Scarecrow and Bum Halloween Costumes: What You'll Need to Pull Off the Looks

You will need a pair of bib overalls or jeans.
A long sleeve plaid over sized shirt or long sleeve colorful sweater
You can also just use your child's jacket
A straw or brightly colored fabric had with a wide brim
1/2 yard of yellow fabric
red bandanna
scrap material (different kinds to make patches - plaid or flannel fabrics work good)
jute

Now you will take the various scrap materials and cut about 3 or 4 inch size patches. Make some small and some larger.
You will pin the patches on one of the knees, on the back seat of the pants, and place them over each other and space them around to make them look like they pants were patched, then use a sewing needle and thread (use a different color of thread so it shows up on the patches and just slip stitch the patches in place. You also want to take and put patches on the elbows of the shirt and different places on the front and back of the shirt or jacket as well.

the bandanna and tuck it in one of the back pockets, have part of the bandanna hang out of the pocket, tack the bandanna in the pocket so it doesn't fall out when Trick or Treating.

Then take the yellow fabric and measure around your child's neck, arms, and ankles (seeing how much fabric you will need to wrap around the leg, arms and neck. Then take a scissors and cut the material about 8 inches wider than you need it, Take and cut away a 4 inch piece on each end (do not cut completely away, leave about a one inch piece going across the top on each end of the fabric (this will be for tying around the neck, wrists and legs) I like to have the strips at least 8 inches long. I then take a scissors and cut thin strips to make it look more like straw. You can also cut some sections the same way to tack inside the hat, making it look like hair (this is optional).

Now take some of the left over yellow scraps and stuff them between some of the patches and tack in place, this will give this the illusion that straw is coming out of the scarecrow. Your scarecrow can wear boots or shoes, if using canvas tennis shoes, you can also sew patches on them as well.

Then take a bit of eyebrow pencil when getting ready and color the tip of your child's nose with the eyebrow pencil in the shape of a triangle. Use some blush and make bright colored cheeks. When ready to get dressed take the yellow fabric and tie around the wrist, above the ankle around the neck and then you can either wear the jacket or shirt (you will want to stuff the shirt or jacket with hand towels, to give it the full look of a stuffed scarecrow (all depending on the weather if it is colder - this will work great. If it is warmer than an over sized shirt works best).Then put on the jeans or bib overalls (tucking the jacket or shirt in the pants). Use some jute to put through the belt loops for a roped belt. You will want the straw to hand to the soles of the shoes, no longer as you do not want the child to trip on the fabric.

Now you are ready to send or take your little scarecrow Trick or Treating

This can also be made for an adult.

Bum Costume

Follow the basic instructions above, but do not use the yellow fabric. For makeup use the eyebrow pencil and smear it in your hands and then on your child's face and hands to make them look dirty. Use a narrow branch and take your bandanna and fill it with batting or a lightweight hand towel (this is to give it a full look) and tie it a few inches from the end of the stick.

This also can be made for an adult.

Have fun trick-or-treating.