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Halloween is right around the corner! My kids love to help me decorate the house. Cheesecloth ghosts are not a new craft, but we decided to update that craft with a different material and a less messy tutorial. This Spooky Floating Tulle Ghost is so easy and adorable you simply can’t help but love it. One special ingredient makes these SUPER easy! Tulle material is super sheer and translucent, making it PERFECT for creating a ghost. You will love making these with your kids, grandkids or just for yourself. Will it be a tabletop centerpiece? Or part of a porch display? Add lights to make the ghost glow!
Tulle Ghost
Traditionally, liquid starch is used for creating ghosts, but when you use Tulle, the spray starch works great! Spray starch is SO much easier and less messy. Keep in mind you will need to set aside time for the spray starch to dry, but luckily, spray starch dries much faster than liquid starch. Just a couple of other supplies are needed in addition to the spray starch and tulle, all of which can be found at any craft store.
Watching the video instructions in this post reveals how simple and easy this ghost craft is. You will need a styrofoam ball and something to hold the ball in place. You can find a styrofoam ball or a half-styrofoam ball (like I used) at any craft store. If you can’t find the 1/2 ball, a fully shaped one will work, or you can cut it in half.
Next, you’ll need something to prop the styrofoam ball on. Something to simply keep it in place. I looked around the house and found this water bottle and decided to use it because the rim is sturdy enough to easy press the styrofoam ball in place. SO SIMPLE! Here is a MAJOR tip you need to keep in mind though: Wrap both the styrofoam bottle and stand in plastic saran wrap.
Tulle Ghost
Also, line your table surface with paper towels or something disposable, maybe newspaper. Put an additional layer of plastic saran wrap below the ghost stand. This plastic wrap is critical because it prevents the tulle from sticking. It makes gently removing the dried ghost form a breeze!
I used 3 foot strips of tulle to create this ghost. The tulle I bought is about 6 inches wide. You can find tulle in a number of different widths and all of them will work:) Also, the strips of tulle you use might not be exactly 3 feet long like mine were. The biggest thing to remember is that you need extra length at the bottom of the ghost to allow the ghost to “stand” in place. If the strips are too short, the ghost will have a hard time standing.
Place a strip of tulle centered around the ghost stand and spray it liberally with a strong hold/heavy starch. Next, place another strip across the ghost evenly (crating an X shape) and then spray that strip liberally with starch. Place the third and fourth strips diagonally (also in an X shape) filling in the space around the ghost. Repeat this process 2 more times for a total of 12 strips. It helps to gently press the top of the tulle down around the round styrofoam ball. Press the ends of the tulle evenly so it will stand once it is dry.
Ghosts Made Out of Tulle
I let my ghost dry overnight. Why? Well, I’m only going to be honest with you, most most special readers. A: I didn’t know how long it would take to try and B: I need the sunlight out to help show pictures of the process (craft pictures in the dark aren’t very helpful LOL!). Something you will want to consider is the weather when you make this. More humid days might require more dry time. A warm and dry fall day might require less dry time. Either way, don’t worry too much and just give it time, I promise it will dry.
Gently remove the dried and stiff tulle away from the saran wrap base and stand (it’s VERY easy to do). Feel free to trim the bottom of the ghost to make it look perfect. Then, decorate your ghost however you like! I used black felt and cut two circle eyes and attached them with hot glue. I think creating taller and shorter ghosts around this one will make the PERFECT display! Add lighting, add bows, or even modify the form to add arms to your ghost… the spooky sky is the limit:)
More Halloween Crafts by Smart School House to Try Next:
-
Toilet Paper Pumpkins
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Ghost Peeps Houses
-
Tea Light Witches
-
Band Aid Cookies
-
Tomato Cage Witch Hat
-
Flamingo Vultures
-
Pretzel Broomsticks
-
Glowing Pumpkin Pails
-
Pumpkin Tea Lights
How to Make a Ghost Out of Tulle
Tulle Ghost
You Will Need
- Spray starch – Heavy hold (found in the laundry aisle of any grocery store)
- White tulle – about 6 inches wide
- Styrofoam ball or 1/2 styrofoam ball (found at any craft store). The 1/2 ball I used was about 5.7 inches
- Plastic saran wrap
- Water bottle or something sturdy to hold the styrofoam ball
Additional Supplies Needed:
- Black craft felt or craft foam for eyes
- Hot glue
- Scissors
- Paper towels or newspaper
Directions
- Prepare your workspace with paper towels or newspaper
- Place a couple of layers of plastic saran wrap over the paper towels. Saran wrap prevents sticking
- Wrap the base (I used a water bottle) and styrofoam ball in plastic saran wrap also. I found the metal rim of the water bottle easy to attach the ball.
- Attach the styrofoam ball to the water bottle base
- Place a 3 foot strip of tulle centered around the ghost stand and spray it liberally with a starch. Keep in mind, they don’t have to be 3 ft. strips! It all depends on the height of the base you’re using.
- Next, place another strip across the ghost evenly (crating an X shape) and then spray that strip liberally with starch
- Place the third and fourth strips diagonally (also in an X shape) filling in the space around the ghost
- Repeat steps 5-7 this process 2 more times for a total of 12 strips – you can always do more for a larger/taller ghost or as needed.
- Gently press the top of the tulle down around the round styrofoam ball
- Press the ends of the tulle evenly around the base so it will stand once it is dry
*See video for visual instructions
