DIY Cheesecloth Ghosts
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I’ve been dying to try making these adorable cheesecloth ghosts, and I finally did it! Let me tell you, this project is worth all the hype because these little ghosts turned out so stinkin’ cute. What’s even better is that they’re super affordable to make. I got most of the items from the Dollar Store (or already had them), believe it or not!
When I placed some LED lights under them and saw them glow, they looked like something from a fancy gift shop. It’s like my little ghost squad is lighting up the place!
Follow this tutorial to make your cheesecloth ghosts!
Things You’ll Need
- Cheesecloth
- Mod Podge Matte
- Wood Skewers
- Ghost Form (I used vases, wood skewers, and styrofoam balls, but I recommend balloons for the head part)
- Bowl for mixing
- Drop Cloth/Plastic Sheet/Wax Paper (to contain the mess)
- Scissors
- Hot Glue Gun
- Black Felt (for the eyes)
- LED candles or fairy lights
How to Make Your Ghost Form
First, grab a couple of cheap vases from the Dollar Store for the ghost body (or use what you already have). Then, get some Styrofoam balls and tape them to the top of the vase to create the ghost heads. But be warned: trying to peel dried cheesecloth from a Styrofoam ball is trickier than getting a ghost to sit still, so maybe consider using a balloon that you can pop at the end.
To give your ghosts some personality, use a wood skewer taped to the body of the vase as the “arms.”
How to Make Cheesecloth Ghosts
How to Make DIY Cheesecloth Ghosts for Halloween.
Total time: 1 day
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Make the Mod Podge Mixture
First, make the mixture by pouring Mod Podge into a bowl and mixing it with some water. You want it to be runny enough to coat the cheesecloth but not too thin.
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Dip Cheesecloth in Mixture
Lay down a drop cloth or wax paper to protect your work surface. Next, dip your cheesecloth in the Mod-Podge mixture and wring it out. Carefully unfold it and lay it on top of your ghost forms, using several layers to make it more bulky and sturdy. Let the cheesecloth gather at the bottom to make the ghosts stand up at the end.
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Let Ghosts Dry and Then Peel Off
Let your cheesecloth ghosts dry overnight. Once they’re fully dry, carefully peel them off the form. If using balloons, pop them! The ghosts should stand up on their own at this point. If there is any excess at the bottom or anything that doesn’t look right, you can cut it off at this point.
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Glue on Felt Eyes
Get creative and cut some eyes and a mouth out of black felt. Attach them to your ghosts using hot glue. They’re starting to look so cute!
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Add Lights
Lastly, add LED tealights or fairy lights underneath to bring your ghosts to life. You’re sure to love the result!
Here’s how mine turned out – they look spooktacular!
Frequently Asked Questions
When I started this project, I had many questions. I’m ready to share what I’ve learned now that I’ve completed it!
How much Cheesecloth do I need, and can I use more than one layer?
I recommend purchasing at least 4 yards of cheesecloth, if not more. Towards the end, I had very little left, and additional layers would have been helpful. So, yes, use layers! I discovered that once I soaked the cheesecloth in the Mod Podge mixture, it became difficult to unroll, and it broke apart a bit, so having extra cheesecloth would be beneficial.
Do these really stand up on their own?
Yes, they do. The cheesecloth dries into a very hard form! With that being said, they are still fragile ghosts, so don’t be too rough with them.
What do I use for lights?
I love these little tealights from Amazon. I replace the batteries every so often, but they work like a charm. Two or three of these under each ghost lights them up perfectly! You can also use fairy lights.
What kind of Mod Podge? There are several different types.
You are looking for the Mod Podge Sealer, Glue, and Finish in the yellow bottle. I used Matte over the gloss.
How would I store these after Halloween?
I’m going to wrap them carefully in a plastic bag and store them upright in the closet where they won’t get smushed. If you’re not careful, they will dent and get crushed.
Do I have to use Mod Podge?
I’ve seen other tutorials use Elmer’s glue or liquid starch, but I can’t speak to those tutorials because I haven’t tried them personally. Mod Podge was easy to use, and I already had it on hand.
Can I use these ghosts outdoors?
While I haven’t tested this myself, I will say no. These are sturdy but fragile, and I’m not sure the ghosts would enjoy being exposed to the elements.
I hope this helps! If you have any additional comments, leave them below.
Enjoy making your own Cheesecloth Ghosts!