My Mountain Fall Scarecrow in Thrifted Blue: Meet Moxie Mae

After seeing scarecrows tucked into gardens and nursery displays all around Vermont this fall, I started thinking about how fun it would be to create one for our own flower mound here at home.

Meet Moxie Mae, my mountain fall scarecrow, dressed in layers of thrifted blue and standing among the autumn blooms with the mountains behind her. For this month’s Thrifting with the Gals, I’m sharing how a quick trip to the thrift store helped bring her to life—from a blue plaid flannel and worn denim jacket to the brown hat that pulled the whole look together. I knew from the beginning that while Vermont turned its usual shades of autumn around her, Moxie Mae was going to wear blue.

My Fall Scarecrow Idea, From Inspiration to Thrift Store

I really wanted to make a fall scarecrow this year, and I honestly can’t believe I haven’t made one before. I had absolutely no experience to draw from, so I decided not to overthink it. I started with two pieces of wood, crossed them together in the simplest way possible, and figured I’d improvise from there.

But before I started dressing her, I wanted a little inspiration for what she could look like. I asked ChatGPT to create an inspiration image based on my own decorating aesthetic: lots of blue, nothing too traditional, and a scarecrow who looked more like a mountain gal who belonged here in Vermont. This was the image it came up with, and suddenly I could see exactly where I wanted to go with her.

The blues, the denim, the flannel, the hat; it was just what I had pictured. About 15 minutes later, I was out the door and headed straight to my local thrift store to see how close I could get using secondhand finds.

What I Found at the Thrift Store—and What I Paid

I went in with that inspiration photo on my phone, but I certainly didn’t expect to find almost everything I was looking for in one quick trip. Somehow, it was all there: a blue plaid flannel shirt for $6, a denim jacket for $12, and just the right brown hat for $8.

My grand total? $26.

I already had the jeans, scarf, and belt at home, so for just over twenty-five dollars, I had almost everything I needed to dress Moxie Mae from head to toe. And what I loved most was that none of it looked like a fall scarecrow costume. They were simply good thrifted pieces in the blues, denim, and worn-in layers I had pictured for my mountain gal.

With Moxie Mae’s wardrobe gathered, I headed home to see if I could turn that bare wooden cross into the scarecrow I had in mind.

Meet Moxie Mae, My Mountain Fall Scarecrow Layered in Blue

And here she is! Once all those thrifted pieces came together, my simple wooden frame had turned into quite the character. I layered Moxie Mae in blue plaid, faded denim, a soft blue scarf, belted jeans, and that wonderfully worn brown hat, then let bits of straw peek out at her wrists and ankles. I love that she looks like she belongs right here among the flowers without looking like a traditional fall scarecrow at all.

For one last detail, I hung an old canvas market bag over her arm and filled it with hydrangeas and sedum clipped right from the flower mound. I’ll be able to change those out as the garden changes, or simply let them dry right there in the bag as fall moves along.

And then there was her name. Moxie Mae just seemed to fit. Moxie has such a fun New England connection, but I also liked the spirit of the word itself for this slightly sassy mountain gal standing out in her oversized jeans with a bag full of flowers. Mae simply sounded right alongside it.

What I love most, though, is seeing all those thrifted blues against the Vermont mountains. Depending on the time of day, she looks completely different—golden in the first light of morning, colorful against the changing garden, and a little dramatic beneath those big evening skies. I have a feeling Moxie Mae is going to be very happy out here this fall.

Follow along on our Thrifting with the Gals Pinterest board to join our community of vintage lovers sharing favorite thrifted finds, decorating ideas, and inspiration for collected home style.

How I Created Moxie Mae, My Fall Scarecrow, in 5 Simple Steps

1. Start With a Simple Wooden Cross

I used an eight-foot piece of wood trim for the main body and a more substantial three-foot piece of wood for the arms, nailing the two together securely. Because my fall scarecrow would eventually stand in our flower mound, I wanted plenty of height above the flowers and a frame sturdy enough to hold all those layers outdoors.

2. Dress the Scarecrow Frame Before Putting It in the Ground

This was the lesson I learned rather quickly! We initially sank the frame about two feet into the ground, leaving me with a six-foot scarecrow to dress—and at barely 5’1″, that wasn’t happening. I took the frame back down and laid it across two sawhorses, where I could comfortably dress, stuff, and secure everything before putting it back outside.

3. Add the Clothes and Stuff as You Go

I layered on the blue plaid flannel and jean jacket first, then added the wig and thrifted hat, nailing both securely into the top of the wooden frame. For stuffing, I used a bale of straw that I picked up at our local nursery, adding just enough to give Moxie Mae some shape without making her too heavy. I tucked extra straw into the cuffs for hands, then finished with the jeans and belt, using rubber bands at the wrists and ankles and garden wire threaded through the belt loops like hidden suspenders to keep everything in place.

4. Finish With a Few Styling Details

Once the basic outfit was together, I could have some fun with the details. I wrapped a blue scarf around her neck and hung an old canvas bag from one arm, filling it with freshly cut hydrangeas from the garden. An old market bag, basket, or tote would work just as well; use something you don’t mind leaving outdoors and fill it with whatever you have growing nearby.

5. Secure the Frame and Set Your Scarecrow in Place

Once Moxie Mae was completely dressed and ready to go, Steve used a post-hole digger to make a hole about two to three feet deep in our flower mound. We lowered the eight-foot wooden post into the hole, packed the soil firmly back around it, and added a few large rocks around the base for extra support. We get plenty of wind and changing weather here in the Vermont mountains, so I wanted her secure enough to stay put without making anything permanent.

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will earn us commission.

There was no need for concrete since Moxie Mae will only be visiting the garden for the fall. When the season is over, we can simply pull the post back out, fill in the hole, and tuck her away until next year.

Since Moxie Mae is made almost entirely from thrifted pieces, I’m comfortable letting her weather naturally outdoors, although I’ll bring in her flower bag or any loose accessories if particularly rough weather is headed our way.

Create Your Own Thrifted Fall Scarecrow

I hope Moxie Mae inspires you to make a fall scarecrow of your own this year. Head to the thrift store and see what speaks to you: a pair of old jeans or overalls, a plaid shirt, suspenders, a fabulous hat, maybe even a wig, and let your finds decide who your scarecrow becomes. There really are no rules, and I think that’s half the fun.

And if you need a little more inspiration before you start, don’t miss my 51 Funny Scarecrow Ideas from Vermont, along with plenty more fall decorating ideas from our homes here in New England. And be sure to check back—I have a feeling Moxie Mae may have a few surprises in store for Halloween.

Pin it for later!