Skill Level
Beginner
Time to Make
1.5 Hours plus drying time for paint
Adult Supervision Needed
Yes
How to Make
- To make a scarecrow, start by slotting the 2 feet into a wooden body so it stands up. Mix up a colour for the face then paint over the head, including around the sides. Paint the hands and feet dark brown, or use another colour. Leave to dry.
- Place the scarecrow flat onto the backing paper of a self-adhesive felt sheet then draw around the body shape as a guide for cutting the clothes. Cut out the clothes allowing an extra 2cm extra at the edges where the felt can be wrapped over the legs and arms. The clothing shapes will vary, depending on how you dress your scarecrow. For a shirt and trousers, cut 2 separate pieces to fit the top and bottom of the body. For a dress, cut one felt piece to fit the body with straps at the top, which can be folded over the arms. Cut ragged edges on the clothes for a more tattered effect.
- Before attaching the clothes onto the body, stick strips of double-sided tape onto the head, hands and feet then press pieces of twine on top for straw and hair. Trim the twine with scissors if any pieces are too long.
- Peel off the backing paper on the clothes then stick them onto the body. For a neater fit under the arms or between the legs, snip the felt up to the edge of the body. Wrap the felt edges over the body then press them down.
- Cut a 10cm x 5cm felt strip for a hat, peel off the backing then wrap it around the head, folding the sides into pointed shape. Glue 2 wiggle eyes onto the face. Stick a felt nose and mouth underneath.
- Stick small hessian strips around the hat and onto the body with double-sided tape. Glue buttons onto the clothes and add other fabric details like patches, a belt or a scarf.
Top Tip
To draw the shapes for the clothes, position the scarecrow’s body lying down on the felt near the edge of your work surface with the feet hanging over the edge.
Tagged with:
Harvest Festival
