Scarecrows have been around seemingly since the beginning of time, and for good reason. These figures fashioned in the shape of a human can help you protect your garden from hungry birds and animals while doing double duty as festive fall decor. They also up the spooky factor of your yard when it comes time for Halloween decorating. It's fun to make your own custom scarecrow, and it's easy too!
Things You'll Need
Post
Post hole digger
Two-by-two measuring 30 inches
Power drill
2 galvanized screws measuring 3 inches
Plaid long-sleeve shirt
Overalls
Work gloves
Twine or string
Burlap material
Straw or raffia
Straw hat
2 safety pins
Permanent marker
Newspaper (optional)
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1. Dig a hole
Use the post hole digger to dig a hole in the ground about 18 inches down and wide enough to fit the post.
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2. Secure the post
Place the post inside the hole and hold it straight up while replacing the dirt around it. When the dirt is almost the same height as the ground, you will need to stomp down on it to compact it around the post. You may need to place more dirt and stomp another time to keep the ground looking level.
3. Create the arms
Place the two-by-two inside the plaid shirt, placing the ends of the wood where the elbows would be inside the sleeves of the shirt.
4. Attach the shirt
Place the wood against the post, leaving about 5 inches free at the top of the post for the scarecrow's head. Make sure the shirt collar is not between the wood and the post. Drill two screws through the two-by-two and into the post, securing the wood onto the post.
5. Add the overalls
With the overalls unfastened, place the straps over the shoulders of the shirt from behind and fasten them to the overalls so they hang as though being worn by the shirt. Tuck the shirt into the overalls.
6. Close off the pant legs
Tie some twine tightly around the ends of both pant legs to close them off so that when you stuff the pants with straw, the straw won't fall out.
7. Add the gloves
Tuck the gloves inside the sleeves of the shirt. Take some twine and tightly tie the wrists of the sleeves closed. This will also hold the gloves in place.
8. Create the head
Cut a piece of burlap material to 2 feet by 2 1/2 feet. Place some straw in the middle of the burlap and fold the fabric over itself to create a head shape. If it isn't round or big enough, add more straw. Be sure to leave a little extra burlap at the bottom of the head so you can tie it to the post.
When you have the right size, attach the head to the post by sticking the extra burlap around the post and tying it into place with twine. Tuck the extra burlap into the shirt collar.
9. Add the hat
Place the hat on the head of the scarecrow. Secure it in place with safety pins.
10. Stuff the scarecrow
Add as much straw as you would like inside the shirt and overalls, making sure to fill out the chest, arms, and legs as much as possible. Leave some straw sticking out of the shirt between the buttons and from the neck.
Tip
You could also use newspaper as additional filler to create the scarecrow's body, but don't use it as the only filler since rain or moisture will cause it to sag.
11. Draw the face
Use a permanent marker to draw a face on the scarecrow. The traditional style is two triangles for the eyes, an upside-down triangle for the nose, and a half circle for the smile.
12. Add some decorations
If your scarecrow is more for decoration than function, add some decorative items around the post, such as a hay bale, pumpkins, or autumn-colored flowers.
