Do it yourself scarecrow costume ideas 2024

Gathering Your Materials

• Overalls or jeans
• Plaid or flannel shirt
• Straw hat
• Raffia or straw
• Fabric scraps for patches
• Safety pins or hot glue gun
• Rope or twine
• Makeup (face paint, eyeliner, blush)
• Boots or comfortable shoes
• Optional: Sunflowers or fall leaves for decoration

Creating the Base Outfit

1. Start with the overalls or jeans:

1. If using overalls, you're already halfway there. For jeans, pair them with a plaid or flannel shirt. The key is to create a farmhand look that's perfect for a scarecrow.

2. Add patches:

1. Cut fabric scraps into various shapes and sizes. Attach these to your overalls or jeans using safety pins or a hot glue gun. This adds a worn, patched-together look typical of scarecrows.

3. Prepare the shirt:

1. If your shirt is too neat, consider distressing it slightly. You can fray the edges of the sleeves or collar, or add a few small tears for an authentic, weathered appearance.

4. Create a rope belt:

1. If wearing jeans, use a piece of rope or twine as a belt. This adds to the rustic charm of the costume.

Adding Straw Details

1. Stuff the pockets:

1. Fill the pockets of your overalls or jeans with raffia or straw. Let some stick out for a messy, stuffed look.

2. Attach straw to clothing:

1. Use safety pins or hot glue to attach small bundles of straw or raffia to various parts of your outfit. Focus on areas like the collar, cuffs, and around the waist.

3. Create cuffs:

1. For a more elaborate look, create straw cuffs for your wrists and ankles. Tie bundles of straw together with twine and attach them to your costume.

Crafting the Hat

1. Choose your hat:

1. A straw hat is ideal, but if you can't find one, a floppy fabric hat can work too.

2. Distress the hat:

1. To give your hat a worn look, you can gently fray the edges or even carefully burn small areas (adult supervision required).

3. Add straw:

1. Attach small bundles of straw or raffia to the hat, letting them stick out from under the brim and on top.

4. Optional decoration:

1. Consider adding a sunflower or some artificial fall leaves to your hat for extra flair.

Scarecrow Makeup

1. Base:

1. Start with a light foundation or face paint to create an even base.

2. Cheeks:

1. Apply bright blush in circular motions on the apples of your cheeks for a doll-like appearance.

3. Nose:

1. Use face paint or eyeliner to draw a small triangle on the tip of your nose.

4. Stitches:

1. Draw stitches on either side of your mouth using black eyeliner or face paint. You can also add stitches on other parts of your face for a more dramatic look.

5. Optional details:

1. For a more elaborate design, consider adding patches of different colors to your face, or drawing straw-like lines radiating from your eyes.

Finishing Touches

1. Hair:

1. If you have long hair, consider braiding it into pigtails for a classic scarecrow look. For short hair, you could attach some raffia to your hat to create the illusion of straw hair.

2. Footwear:

1. Boots are ideal for a scarecrow costume, but any comfortable shoes will work. Consider stuffing some straw into the tops of your boots for added effect.

3. Accessories:

1. You could carry a small bucket or basket filled with artificial fall leaves or sunflowers. A fake crow perched on your shoulder or hat can also be a fun addition.

Variations on the Classic Scarecrow

1. Glamorous Scarecrow:

1. Use glittery makeup and add some sparkly accessories to your costume for a more glamorous look.

2. Scary Scarecrow:

1. For a Halloween twist, use darker makeup and add some fake blood or wounds to create a spooky scarecrow.

3. Wizard of Oz Scarecrow:

1. Base your costume on the beloved character from the classic film. Use more muted colors and focus on recreating his specific look.

4. Tutu Scarecrow:

1. For a cute twist, especially for children, incorporate a tutu into the costume. Use a neutral-colored tutu and attach pieces of raffia and sunflowers to it.

Tips for a Successful Scarecrow Costume

1. Comfort is key:

1. Ensure that your costume is comfortable to wear for extended periods. Avoid using too much itchy straw directly against your skin.

2. Safety first:

1. If using a hot glue gun, be careful to avoid burns. When attaching straw or accessories, make sure they're secure and won't fall off easily.

3. Weather considerations:

1. If you'll be wearing your costume outdoors, consider the weather. You might need to layer up underneath or choose a lighter shirt if it's warm.

4. Group costume potential:

1. Scarecrow costumes work great for couples, families, or groups. Everyone can put their own spin on the basic concept.

5. Last-minute friendly:

1. One of the best things about a scarecrow costume is that it can be put together quickly if needed. Don't stress if you're short on time – even a simple version can look great.