Andy Montoya
Cheesecloth ghosts are a fun and easy DIY project that can be made in various sizes and hung up as floating decorations or placed on a flat surface. The basic ingredients for these fabric ghosts are glue and warm water, with the option to make your own biodegradable glue using cornstarch. You can also use Mod Podge, liquid starch, or fabric stiffener. The cheesecloth is then soaked in the glue mixture and draped over a form, such as a balloon or vase, to create the ghost's shape. After drying, the ghost can be removed from the form and decorated with eyes and a mouth cut out of felt or paper. These spooky cheesecloth ghosts are a perfect Halloween craft for both kids and adults!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheesecloth | Cut into squares or strips, with enough excess to pool at the bottom |
| Glue | PVA glue, school glue, Aleene's tacky glue, Elmer's glue, Mod Podge, fabric stiffener, or a mixture of water and cornstarch |
| Water | Used to dilute glue and create a thin, watery consistency |
| Forms | Balloons, paper towel rolls, jars, bottles, bowls, or any creative recyclable item |
| Surface | Plastic cloth or any surface that can be protected with a cover |
| Drying Time | 1-3 days or until completely hard and dry |
| Decorations | Felt faces, dried roses, ribbon, sparkles, bows, felt flowers, beads, glitter, hats, etc. |
| Illumination | LED candle or glow-in-the-dark effect |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting the cheesecloth
When cutting the cheesecloth, it is important to consider the size of the ghost you want to make. For a larger ghost, cut the cheesecloth into a 36-inch by 36-inch square. You will need a vase or container that is about 10–12 inches tall to act as the ghost's body. If you want to make a smaller ghost, cut the cheesecloth into a 22-inch by 22-inch square, and use a smaller vase or container that is about 4 inches tall. You can also cut the cheesecloth into wide strips and then cut the strips in half to create two pieces of cheesecloth per ghost. This will give your ghost more structure.
It is also important to consider the amount of excess cheesecloth you want. You will need enough cheesecloth to easily cover the ghost's body, with some extra fabric to pool at the bottom. This excess fabric will help your ghost stand and give it a flowing, spooky appearance. If you prefer a neater look, you can cut the cheesecloth so that it barely touches the surface, or even cut it short enough so that the fabric doesn't drape at all. This is a good option if you plan to hang your ghost, creating the illusion of a floating spirit.
When cutting the cheesecloth, be sure to cut at least two squares per ghost so that you can layer the fabric. You can add 2-3 layers of cheesecloth per ghost, depending on the desired thickness and opacity. Remember to cut enough cheesecloth to allow for soaking and draping over your form. You don't want to run out of fabric halfway through the project!
Once you have cut your cheesecloth to the desired size and shape, you can move on to the next steps of creating your ghostly figure. Remember to plan ahead and cut carefully, as this will impact the overall look and feel of your finished cheesecloth ghost.
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Preparing the glue mixture
First, decide on the type of glue you want to use. You can opt for a store-bought option like Mod Podge, Elmer's Glue, or any other PVA glue. Alternatively, you can make a homemade glue mixture using cornstarch and water. This biodegradable option is more eco-friendly and allows for easy composting at the end of the ghosts' lifespan.
If you choose to make your own glue mixture, combine cornstarch and water in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. The ratio of cornstarch to water is typically 1:2, but you can adjust it slightly if needed. Heat the mixture on low heat, stirring continuously, until it starts to thicken. Be careful not to overcook the glue, and remember that it will continue to thicken as it cools.
Once your glue mixture has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat and let it cool down. It's important to let it cool enough so you can comfortably work with it, but don't let it cool completely, as it will become too stiff. You can adjust the consistency by adding a bit more water if it becomes too thick.
After preparing your glue mixture, you can move on to the next step of dunking or soaking your cheesecloth in the glue. Remember to work on a protected surface, as the process can get messy!
Creating your own glue mixture for cheesecloth ghosts is a fun and satisfying project. By following these steps, you'll be able to prepare a glue mixture that dries clear and helps your ghosts maintain their shape.
