Front YardNo. 6884 · The 2026 edition
How to Make a Scarecrow for Festive Fall Decor
Transform your autumn yard into a whimsical scene with this DIY scarecrow project. Using simple materials like an old shirt, a wooden post, and a burlap sack, you can craft a charming fall decoration
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This guide walks you through building a rustic scarecrow from scratch. You will cut a 10-foot post into 4-foot and 6-foot sections to create a cross frame, anchor it in a 1-foot deep hole, and dress it with an old shirt and pants stuffed with hay. The head is crafted from a 10-by-14-inch burlap sack featuring black button eyes and painted facial features, topped with a straw hat and bandana for a festive finish.
You'll need
Directions
- First, construct the skeleton by cutting your 10-foot wooden pole into two sections: one measuring 4 feet and another measuring 6 feet. Arrange these pieces into a cross, positioning the 6-foot segment upright and the 4-foot segment across it so that the horizontal piece sits roughly 8 inches down from the top of the vertical one. Fasten the intersection point by driving a screw through both boards.
- Next, prepare the scarecrow's clothing. Locate a pair of loose-fitting trousers and cut an opening just beneath the waistband. Thread the lower portion of your wooden frame through this new hole and anchor the structure outdoors by digging a 1-foot deep trench, setting the pole inside, and packing the soil back around it. After the frame is stable, drape a vintage button-down shirt over the crossbar.
- With the frame anchored and dressed, thread two lengths of twine through the trouser belt loops and tie them to the horizontal wood, creating a suspender effect that rests slightly above the shirt hem. Conceal the twine beneath the shirt fabric. Fasten the shirt and trousers, then tuck the shirt into the pants. Fill the garments with hay, allowing some to protrude from the leg and arm openings to resemble limbs.
- For the head, spread a 10-by-14-inch burlap sack flat with the sealed end facing down. Stitch two large black buttons approximately 5 inches down from the closed edge to serve as eyes. Paint a triangular nose and mouth below the buttons using black fabric paint. After the ink dries, fill the sack with straw and loosely knot the open end. Slide this over the top of the vertical post and wrap twine around it to fix it in place.
- Finish the look with final touches. Apply hot glue to attach loose straw to the burlap head for hair, then glue a straw hat on top. Complete the ensemble by wrapping a bandana around the neck.
