How to Make a Life-Size Halloween Ghost...

Courtesy of Layla Palmer

Hi Friends,

Create a life-size ghost for Halloween using inexpensive items. Hang it from a tree or place it on your front porch so passers-by will shake in their boots.

Materials Needed:

6-8 packages of cheesecloth
large foam ball
2 small foam balls
paint roller extension pole
2 yardsticks
hammer
2 short large-headed nails
jug of Sta-Flo liquid starch
empty spray bottle
sheet of black felt
scissors
fabric glue
large sewing needle
spool of fishing line

Create Ghost's Framework
Layer a paint roller extension pole and two yardsticks to create a "skeleton" for your ghost. Use a short large-headed nail to attach both yardsticks to the paint roller extension pole, one on top of the other.

Secure Extension Pole
Find a non-windy outdoor spot to temporarily drive the paint roller extension pole into the ground to make draping the ghost easier.

Attach Ghost's Head
Push a large foam ball onto the top of the paint roller extension pole to create the ghost's head.

Attach Ghost's Hands
Attach a small foam ball to the end of each yardstick to act as the ghost's hands.

Drape Cheesecloth
Begin draping large sheets of cheesecloth over the ghost framework (Image 1). Continue draping sheets of cheesecloth back and forth over the ghost until you've achieved the desired effect (Image 2).

Spray Starch
Use a spray bottle filled with liquid starch to saturate the ghost's head, hands and arms, leaving the body starch-free so trailing layers of gauze will blow in the breeze. Allow starch to dry (harden) completely before moving on.

Create Eyes and Mouth
Cut two eyes and a mouth out of black felt (Image 1). Use fabric glue to attach felt eyes and mouth to the ghost's head (Image 2).

Remove Small Foam Balls
Gently remove the two small foam balls from under cheesecloth.

Attach Fishing Line to Arms
Use a large sewing needle to thread a long length of fishing line through the fabric of each hand. Triple-knot the fishing line so the ghost can move freely in the breeze without the threat of blowing away.

Attach Fishing Line to Head
Use a large sewing needle to thread a long length of fishing line through the top of the ghost's head. It's a good idea to drive the needle straight through the foam ball if possible. Triple knot this length of fishing line (Image 1). Finally, tie the ghost to hooks on a porch ceiling or sturdy tree branches in the yard for a spooky Halloween-themed display (Image 2).

There you have friends, your very own Life-Size Halloween Ghost.

Happy Halloween from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne