A little cheesecloth and a round form can become a floating ghost with soft, uneven folds. Try a temporary display on a sheltered porch, or group a few indoors at different heights for a playful Halloween scene.
Choose the fabric and form first, then decide whether you prefer loose folds or a more structured shape.
Cheap Halloween Decor That Doesn’t Look Cheap has more ideas for keeping a small display simple.
What cheesecloth actually is, and why the grade matters
Cheesecloth is a woven cotton fabric sold in different weave grades. University of California Master Food Preservers describes grade 10 as more open and grade 90 as more closely woven. Grade 90 is commonly listed as 44 by 36 mesh; the grade number does not mean 90 threads per inch. J-TEX’s grade chart shows the same mesh values. Weave helps you compare cloth, but test how the actual piece drapes over your form.
- Loose, open weave. Its airy texture lets light through and gives a ghost a soft, wispy outline.
- Tight, fine weave. Has a more substantial look and drape than a loose weave. Try it for a small tabletop ghost.
The fabric card below offers one option. Measure the size you need and check the current listing’s material, weave, dimensions and care instructions. The actual cloth will shape the finished look.
Choose what you drape it over
Start with a reusable round form you already have, if it suits the shape.
| Form | Best for | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Foam ball, 4 to 6 inches | A small ghost with a rounded head | Stays inside the cloth |
| Wire coat hanger, bent into a loop | Small hanging ghosts | Takes a little shaping |
Try different sizes of round forms to make each ghost in a group look a little different.
How to make a cheesecloth ghost, start to finish
Start with one ghost and adjust its shape before making a group.
- Test the length before cutting. Drape a tape measure over the form to the hem you want, allowing enough for the attachment.
- Choose loose or stiffened. For a loose ghost, drape dry cloth over a lightweight round head that stays inside the fabric. For a more structured shape, follow the stiffener’s directions.
- Drape it over the form, off-center, and arrange the folds. For a stiffened ghost, shape the folds while the cloth is damp.
- Pull a few folds outward so they stand away from the body. Depth is what catches light later.
- Let a stiffened ghost dry completely according to the product directions; humidity and thickness affect the time. A loose ghost does not need this step.
- Add the face and hanging point. Remove the temporary form from a stiffened ghost. For a loose ghost, keep its lightweight head in place and attach the hanging point. Use marker or felt for the face.
Cornstarch, white glue, or fabric stiffener
Start with loose cloth if that gives you the shape you want. Stiffening is an optional indoor craft step, and the result depends on the fabric, product and application.
- Homemade cornstarch or school-glue mixtures: test your chosen recipe on a small offcut before treating a whole piece. Results vary with the cloth and mixture.
- Commercial fabric stiffener: follow the chosen product’s directions for application and drying. Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid is one example to compare; check the current instructions for the product you use.
Cloth to check before ordering
Use the cloth you have if it suits the project. If you need more, check the fabric card’s current listing for material and size.
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Where to display the ghosts
Leave space between a group of ghosts so each silhouette can be seen, and try different heights for a more natural arrangement.
For a temporary outdoor display, choose a sheltered porch or yard spot. Plaid’s ghost project and Aleene’s ghost ideas show ways to make and hang the craft. Check the instructions for your own fabric and any stiffener, and bring the ghosts indoors before rain or strong wind.
An indoor window or fully enclosed porch gives the folds a backdrop when you want to keep the display inside.
Choose the light color
Warm white light gives cream cloth a soft glow. Purple, green and cooler white create different moods, so try a small sample of fabric in the light before arranging the whole display. For more inspiration, see The Lit Ghost Look.
The mistakes that make a cheesecloth ghost look like a bedsheet
- Hanging it flat against a wall or a door. The folds may be less visible than they are with space around the ghost.
- Skipping the movement test. Check the full sweep of the cloth, whichever attachment you use, and keep it out of routes people use.
- Cutting the cloth too short. Leave enough length for the shape you want and trim after testing the drape.
- Choosing eye placement. Try different spacing: close-set eyes can feel subtle, while wider spacing gives a more playful expression.
- Choosing color without testing it. Try the actual white or cream cloth in the light you plan to use.
- A crowded grouping. Give each ghost enough space to move without catching on the others.
Weather, storage, and keeping them for next year
After Halloween, follow the cloth and stiffener care instructions and put the dry ghosts away for next year. The Canadian Conservation Institute’s textile-care guide offers general storage ideas.
Related
- Cheap Halloween Decor That Doesn’t Look Cheap shares budget decorating ideas.
- Halloween Yard Decor That Works After Dark explores outdoor Halloween lighting.
- Halloween Front Porch Decor: The Lit Ghost Look offers ideas for a ghost-themed porch.
- DIY Halloween decor uses things you already own.
