How to Make a Gauze Ghost

This gauzy ghost is a great Halloween hit!

These spooky decorations are a sure hit at any party. Made from simple material, they are easy to do and fun for all ages.

Things You'll Need

• Cheesecloth
• Liquid starch
• Googly eyes
• Aluminum foil or wax paper
• rubber band or twist tie
• Empty plastic bottles of various sizes
• Styrofoam balls of various sizes
• Scissors
• Elmer's glue
• Plastic bucket
• Plastic bag or tarp to cover work surface.
• Fishing line and needle for hanging

Instructions

1. 

   Build the body. Tear off a piece of aluminum foil or wax paper. Twist together in a long rope to make the shoulders and arms. Secure it to the plastic bottle using a rubber band or twist tie. Place a styrofoam ball on the opening of the bottle, pressing down so that the ball is fastened to the top.

2. Cut the cheesecloth into squares. You want the cloth to extend about 2 inches past the length of your plastic bottle and "head." Cut a variety of sizes to give you a family of ghosts.

3. 

   Soak the cheesecloth in the liquid starch. Squeeze excess starch back into the plastic bucket and drape the cheesecloth over the body. Reposition the arms as needed. Arrange the cheesecloth so that it forms a pleasing base drape. Allow it to dry at least overnight.

4. 

   Carefully remove the ghost from body form. This should only be done if the body of the ghost is dry. Carefully correct any flattening that might happen as the head/body is removed. With glue, apply the googly eyes and any other decorations. Cut a ghostly mouth out of black felt and glue it onto the dry ghost. In order to hang, thread a needle with fishing line and stitch it through the top of the head, tying a knot in the line to form a loop.

Tips & Warnings

• Place your ghost over lights to lend an eerie effect.