Cheesecloth Ghosts: Spooky Floating Halloween Decor
Stiffened cheesecloth dries into airy, free-standing ghosts that look eerie in a window or glowing over an LED light.
By the HotsBuzz team ·
- Skill levelEasy
- Time45 minutes active, plus 24 hours drying
- Budget$10-$20
- Steps7
Cheesecloth ghosts are the kind of Halloween decor that looks a lot spookier than the effort involved. Thin gauze is soaked in stiffener, draped over a simple form and left to dry, and once you pull the form away the ghost stands on its own with wispy, floating edges.
They look great on a porch table, along a mantel or in a window at dusk. Set one over a battery LED light and it becomes a soft glowing ghost luminary.
Plan this over two days: about 45 minutes of hands-on work, then a full day for drying.
Materials & tools
Tick things off as you gather them. We’ll remember your list on this device.
You’ll need
Tools
Step-by-step instructions
Build the form
Tape the styrofoam ball or balloon to the top of the bottle to make a head. For ghosts with arms, tape a 10-inch piece of rolled foil or a bent wire hanger across the neck. Wrap the whole form in plastic wrap or foil so the cheesecloth will not stick to it.
Cut the cheesecloth
Unfold the cheesecloth and cut a piece about 24 x 24 inches per ghost, using one or two layers. Pull a few threads loose along the edges and fray them with your fingers for a tattered, ghostly hem.
Soak it
Pour the stiffener or glue mixture into a tray. Wearing gloves, submerge the cheesecloth and work the liquid in until fully saturated, then squeeze out the excess gently. It should be wet but not dripping.
Drape the ghost
Center the cloth over the head and let it fall around the form. Pull and pinch the fabric to create folds and let the hem flare out on the table. Lift sections at the arms so they look like they are reaching. If the fabric slides off, pin it to a styrofoam head with a couple of straight pins until it starts to set.
Let it dry completely
Leave it untouched for at least 24 hours in a warm, dry room, out of reach of curious kids and pets. A fan speeds things up. The cloth should feel stiff and papery, with no cool damp spots.
Trim and shape the hem
Once dry, snip away any stiff clumps or stray threads along the hem with scissors. Gently bend the lower edges outward so the ghost sits level and does not wobble. If a section looks too solid, carefully pull a few threads to open it up.
Remove the form and add a face
Gently slide the bottle and ball out from underneath; if the plastic wrap sticks, peel it away from the inside. Cut ovals for eyes and a long open mouth from black felt and glue them on. Tilting the eyes slightly makes the expression look surprised or sad instead of plain.
Tips for success
- Cheesecloth is very flammable. Use only battery LED lights inside or near your ghosts, never real candles.
- Glue mixture is messy and slow to rinse from sinks. Mix it in a disposable container and wipe drips while they are wet.
- If your ghost slumps after removing the form, brush on another coat of stiffener and let it dry again over the form.
- Keep indoor ghosts out of rain and humid spots. Moisture softens the stiffener and they can sag.
- Expect about $10-$20 for two or three ghosts, depending on whether you buy fabric stiffener or mix your own glue solution.
Make it your own
Glowing ghost luminaries
Use a tall glass jar as the form, leave it in place and set a battery LED tea light or a small fairy light string inside. The light makes the whole ghost glow from within.
Mini ghost family
Use small spice bottles and 2-inch styrofoam balls to make tiny ghosts for a shelf or a tablescape.
Hanging ghosts
Skip the bottle and drape the cloth over just a balloon on a cup. Once dry, pop the balloon, add a fishing-line loop and hang the ghosts from a porch ceiling.
Tinted ghosts
Add a few drops of glow-in-the-dark paint or a pale gray acrylic to the stiffener for ghosts with a slightly aged, smoky look.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use plain glue instead of fabric stiffener for cheesecloth ghosts?
Yes. A 50/50 mix of white school glue and water works well and costs less. Commercial stiffener tends to dry a little firmer and clearer, which helps larger ghosts hold their shape.
Can cheesecloth ghosts go outside?
Only in a covered spot. Rain will soften them, and wind can tip them over, so a porch table under a roof is ideal. Weigh the base with a few pebbles if needed, or set a small jar of sand inside the ghost.
How do I store them?
Stuff each ghost loosely with tissue so it keeps its shape, and store it in a box in a dry place without anything stacked on top.
