Make a Headless Horseman Figure for Halloween

Create the Base

Start by placing the shoes where you want them on the mdf board. Attach the galvanized floor flange to the mdf board under the right shoe, just in front of the heel, using 3/4" screws (Image 1). Then, using a 1-1/8" drill bit, drill a hole in the bottom of the shoe just in front of the heel (Image 2). Tip: If you encounter a metal shank inside the sole of the shoe, remove it with a pair of pliers. Next, attach the galvanized pipe to the floor flange and slide the shoe over the pipe (Image 3).

Create Legs

Stuff a black trash bag with shredded paper or fiberfill and roll the bag to make a log shape (Image 1). Place the right leg of the dress pants over the pipe (Image 2) then insert the filled trash bag into the pants leg (Image 3). Add or remove filling to reach the appropriate size and shape of the leg. Next, attach the left shoe to the platform accordingly by screwing a wood screw through the inside of the shoe and into the mdf platform (Image 4). Insert another filled trash bag into the left pants leg and temporarily clamp or tape the bag and waist of the pants to the pipe.

Create the Arms

Add the galvanized T to the top of the galvanized pipe (Image 1). Next, attach the 6" pipes to both open sides of the T (Image 2). Untwist 2 wire hangers, straighten them out as much as possible, then twist the ends of both hangers together with at least a 4" overlap (Image 3). Feed the wire through the 6" pipes and T connector with the twisted section of the wire hidden in the middle of the T (Image 4). Next, place a black trash bag inside another black trash bag and roll it up from side to side about half way to create an arm shape with an 'elbow' in the middle. Using tape, attach one end of the trash bag arm to the end of one of the 6" pipes and tape the other end to the wire. Now roll the other side up to the center and secure it in the same way encasing the end of the pipe and the wire. Repeat for the other side (Image 5).

Fill the Torso

Open up a black trash bag and fold it in half lengthwise. Stuff the half bag to create a torso, then tape it closed on the top and bottom. Fold the bag over the top of the pipes and T. On the front, the bag should reach the top of the pants. On the back, it may only come about half way down. Attach the bag's back section to the front with tape.

Add Clothing

Carefully add the shirt to your form by feeding the trash bag arms and wires through the sleeves, then button the shirt closed. Tip: If necessary, wrap tape around the torso portion to make it fit properly. Tuck the shirt into the pants and use a safety pin to temporarily hold them together. Fill in the remaining hip and back side of the horseman with shredded paper, then use a needle and black thread to sew the pants and shirt together around the waistband.

Construct Hands

Roll sheets of tissue paper up tightly and insert into the fingers of the gloves (Image 1). Insert folded tissue paper into the palm and back of the gloves to create the look of a hand. Push the filling on one of the arm wires up into the sleeve and bend the wire where the elbow would be. Insert the glove into the sleeve. Measure it against the wire at the tip of the middle finger and cut the excess wire off (Image 2). Insert the wire into the opening of the glove all the way to the tip of the middle finger. Button the cuff around the glove and temporarily safety pin them together. Next, sew the two together all the way around the cuff with needle and black thread (Image 3). Repeat for the other arm.

Create Candy Sign

Attach a craft wood sign to a sign holder with two small nails or brads (Image 1). Use provided template or freehand the message onto the sign, filling in the letters with felt tip marker or paint (Image 2). Place the sign in the left hand and curl the middle finger with the wire around the sign holder. Wrap the thumb around the back of the sign holder and sew the tip of the thumb to the tip of the middle finger. Sew both of them to the shirt at the bottom of the pocket (Image 3).

Finishing Touches

Make the cape by folding the black fabric in half. Sew the open edges all the way around leaving 3" unsewn on either side at the fold. Use one of the 3" open spaces to push the fabric through to turn the cape inside out. Press the seams flat and attach a safety pin to the ribbon feeding it through one side of the cape's 3" opening and out the other side. Move the ribbon as far away from the top edge as possible then sew a 1/2" seam at the top of the cape to create a collar. Gather the neck together and add cape to the form, tying the ribbon to secure it.
Twist the hand on the right side as if it will hold something. Sew the pinky and ring finger of the right glove to the shirt's placket. Paint a jack-o'-lantern face on a foam pumpkin and attach it to the right hand glove with hot glue or heavy duty double-stick tape. To disguise the stand, pile leaves around the horseman's feet.