Button, zip or close the shirt and pants where necessary, tie ends of shirt arms and pant legs closed with string or rope. Stuff full with bags or newspaper. Use safety pins to attach shirt to pants at waist.

Stuff pillowcase into size and shape of a face. Use a permanent marker for facial features or glue cut out pieces of felt for the eyes and mouth. Tuck into the neck opening of shirt, and secure with safety pins. Pin on hat.

Stuff a little straw or raffia into the neck opening edges, and the arm and leg openings. Glue in place if necessary.

Now that you have the basic scarecrow in place, consider the ways you can make it personal! For years my kids each made one of themselves, and we had a whole family of scarecrows (our family!) lining the fence. You can vary the type of clothes from an old fashioned farmer, to a clown, to a princess complete with tutu...what ever works for your family. Insert flexible wire into the arms and legs before you pin the body together for a pose able scarecrow. Make little kid scarecrows, or a scarecrow to remind you of a dear friend or family member.

Showcase your scarecrows on the front porch, sitting in a chair you can see from the back window, standing watch over your entryway, or perched in a windowbox, dangling his legs from the second story.

Tip: Wire or tie your scarecrow down if you live in an area where it can be windy.

Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant and is the home decorating expert for LifetimeTV.com. Visit her for more home and garden ideas at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com, http://www.TheGardenGlove.com and http://www.TheBudgetChef.com .

Also visit her at http://www.Women-on-the-Net.com where any woman can learn to make money on the internet!