Holiday Planning & Ideas Halloween Halloween Projects & Crafts Halloween Decorating Ideas How to Make Cheesecloth Ghosts for Your Halloween Decor Give your home a ghoulish presence with this DIY project. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 25, 2023 Close If you're looking for Halloween décor inspiration, look no further than these ghostly cheesecloth spirits. It's one of the easiest DIY fall projects you'll see this season. All you need is cheesecloth, styrofoam mannequin heads (which are available online, at wig shops, and craft stores), a sponge brush, and watered down glue. Layers of cheesecloth are applied to the heads with glue to create eerily realistic ghosts. How you display the decoration is entirely up to you. The heads are freestanding, so you can place them on an end table or mantle and let the cheesecloth dangle. To give the spirits a more realistic look, attach a screw eye with a bit of glue to the top of the head. Thread monofilament through the hook and hang your ghosts anywhere you wish—from your front door, ceiling, and any other area that has the most impact. 33 of Our Best Outdoor Halloween Decoration Ideas What You'll Need Materials Cheesecloth Styrofoam mannequin heads Sponge brush Watered-down glue or fabric stiffener (such as Stiffy) Screw eyes Monofilament Removable adhesive hooks (such as Command brand) or painters' tape, to hang Instructions Apply cheesecloth: Apply a layer of cheesecloth to head, then generously brush over head and face with glue. Use hands to smooth the cloth into the facial features. Don't brush down the neck; stop at chin level so the fabric is loose below that. Add additional layers of cheesecloth: Repeat until you have four layers (each 7 feet long) of cheesecloth. Let dry thoroughly. (No need to dry between layers.) Attach a screw eye to the head: Tatter edges of cloth with scissors if desired. Attach a screw eye with a bit of glue to the top of the head; thread with monofilament to hang from hooks. Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART