a head is to use a burlap sack or pillowcase. Just draw any kind of facial features you want to on your chosen material and then stuff with your filling. Fasten the head closed and then attach it with pins, twine, or wire to the body of the scarecrow. After the head is created and attached, you can add a hat or bandanna to give the scarecrow it’s own personality.
That’s it! In just five simple steps you have created a great-looking scarecrow to decorate your yard or garden.
Be sure to drop by the businesses in Burton and introduce yourselves to the many handsome scarecrows that will be outside ready to greet you through Halloween!
