Welcome to my latest Powertex article. This month the design team was invited to use a step by step article from another design team member as a source of inspiration. I chose to use the Scarecrows in September by Fiona Potter as I loved this little man as soon as I saw him.
However, I wanted to put my own spin on this Powertex project so decided that instead of a scarecrow I would create a scared crow. He would make a fantastic Autumnal centerpiece for the table and I can see him surrounded by a group of ornamental gourds.
Materials Used:
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Wooden base from Powertex UK
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Powertex Universal Medium in Black and Transparent
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Wooden dowel 20cm x 1.5cm
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Foil
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Masking tape
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Twigs
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2 Cardboard tubes from inside of foil
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Waste fabric e.g. gauze
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Hessian
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2 Plastic Eyes – I used 10 mm
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Fabric of choice for clothes and hat
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Powertex Paper Decoration – any colour (optional)
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Powertex Easy Varnish
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Powercolor in Yellow Ochre
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Optional embellishments – I used fallen acorn husks
How to make a Scared Crow Scarecrow
Step 1. Build the armature and head
Attach dowel to base with masking tape. Use foil to build the head, neck and beak onto this. Cover it all with tape, ensuring it is secure.
Step 2. Add the Arms
Gather a small bunch of twigs and secure with masking tape. Secure these to the ends of the dowel with more tape.
Step 3. Build the body
Using foil to fill out the arms. Tape cardboard rolls to wooden base, cut to the required length and fill in the torso with more foil.
Cover everything with tape and coat with a layer of black Powertex.
Step 4. Add the feet
Use 2 more twig bunches and dip strips of gauze in Black Powertex. Wrap tape around the twigs then slide up the tube legs.
Step 5. Cover the head
Coat the hessian in Black Powertex and shape around the head and down the neck. Push the eyes into place.
Step 6. Dress the Crow
Using Transparent Powertex I dipped the fabric as follows:
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a square of fabric for the top – cut a hole in the centre to fit over the head.
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rectangles for the dungaree legs
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smaller rectangles for the dungaree bib
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strips for the shoulder straps
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a length of rope for the belt
DESIGNER TIP – You could choose your fabrics to suit your own rooms colour scheme.
Step 7. Make the Hat
Use foil and masking tape to create the hat. I decorated mine with Paperdecoration dipped in Black Powertex.
https://youtu.be/dd66GIeZKoI
WHY NOT try using hessian to give a straw hat effect?
Step 8. Drybrush the hat
I mixed Powertex Easy Varnish and Yellow Ochre Powercolor to drybrush the hat.
Step 9. Finishing touches
Using Transparent Powertex I added fallen acorn husks to the hat, dungarees and base.
I hope you have as much fun as I did creating your very own scared crow. There is no end to the different types of scarecrows you could make. How about a scaredog or scarecat? What scare animal would you create?
