Scarecrow: Step 1, Pick a Category

As promised on our FB page, we are going to start a list of steps and supplies you should look for in preparation for making a scarecrow for the Harvest Fest in October. Feel like you have a scarecrow-block and can't get any good ideas? Worry not, we will help! Leave comments here and we can brainstorm.

First things first, pick a category for your submission, that will give you some direction.

CATEGORIES:
Children's - open to groups or individuals 12 years old and younger. Adult assistance is allowed for safety, but please let the child or children be creative and make the scarecrow their own. This could be a family of children, or any club or organization that has young children (4H, scouts, etc.).

Traditional - think your classic overalls and flannel shirt with a straw hat.

Fantasy - this can be any kind of fantasy creature or make-believe character, it does not have to look like a scarecrow. You could make a dragon, a unicorn, an elf, a smurf... anything. Think of your kid's favorite cartoon, movie, or book.

Automated - this category can have moving parts, and can be traditional or fantasy themed. You must supply a 100 ft. outdoor extension cord to run power to your space.

These categories are all FREE to enter, and you would be surprised how far you can go. Although the automated is the only one to receive power, the other categories may have lighted elements, but they must be battery-powered, you must supply the batteries, and try to make sure it's weather proof.

SUPPLIES:
Start with the basics, you need longs sleeves and pants to form arms and legs. You may layer skin-toned fabrics for the base layer so that you can put a short-sleeved shirt or a dress on your scarecrow, but you have to form the 'mannequin' to get started.

You should get an old pillow case to stuff the head, or something small and round that is the shape of a head. You will want to find some old worn gloves to make hands and socks to form feet. Shoes are up to you.

I find that the best place to get these clothes, if you don't have the kind you need or the size you want to make your scarecrow at home, is to head to a resale shop or local Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. Salvation Army has weekly deals on their color-tag of the week, and every Tuesday you can get 5 items for $5. They are also a good source for old shoes and boots. Goodwill has a special sale day about twice a month. If you don't have any old garden or work gloves that have been worn out, you can probably still find some cheap garden gloves at the dollar store until the end of summer... they still had some last weekend when I went in to look.

If you are making a fantasy creature, look for old table cloths or curtains with unique patterns that could be used for skin. Depending upon the kind of creature you are making, you may need to do a little sewing. I recommend talking to the ladies at the craft or fabric store. Getting the right kind of needle and some strong thread, and maybe a thimble to save your fingertips, is a good idea!

If you have no ideas but want to create a scarecrow, give us a shout here. If you have an idea but are stumped on where to start, we can help. We want to see a line of scarecrows as far as the eye can see on the Kishwaukee Riverfront Path... people will want to come from miles away every year to see our scarecrow contest and walk our path!