Scarecrow Construction Tips
For
Individuals, Youth Leaders, and Activity Directors
The following is intended to provide first time folk artists or group leaders with practical advice regarding the construction of scarecrows.
Head
The face is usually the point of viewer focus, adequate consideration should be given to its features. Some heads have been made of pillowcases stuffed with straw. Others from burlap, plastic pumpkins, milk jugs, styrofoam, and garbage bags.
Eyes, noses, and mouths are sometimes fabricated from felt, yarn, seeds, gourds, corncobs, buttons, or painted (waterproof paint) directly onto the head material. Hats and hair made from rope, yarn, or straw frequently cover the top of the head.
Body
Structurally, the weakest points of a scarecrow are usually at the neck and waist. Sewing the head to the shirt and the shirt to the pants may be worth considering. A stick running from the head into the upper torso will help keep the head erect. Bodies made from a shirt stuck into overalls hold together well. A jumpsuit stuffed with straw and then dressed with other clothes is probably the easiest to construct and the most durable.
Use plenty of carpet thread or heavy duty staples to join the parts together. The cider mill will endeavour to have free stuffing straw available for onsite groups. Old leaves, newspapers (wrapped in plastic bags for waterproofing), and wadded up plastic shopping bags have also been used for stuffing material.
Display
Scarecrows can be freestanding, tied to our display fence, or seated on a chair or stool that you provide. They should be able to stand strong winds or rain. Please allow them to remain on display until Oct. 30.
Materials and Supplies
Entries should be constructed of materials of little or no value. Items you may need: old clothes, hat, head materials, shoes, gloves, safety pins, needle and carpet thread, scizzors, stapler, rope/string/wire, sticks, hot glue gun, wire cutters, pliers, and of course, duct tape..
