To make the Scarecrow, you will need: a muslin bag or pillowcase large enough to make the head; something to stuff the head with (rags, straw, crumpled newspaper, crumpled plastic bags, etc); a long, narrow, but sturdy piece of wood, dowel, or broomhandle at least 5 feet long and a similar piece about two feet long; paint and small paintbrush; some string or cord; an old shirt; and weeds, twigs, or straw.
What is Halloween without a menacing Scarecrow? Uncialle's red-eyed fellow stands tall under the locust tree at the top of the driveway. Beside him leans a wicked and very real pitchfork, so beware! Uncialle's grandfather used this sharp-tined pitchfork for many years, as his family put up wild hay to keep the horses and milk cow for the winter.
The Scarecrow is so easy to make that you may not even need to look at the directions, but in case you do, here they are. First, nail or tie the short stick crosswise to the tall stick, at about 8 inches from one end, to form the Scarecrow's shoulders. Then take your bag or pillowcase and stuff one corner to make the head. Since the Scarecrow is most effective after dark, light or white bags work best. Tie this corner off, not too tightly, at the "neck." You now have a pointy-headed fellow! With paint (Uncialle uses latex enamel), carefully brush on his features. Uncialle's scarecrows usually end up with Jack o' Lanternlike faces. Allow the paint to dry for at least an hour before you assemble the Scarecrow.
Meanwhile, put the old shirt on the two-stick Scarecrow body and button it up. Tie the shirt to the stick near its hem so you have a "body" to stuff. then take handfuls of weeds, grasses, straw, shrub cuttings, twigs -- whatever you have -- and stuff the shirt. Be sure to let the stalks stick out generously at the neck and out both arms of the shirt. Now carefully untie the string at the bottom of the head, place the head over the top of the long stick at the neck, snug down firmly, and re-tie the neck string with the stick now inside. Lean the Scarecrow against a tree, tie him to a gatepost or fence, or lean him against your house beside the door. This fellow is less elaborate than some Uncialle has seen, but his evil face makes him very spooky indeed.
How to Haunt: Making A Halloween Terrarium
Uncialle's Fly-by-Night Tips for Fast Haunting
Strange Things of the Real Universe
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