Children will enjoy making this friendly scarecrow and dressing it up in a variety of their old clothes.

1

Make head Cut a piece of hessian so it measures 40x55cm. With right sides facing, fold the fabric in half along the longest edge. Next stitch along it 1·5cm from the raw edges.

2

Stuff head Turn the hessian right side out. Then tie a piece of string around the top. Knot tightly. Gently pull strands of the hessian to fray the edge. Stuff with straw until full.

3

Paint on face Use a paintbrush to draw the eyes and mouth on the front of the hessian to make the scarecrow’s face. Allow time for the paint to dry thoroughly.

4

Make frame Lay the longer wooden dowelling on the ground. Put the shorter one across it, about 40cm from top, to form a cross shape. Secure it with string to hold the dowelling in place.

5

Fix frame in ground Push the dowelling into the earth, you may need to dig a hole. Pat the ground firmly round the base. Place scarecrow’s head over it and secure base with string.

6

Dress scarecrow Unbutton the shirt and put it on the scarecrow. Tightly tie a length of string around the bottom. This will prevent the straw stuffing from falling out of the shirt.

7

Stuff with straw Form the scarecrow’s shape by stuffing the shirt with straw in the arms and body to pad out the fabric. Continue to fill the shirt until the body is nice and plump.

8

Finish off Put dungarees on the scarecrow – cut a hole in the seat, ease the dowelling out of the ground, thread it through hole, put firmly back. Stuff the legs with more straw. Put hat on head to finish.

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