Scarecrow Ceiling Fan Blade

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It’s officially fall now, so what better time to show you how to make a scarecrow ceiling fan blade. It’s the perfect DIY upcycled fall craft that you can have fun making and express your creativity!

If you’ve seen the old ceiling fan blades while thrifting then you’ve probably wondered what you can make using fan blades. See a list of more fan ideas for holidays and seasons below:

scarecrow ceiling fan blade with surrounding greenery plants

WHAT CAN YOU MAKE WITH OLD FAN BLADES?

There’s lots of fun ideas other than scarecrows, such as, characters with faces, painted scenes, and yard art fan blades. See a list of more fan ideas for holidays and seasons below:

  • ghosts
  • pumpkins
  • turkeys
  • snowmen
  • Santa
  • dragonfly
  • sunflowers
  • welcome sign
  • chalk board

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HOW TO MAKE A SCARECROW CEILING FAN BLADE

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE A SCARECROW

supplies needed to make the scarecrow ceiling fan blade

HOW TO DECORATE A FAN BLADE

STEP 1 – MAKE SCARECROW PATTERNS

Make a pattern for the denim bottom portion of the fan blade. I use white stock paper to trace around the blade. I used the template to trace the pattern on the back side of the denim fabric, then cut out the traced markings.

Cut out a piece of burlap fabric that will wrap around the entire top portion of the fan blade. This eventually will become the hat.

Use hot glue along the edges of the denim fabric pattern and place into position. Leave about an inch at the top of the denim that is not glued down.

I waited to glue the burlap hat on until I was finished painting the face base coat just in case the placement needed to be adjusted.

fan blade paper pattern and denim pattern cut out
burlap fabric ready to wrap around the ceiling fan blade

STEP 2 – PREPARE THE FACE AREA

Fold back the unglued portion of the denim pattern and move the burlap fabric up a bit. Cover those ends with plastic wrap or paper to prevent face paint accidentally get on the fabric. You may need to place something with weight on top of those areas.

Mark with a pencil the face section that will be painted. Two coats will be needed for the face color.

ceiling fan blade marked off in preparation to paint the scarecrow face
the painted skin for the scarecrow

STEP 3 – GLUE HAT AND ADD RAFFIA

Determine the placement of your burlap hat. Turn the fan blade over and hot glue the vertical edges of the burlap together.

Carefully lift up the bottom of the hat and place some hot glue at the temple area. Then bunch some raffia together and stick into the glue. Do the same thing for each side of the neck area.

I lightly stuffed some raffia inside the hat, also. Insert it through the top of the hat. Pull burlap pieces at the top of hat to create a fringy look. Now, hot glue the top of the hat together.

STEP 4 – PAINT THE SCARECROW FACE

Using a pencil, lightly draw facial features onto the face. Paint the features using an artist brush. I shaded the nose a bit, but that’s optional.

the completed painted face for the scarecrow ceiling fan blade project

STEP 5 – PREPARE FABRIC PIECES FOR THE HAT

From the two patterned fabric pieces, you will need to tear long strips that will eventually be tied around the scarecrow neck. Use scissors to snip at the fabric edge and then rip apart along each slit.

I used pinking shears to cut anywhere the fabric looked too perfect including the ends.

Cut about a 1-inch strip from one of the cotton patterned fabrics that will be long enough to surround the burlap hat.

Also, cut a long piece of burlap that will be used to make a pleated hat brim.

IMPORTANT TIP – Cut a burlap piece much, much longer than you think you need so you don’t have to join 2 sections together like I did.

ripped strips to tie around the scarecrow neck
cut out pieces of fabric to be used for the scarecrow hat

STEP 6 – MAKE THE BURLAP HAT BRIM

This is the most tedious part of making the scarecrow. You’re going to be pleating the burlap fabric.

Pull some of the burlap weave from the strip to create a fringe look.

Glue the burlap end down on one side of the hat. Try to get as close to the side as possible.

From the glued down end, start by making your first pleat, glue it in place, make a pleat, glue it in place, and continue like so until you’ve reach the other side of the hat.

IMPORTANT TIP – Make sure your brim is in the correct placement and not too high up like mine was. I ended up having to glue in a second pleated section underneath the top one.

the completed hat portion of the scarecrow ceiling fan blade project

STEP 7 – FRINGE THE RAFFIA

Peel apart each raffia end, peeling up as far as you can. This will create a fringy look.

STEP 8 – ATTACH THE HAT TRIM AND THE SUNFLOWER

Position the patterned fabric trim to cover the top of the pleated brim. Wrap the trim around to the back of the fan blade. Use hot glue on the back side to join the trim.

Pull off the plastic green pieces that are under the sunflower. You may need to snip it off. Use hot glue to attach the flower to the hat.

STEP 9 – MAKE THE NECK TIE

Gather the torn fabric strips together making sure they’ll be at varying lengths. Tie around the neck area and to one side. Use hot glue to attach the tied knot to the neck.

The completed bottom portion of the scarecrow ceiling fan blade DIY project

STEP 10 – MAKE THE BUTTON PATCH

Cut a square or rectangle piece of patterned fabric using pinking shears. Hot glue the patch onto the denim.

I used some leftover burlap pieces that were pulled off at the top of hat to weave through the button holes. I then tied the ends together. Hot glue the buttons on the patch.

Whew, that sure was a long tutorial, but I think the end result is worth all the steps it takes to make my scarecrow ceiling fan blade! Let me know what you think about my upcycled fan blade in the comment section below.

graphic saying pin for later
scarecrow ceiling fan with surrounding greenery plants

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE MY OTHER THRIFT STORE MAKEOVERS:

THRIFT STORE UPCYCLED WOOD PUMPKINS

HOW TO PAINT A THRIFTED GLASS VASE

It’s time for the “Do it Over Designers” group to share our makeovers of items old or unused and making it into something new. These items can be found in closets, barns, thrift stores, yard sales, you name it. Visit the links at the end of my post to see 6 more makeovers from talented bloggers!

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE MORE UPCYCLES AND MAKEOVERS!

graphic for do it over designers group

MEET YOUR “DO IT OVER DESIGNERS”

The Apple Street Cottage ~ The Book Witch

Birdz of a Feather ~ DIY Record Player Stand

Exquisitely Unremarkable ~ Wooden Shelf Makeover

Purple Hues & Me ~ Truck Bed Pumpkin Theme Hanging

Southern Sunflowers ~ Scarecrow Ceiling Fan Blade (that’s me)

Sum of Their Stories ~ How to Upcycle a Cloth Gift Bag to Cover a Store Logo

Tea and Forget-Me-Nots ~ Coffee Table Makeover using Chalk Paint and a Transfer

author of the southern sunflowers blog

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allyson

Allyson is the founder and content creator of Southern Sunflowers. She shares tutorials for DIY crafts and decor on a budget.

45 thoughts on “Scarecrow Ceiling Fan Blade”

  20. Ann

    Your scarecrow is adorable, Allyson and you have a talent for drawing facial features – something I DON’T have! HaHa! Old fans show up at yard sales all the time…I may need to grab one now….

    Reply
  22. Kim

    Oh my goodness!! This is amazing!! I use old fan blades all the time, but I’ve never made a scarecrow. Yours is just darling. I have an empty blade in my kitchen right now, just waiting to be transformed. Guess what I’ll be making? Happy Fall!

    Reply

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