Step-by-Step Scarecrow Decoration Out of Recyclable Materials

Scarecrows are a common face of Halloween so if you're into Halloween crafts, scare yourself up your own scarecrow. You don't have to go out and buy the latest supplies to have a neat scarecrow; instead you can use materials that you have laying around your home to make one. Since Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, I often think of ways to recycle items that I already own for fun holiday craft making. This article will give you step by step directions on making a scarecrow for Halloween at home.

What you'll need:

Old pillows

Children's shirt

Children's pants

2 large to medium size buttons (yellow or green would work but the color choice is up to you)

A handful of smaller white buttons

Something small and round (think head shaped such as a tennis ball, baseball, plastic Christmas ornament, etc)

White or colored sock

Scissors

Needle

Thread

Hot Glue Gun

Straw from your broom handle OR several twigs from your trees

Beans or rocks

Putting it together:

You don't have to be a sewing pro to make your scarecrow; you just need to know how to do a simple stitch. Sew up the sleeve ends and neck of shirt. Take one of your old pillows, cut it open, pull out the stuffing and pack it really sight inside the shirt. After, sew up the bottom of the shirt.

Now take the pants. Sew up the end of the pants. Shove stuffing in the legs. Leave the bottom area free and put heavy small rocks or a couple of bags of beans and then fill the rest of the way with stuffing. This will help weigh down your scarecrow. Place the padded shirt on top of the open pants area and sew it together. It's ok if you can see the stitches. It's a scarecrow. He's supposed to look "put together." Imperfections are what make your scarecrow impressive.

Take your sock and place the round object inside. You can use a glue gun to glue the two larger buttons on for the eyes and the small buttons to make a smile. Cut off any unneeded part of sock bottom and sew the sock head onto the shirt.

Cut the straw off your broom (or gather some hay if you happen to have some lying around) and separate into four equal size bunches. Cut a small hole into each arm and pant leg hole (yes I know you just sewed them up, you're just making a small to medium size hole in the center). Put a nice sized dollop of glue into one hole and shove the ends of your bunch of straw into it. Now put some glue around the edges to help keep it in. Repeat for each hole and you've got yourself a Halloween scarecrow.