Cheesecloth ghosts are all the rage this year, probably because a certain well known company (ahem, Pottery Barn) sold a version of them this Halloween (for a pretty penny). They aren’t that original though, I made these spooky creations with my grandmother when I was a child. As requested by many of my instragram (@craftyvanessa) followers, here’s my version on how to make cheesecloth ghosts for Halloween.
On a side note, I totally risked my life snapping those hanging ghost photos for you. You see, we have a bat living in our light fixture in our front porch. Yes, I said A BAT! Our bug guy (who is also apparently a bat expert) noticed it yesterday and told us that most of the homes in our area have bats and that they are fairly harmless. I don’t care how harmless they are, I didn’t sign up for BATS! Well, technically 1 bat and it’s a tiny baby bat. A tiny baby bat that my husband won’t let me get rid of because he has some weird childhood fondness of bats related to batman. So, I was outside taking photos of the ghosts as the sun was setting and what do I see? The tiny harmless baby bat flying out of our light fixture. I’m pretty sure the whole entire neighborhood heard me scream and my husband comes running out with a bat (as in a baseball bat) in hand ready to kill whatever is attacking me…unless it’s a bat (as in an ugly flying blood sucking creature), of course. Tis the life of a blogger…with a bat living in her light fixture.
Enjoy this cheesecloth ghost tutorial that I risked my life for. If you don’t have a ton of time, check out Craft Crazy Mom’s 5 minute cheesecloth ghost tutorial for a quicker and just as cute version. Also, if anyone knows how to get rid of bats, give me a call.
Ingredients
Cheesecloth
Fabric Stiffener
Balloons (1 per ghost)
20 oz Tall Cups (3 per ghost)
Craft Glue or Hot Glue
Black Felt
Scissors
Tape
Foam Brush
Fishing Line
Directions
Step 1: Tape 3 cups and a balloon together (per ghost) as shown in the photo below.
Step 2: Cut cheesecloth into 50 x 50 inch squares (2 per ghost). Unfold cheesecloth and place in a bowl. Pour fabric stiffener over cheesecloth and mix until every inch is covered in it. Make sure to use enough fabric stiffener so it is fully wet.
Step 3: Unfold the cheesecloth and drape over the cups and balloon. Repeat with an additional layer of cheesecloth. Remember, however you drape it is how it will dry. I left the ends of my cheesecloth messy and stringy on purpose. For extra stiffness and durability, take a foam brush and paint a layer of fabric stiffener over the balloon/head part of the ghost. Allow to dry.
Step 4: Pop and remove the balloon/cups from the ghost. Cut 2 ovals (per ghost) out of black felt and attach to the ghost using craft glue or hot glue.
Step 5: Tie a piece of fishing line to the ghost and hang.
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Cute! I saw those ghosts in the PBK catalog and scoffed at their price.
Rocky Mountain Mama recently posted..Lila’s Nursery
Right?! So cheap to make and dare I say, I like mine better 😉
I really like the way you did this. I wish I had seen this before this but I will keep it in mine till next year. Thanks for the post.
Thanks Shirley 🙂
cute