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Soaking the cheesecloth
Firstly, prepare your glue mixture. You can use a variety of adhesives, including PVA glue, school glue, or liquid starch. For a more eco-friendly option, you can create a biodegradable glue by mixing cornstarch and water. Combine one part cornstarch with two parts water in a sauce pan and heat it over low heat until it thickens. Be careful not to overcook the mixture. Alternatively, you can use equal parts glue and water or adjust the ratio to achieve the desired consistency. If you're using liquid starch, dilute it with a small amount of water to make it easier to work with.
Once you have your glue mixture ready, cut your cheesecloth into the desired size and shape. You can cut it into wide strips or squares, depending on the size and style of your ghost. Remember to cut enough pieces to create multiple layers for added strength.
Now it's time to soak the cheesecloth in the glue mixture. Completely submerge each piece of cheesecloth in the glue, ensuring it is thoroughly saturated. For smaller ghosts, you may opt to dunk the entire piece, while for larger ones, you might want to leave the bottom flowy by avoiding full saturation. Wring out the excess glue, especially if you're creating a smaller ghost with a more defined shape.
After soaking and wringing out the cheesecloth, you can move on to shaping your ghost. Gently drape the soaked cheesecloth over your chosen form, such as a balloon, vase, or jar. Smooth out any wrinkles and ensure that the cheesecloth touches the flat surface on at least three sides to facilitate drying and stability. If you want your ghost to have arms, you can add wooden skewers at shorter heights and cover them with plastic wrap.
The final step is to let your ghost dry completely. Depending on the thickness of your fabric and the humidity, this process can take anywhere from overnight to a few days. Be patient, as the drying time is crucial to achieving a sturdy ghost that can stand on its own.
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Drape and dry
Now that you have dunked your cheesecloth in the glue mixture, it's time to drape it over the ghost structure. If you are making a hanging ghost, you can cut the cheesecloth to a length that allows it to hang without touching the ground. However, if you want your ghost to stand, ensure there is some excess fabric that pools at the bottom to help it stand upright.
Smooth out the cheesecloth, especially at the head, and work in some ghostly creases for a spooky effect. It is important to ensure that the cheesecloth touches the flat work surface on at least three sides. This step is crucial to the stability of your ghost; without it, your ghost will not stand once the inner form is removed.
Let the ghosts dry for 2-3 days, or until they are hard and ready to be handled. The drying time may vary depending on humidity and the amount of glue used. You can speed up the drying process by using a hairdryer or placing them in a well-ventilated area.
Once dry, carefully remove the inner form by popping the balloon or gently pulling out the vase or jar. Stand up your ghost to ensure it is stable. If it wobbles, you can add some glue to the bottom to weigh it down.
Your ghost is now ready for decoration! Get creative with felt faces, dried flowers, ribbons, sparkles, or any other embellishments you desire. You can also leave it as it is for a simple and elegant ghostly figure.
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Decorating the ghost
Decorating your ghost is a fun and creative process. You can cut out eyes and a mouth from scrap fabric or felt, or stick them on with glue. You can also use paper, or even vinyl cut-outs if you have a Cricut machine. If you want to give your ghost a more colourful look, you could use coloured felt for the eyes and mouth, or even add a hat, bows, flowers, beads, glitter, or sparkles.
You can also play around with the shape of the eyes and mouth to create different expressions on your ghost's face. If you want to give your ghost arms, you can use wire or wooden skewers. You can also add an LED candle underneath your ghost to make it look even spookier.
If you want your ghost to glow in the dark, you can follow a special recipe for the glue mixture. You can also make your ghost compostable by using a cornstarch and water mixture for the glue. This is a great option if you want to compost your ghost at the end of its lifespan.
When decorating your ghost, remember to let your creativity flow and have fun with the process. You can make your ghost as simple or as elaborate as you like.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cheesecloth, glue, water, a vase or a balloon, and a flat surface to dry your ghost on. Cut your cheesecloth into squares, soak it in a glue and water mixture, and then drape it over your vase or balloon. Leave it to dry for at least a day, and then pop the balloon or remove the cloth from the vase.
Depending on humidity and the amount of glue in the cheesecloth, the ghosts may take 1-3 days to dry completely.
You can use any type of liquid glue, such as Mod Podge, Elmer's Glue, or fabric stiffener. You can also make your own biodegradable glue using cornstarch and water.
To make a floating cheesecloth ghost, use a jar that is taller than the height of your fabric when it drapes over the jar. You can also add wire or wooden skewers to act as arms.
