In this design, the rosy cheeks give it a bashful charm, the crooked smile looks ready to tell secrets from the cornfield, and the raffia hair sticks out playfully as though it’s been tussled by autumn wind.
The patchwork blocks behind it make the whole piece look like it belongs in a farmhouse kitchen, stitched with love from leftover scraps.
Plus, add the little “Happy Fall” tag, and suddenly it feels like this scarecrow is greeting everyone who passes by with a wink.
Materials Needed
- 1 plain pillow form (14”×14” or 16”×16”)
- Brown cotton or burlap fabric (½ yard for pillow cover)
- Scrap fabric in plaid and earthy tones (6”×6” pieces each)
- Felt sheets: brown (hat), orange (nose), white (face), tan or yellow (star accent)
- Raffia strands or straw ribbon (12-15” length)
- Black buttons (2 small, about ½”)
- Embroidery thread or black yarn
- Blush or pink fabric paint (optional)
- Hot glue gun or fabric glue
- Paper tag (2”×3”) and black marker
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Start by covering your pillow form with the brown fabric. Then sew or glue edges carefully so the cover fits snug but smooth.
Step 2: Arrange your scrap fabrics into a patchwork pattern, mixing plaids, solids, and earthy shades. You can glue or sew them down as a background for the scarecrow face.
Step 3: Cut a round circle of white felt for the face. Glue it to the center, then add a triangular orange felt nose and two black button eyes.
Step 4: Stitch a curved smile with embroidery thread, keeping it loose and rustic. If you’d like more charm, dab blush or pink fabric paint on the cheeks for a rosy effect.
Step 5: Trim raffia strands to about 4-5″ each and glue them above the face to look like straw hair. Overlap layers so it looks full.
Step 6: Cut a hat shape from brown felt and place it over the raffia, letting the straw peek out. Next, add a star accent for a playful detail.
Step 7: Finish by attaching a small paper tag with “Happy Fall” written on it. Pin or glue it to the corner for a farmhouse touch.
Tips:
I discovered that uneven, scrappy edges made my version feel more authentic. If you want a softer look, stuff the pillow a little extra so it feels plump and huggable.