Scarecrow Competition
Steps for making a traditional scarecrow:
- Cut a 10-foot bamboo pole into two pieces, one 4 feet long and the other 6 feet long.
- Place the 4-foot section across the 6-foot piece, 1 foot down from the top.
- Wire the two pieces together with floral wire, twine or raffia.
- Place an old shirt on the short cross-piece of the frame and button the shirt in front.
- Stuff the shirt loosely with straw, dry leaves or rags.
- Place gloves at the end of the "arms" and secure them with rubber bands.
- Pull one leg of a pair of trousers onto the long bamboo pole. The other leg will hang freely.
- Tuck the stuffed shirt into the waist of the trousers.
- Secure the waist of the trousers to the pole with a rope or belt, tying the belt or rope to the cross-piece if necessary to keep the pants from falling down.
- Stuff the pants with the stuffing material of your choice.
- Make a head for your scarecrow by stuffing straw into a pillowcase. Tie the pillowcase opening onto the top of the long stake with rope.
- Draw a face with felt-tip pens, or glue on buttons for eyes and yarn for a mouth.
- Stick the scarecrow in the ground or tie it securely in another location.
Tips:
- Be creative! Scarecrows can be male or female!
- If you decide not to make a scarecrow head, simply place a hat on the top of the long pole, stapling it to the bamboo so it stays in place.
- Another way to avoid the pants falling off is to use overalls and secure them over the cross-piece