Build a unique scarecrow costume with a t-shirt from your closet and a thrifty find.

I shop the thrift stores regularly, searching for anything useful in building a costume. I’ve gathered up quite a collection of vintage clothing, hats, and quality costume pieces that I can weave into characters as needed.

On one trip, I picked up a skirt that can only be described as oodles of brown tulle. Knee-length with multiple, tightly gathered tiers, it is full and fluffy. Commercially made by Nita Smith (no relation), it was to be worn as a petticoat under a square dance skirt. This piece has been in my costume closet for years, and I think this scarecrow will be the perfect showcase for it. 

So, now that I had a skirt for my scarecrow, I dove back into my stash to see what else I could find. I came across a brown conical hat by Jacobson Hats and decided to give it a quick makeover, which you can find the how-to for here.

Next up is a trip to the thrift (or your closet) in search of a t-shirt. I selected an oatmeal-colored tee with long sleeves because the weather here in October can be a bit chilly.

The t-shirt was a bit too plain, so, to give it a little somethin’-somethin’, I designed a crow for the front. It’s a simple silhouette that you can cut and apply in record time. 

So, let’s see how this came together.