Scarecrows can help keep birds away from your garden or vegetable patch. A simple scarecrow can be created using a long pole with a board at its end; or dress one up further by covering its frame with old clothing and other items, such as a hat.
Used clothing, broom handles or twine used in your garden make great body parts. For the headpiece use either a pumpkin carving or plastic jack-o'-lantern.
To construct your scarecrow, it is necessary to build a frame. While its form doesn't need to be anything special, it must be sturdy enough to support a person and scare away birds and animals from your garden.
Place a shirt on the upper crossbar, along with overalls or pants on the smaller bar, then fill them up with whatever material is handy - plastic bags, old clothing items, dry grass clippings, straw, twigs or even paper are great filler materials!
As for the head, either use a pillowcase or piece of burlap cloth; adding an optional hat adds even more menacingness to your scarecrow's appearance.
Once your frame is constructed, it's time to stuff your scarecrow with clothes! Clothes give a scarecrow its distinctive character - no expensive purchases needed; old clothing from around your home works just as well.
Kaitlyn created her scarecrow from old jeans, a plaid shirt and a straw hat. To create arms she tied off cuffs of the shirt using twine while using another piece to form pants using twine.
Assemble the head by attaching hessian to the top of your frame, stuffing it with straw or rags for an oblong head shape, drawing, stitching, or painting facial features directly on it to complete its appearance.
Scarecrows have traditionally been made out of any materials readily available, such as old clothing, straw or leaves. Plastic bags, shredded paper and even old newspapers also make great filling material that will withstand rain and sun.
An old pillowcase makes the ideal base for creating the head of your scarecrow. Simply fill it with filling, pull it down over the frame, and start shaping its form. Add features like faces, hair styles and hats that look menacing enough to frighten away birds that might invade your vegetable garden, adding detail for extra scariness. The more realistic looking your scarecrow head becomes.
Dressing your scarecrow can add both personality and style. A classic farmer look with shirt, overalls and overall hat may be easiest for quick costume ideas; or try dressing him or her up as an angel wearing an angel costume complete with a scarf and hat as last minute ideas!
As far as heads go, a painted plastic plant pot, old football or even hessian sack are great choices; or for character-inspired scarecrows such as The Tin Man from "The Wizard of Oz," metal buckets make for great choices!
Add finishing touches to your scarecrow by decorating it with leaves, twigs, grass clippings and other natural items found around your allotment plot. Also consider including accessories like gloves for hands or spectacles to give it more personality.
Scarecrows don't always need to wear traditional hats; an old metal bucket or plant pot makes a perfect head form! Just wrap a piece of burlap around its edge and secure with twine at the top for a quick and simple transformation!
Dress your frame up like a stylish scarecrow by covering it in old clothing. Place an old shirt over the main crossbar, followed by trousers on another smaller bar; button them both and tie their ends around arms (Image 1). Finally, tie together legs of trousers before stuffing them full of straw (Image 2).
To create the hat, cut a cardboard tube in half long ways. Next, slit into the bottom portion and fold up both sides; glue tufts of hair onto it as desired to give your finished result.
Once your scarecrow is completed, add some final touches by dressing it accordingly. Achieve a more lifelike character by donning overalls if creating a farmer scarecrow or gardening gloves for female scarecrows.
Repurpose old clothing, broom handles, garden twine and scarecrow hats as recycled materials to reduce waste while saving on costs. Reusing recycled materials helps you reduce waste while stretching your budget further.
For a more realistic finish, begin painting your scarecrow in light colors before adding darker accents for detail. Use a wash brush for best results before letting the paint dry before placing in your yard or garden.
Now that you've learned how to make a scarecrow from scratch, it's time to put your skills to the test! For more detailed instructions and creative ideas, head over to Archidrenaline. Their comprehensive guide provides step-by-step tutorials and expert tips to help you create the most charming and effective scarecrow for your garden or farm. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a beginner, their resources will inspire you to make your scarecrow truly unique. Get ready to ward off those pesky birds and add a delightful touch to your outdoor space!
